Revealed: The best and worst motorway service stations

Consumer Editor

4 minute read|11th Nov 2026

The Rotherham Welcome Break service station on the M1 has been voted the best motorway service area in the UK.

Conducted by independent watchdog Transport Focus, the annual survey of 37,000 visitors to motorway services across Great Britain analysed the condition and accessibility of facilities, toilets, food and drink options, and the availability and condition of electric vehicle charging facilities.

The survey also looked at facilities for HGV and commercial drivers.

Overall, motorway service areas received stronger ratings than ever, with 95% of drivers saying they were satisfied with their experience.

This has risen steadily from 94% in 2023 and 93% in 2022, while 67% now describe themselves as very satisfied.

Rotherham’s Welcome Break and Moto’s Rugby and Sawtry services led this year’s rankings, while Sarn Park in Wales and Kinross in Scotland rounded out the top five. Each achieved an impressive 99% satisfaction rating.

Despite the overall growth in satisfaction, the survey also highlighted the five worst-performing sites.

Watford Gap Northbound sits at the bottom of this year’s rankings, with satisfaction falling from 95% in 2023 to 86%. Despite the decline, more than eight in 10 visitors still reported a positive experience.

Louise Collins, Director at Transport Focus, said: “Motorway services have improved significantly over the years, and road users are seeing the benefit.

“A good stop can make a real difference to a journey, helping people get back on the road feeling better than when they arrived. Rotherham’s debut at the top of the table and the turnaround at Hartshead Moor Eastbound show what good services can offer.

“We’ve also seen real progress on accessibility. It shows what can be achieved when the industry recognises an issue and works together to tackle it. There is still more to do, including on car parking, wayfinding and facilities for HGV drivers, and our survey will help us track progress in these areas in the years ahead.”

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Top 5 highest rated motorway services

Rotherham (Welcome Break)
Rugby (Moto)
Sawtry (Moto)
Sarn Park (Welcome Break)
Kinross (Moto)

Top 5 lowest rated motorway services

Watford Gap Northbound (Roadchef)
Bothwell (Roadchef)
Taunton Deane Southbound (Roadchef)
Sedgemoor Northbound (Welcome Break)
Watford Gap Southbound (Roadchef)

^{Note: Each motorway service area, including the 37 which are in pairs on either side of the road, were treated individually in the survey. This means that results can be different for north and south, or east and westbound services at the same location. Fieldwork for the 2026 survey was conducted between 13 May and 5 July 2026 across 123 MSAs throughout Great Britain. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with visitors as they exited each MSA.}

Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*

Cheaper than AA or we'll beat it by 20%^{^}