M40 motorway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids M40 motorway
Route information
Part of
Maintained by Highways England
Length	89.0 mi (143.2 km)
Existed	1967–present
History	Opened: 1967 Completed: 1991
Major junctions
Southeast end	Denham
	J1a → M25 motorway M42 motorway
Northwest end	Tanworth in Arden
Location
Counties:	Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire
Primary destinations:	London Uxbridge Beaconsfield High Wycombe Oxford Banbury Leamington Spa Warwick Birmingham
Road network
Roads in the United Kingdom Motorways A and B road zones ← M32 M42 →

The M40 motorway is an important road in the United Kingdom. It connects Denham, which is close to London, with Solihull, near Birmingham. This motorway is about 89 miles (143 kilometers) long.

The M40 was built in different parts over many years. Construction started in 1967 and the whole road was finished in 1991. It helps people travel between the capital city, London, and the big city of Birmingham.

Connecting Roads: M40 Junctions

The M40 motorway has many exits, called junctions. These junctions connect the M40 to other major roads and towns. They help drivers get on and off the motorway to reach their destinations.

Key Junctions and What They Connect To

• Junction 1 is where the M40 starts near London. It connects to the A40 road, which goes into London.
• Junction 1a is a very busy spot. It links the M40 to the M25 motorway, which is a large ring road around London. This junction also helps drivers reach places like Heathrow Airport.
• Junction 2 takes you to Beaconsfield and Slough. There's also a service station here called Beaconsfield services, where drivers can stop for a break.
• Junction 4 is important for reaching High Wycombe and Marlow. It also connects to the A404, which can lead to the M4 motorway.
• Junction 9 connects to Bicester and the A41. It also provides access to Oxford and the A34, which goes towards Newbury.
• Junction 10 is near Northampton and the A43. This junction is also close to Silverstone, famous for its motor racing circuit. Cherwell Valley services is another place to stop here.
• Junction 11 leads to Banbury and the A422.
• Junction 15 is a major junction for Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon. It also connects to the A46, which can take you towards Coventry and Leicester.
• Junction 17 is where the M40 ends near Birmingham. It connects directly to the M42 motorway. From here, drivers can reach other motorways like the M5 motorway and the M6 motorway.

Images for kids

• 

  M40 junction 3 heading west

• 

  Stokenchurch Gap cutting through the Chiltern Hills

• 

  M40 at Burtley Wood, Buckinghamshire

• 

  M40 at Warmington, Warwickshire

See also

In Spanish: Autopista M40 para niños