Technically, no. The original M25 was shorter. When it first opened in 1975, it was just a broken necklace of motorways. The full loop wasn’t completed until 1986. And even then, the Dartford Crossing isn’t technically motorway—it’s a trunk road. So purists say the M25 is only 116.5 miles. But honestly? Who’s counting when you’re stuck in a jam near the M11 interchange? You’re not measuring miles; you’re measuring sanity.
Also, did you know the M25 has 31 junctions? That’s a lot of opportunities to get lost. Junction 1 is near Dartford and it goes all the way to Junction 31 at Thurrock (yes, it loops back on itself). So if you miss your exit, don’t panic. You’ll see it again in about two hours. That’s both comforting and terrifying.
M25 drivers face miles of jams as motorway closes for four days with
Why do we obsess over these miles?
Because the M25 is a personality test. If you tell someone you drove the full loop, they look at you with either awe or pity. “Why would you do that?!” they cry. And you shrug, because the answer is always the same: I had to get somewhere. Those 117 miles represent choice and fate. You choose to enter, but the road decides when you leave.
Oh, and a quick warning: never trust your car’s GPS when it says “117 miles to destination” on the M25. Because at 5 PM, that number is a lie. It’s actually 117 miles of traffic, 15 miles of frustration, and 8 miles of “why did I eat that gas station sandwich?”.
So, to wrap this up: the M25 is 117 miles long on paper. But in your heart, it’s either a quick hop or a lifetime journey. It’s the road that unites London and divides its patience. Next time you’re on it, remember: you’re not just driving a loop. You’re driving history. Or, more likely, you’re just trying to get to Basingstoke. Same thing, really.
