The M23 is a busy road. It connects London to the South Coast of England. It goes through places like Gatwick Airport and Crawley. Traffic can be slow because of accidents or roadwork. Knowing what’s happening on the M23 helps you save time. This article, written by Danny D. Houston, a travel writer with five years of experience, tells you how to get live updates, read traffic reports, and use easy tips to drive better on the M23. You’ll learn how to avoid delays and stay safe.
Why You Need M23 Traffic Updates
The M23 is important for many people. Workers use it to get to their jobs. Travelers use it to reach Gatwick Airport. Businesses use it to move goods. But the M23 can get very busy. Accidents, roadwork, or bad weather can make you late. Live updates tell you what’s happening right now. They show if roads are closed or if traffic is slow. This helps you plan your trip and avoid problems.
For example, if an accident blocks the road, you can take another route. If roadwork happens at night, you can drive earlier. Updates make your trip faster and less stressful. They also keep you safe by warning you about dangers like rain or crashes.
How to Find M23 Traffic Live Updates
You can get live updates from many places. These places use cameras, sensors, and driver reports to check the road. Here are five easy ways to stay updated:
- National Highways Website: This is the official site for M23 updates. It tells you about accidents, roadwork, and traffic jams. You can check specific spots like Junction 8 (Reigate) or Junction 9 (Gatwick Airport).
- Google Maps: This app shows traffic right now. It uses colors: green for fast, yellow for slow, and red for very slow. It also shows accidents and suggests other routes.
- Waze: This app uses reports from drivers. It tells you about crashes, police, or roadwork. It’s great for quick updates while driving.
- Local News: Websites like BBC News or Surrey Live share traffic news. They talk about big accidents or weather problems.
- Traffic England: This is another National Highways site. It has live maps and alerts. You can sign up for emails about M23 problems.
Each way is a little different. Google Maps is easy on your phone. National Highways gives official information. Using two or three together gives you the best idea of what’s happening.
What M23 Traffic Reports Tell You
Traffic reports give you important details. They tell you what’s slowing down the M23. For example, on September 10, 2025, a police incident closed all lanes at Junction 8 (Reigate). This caused delays of up to one hour. Reports like this help you decide what to do.
Here’s what traffic reports usually say:
- Where: The exact spot, like between Junction 8 and Junction 9.
- Why: The reason, like a crash or roadwork.
- When It Will End: When the road should be clear, like 12:30 PM on September 10, 2025.
- How Bad: How long you’ll wait, like 15 minutes or one hour.
Knowing these details helps you plan. If roadwork is at Junction 10 (Crawley) from 10 PM to 6 AM, you can drive in the morning instead.
Common Problems on the M23
The M23 has some common issues. Knowing them helps you be ready. Here are the main ones:
Accidents
Crashes can stop traffic fast. Junctions 8 and 9 are places where accidents often happen. For example, on September 10, 2025, a police incident closed lanes between Junction 8 and 9. This made traffic slow. Checking updates before you drive can warn you about crashes.
Roadwork
Roadwork happens a lot on the M23. It’s often at night to avoid big crowds. For example, Junction 10 (Crawley) will close lanes from 10 PM to 6 AM on September 10–12, 2025. Knowing this helps you drive at a better time.
Traffic Jams
The M23 gets very busy from 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM. Junction 8, where the M23 meets the M25, is extra busy. Updates show when traffic is worst. They also suggest other roads to take.
Bad Weather
Rain or fog can make the M23 slippery. On September 10, 2025, heavy rain slowed traffic. Checking weather and traffic updates together keeps you safe.
Easy Tips to Avoid M23 Delays
You can’t stop all traffic, but you can make it better. Here are simple tips to help:
Check Updates First
Look at traffic apps before you leave. Google Maps or Waze show if there’s a delay at Junction 9. If there is, you can take the A23 instead.
Avoid Busy Times
The M23 is crowded from 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM. Try driving before 7 AM or after 7 PM. This makes your trip faster.
Take Other Roads
If the M23 is slow, use roads like the A23 or A264. For example, if Junction 8 is closed, the A217 can get you around it. Apps like Waze show these roads.
Watch Traffic While Driving
Use a hands-free phone to check apps while driving. Google Maps or Waze can tell you about new crashes. If something happens at Junction 10, you can exit early.
Plan for Roadwork
Check the National Highways website for roadwork times. If Junction 10 is closed at night, drive in the day. This keeps you moving.
Drive Safely in Bad Weather
Rain or fog makes roads dangerous. Drive slower and leave space between cars. Check weather apps with traffic apps to be ready.
Why Live Updates Help You
Live updates make driving on the M23 better. They save time, keep you safe, and make trips less stressful. Here’s how:
- Save Time: Updates show delays at Junction 8. You can take a faster road and get there quicker.
- Stay Safe: Knowing about accidents or rain helps you drive carefully. You can avoid dangerous spots.
- Feel Less Stress: Traffic jams are annoying. Updates help you avoid them, so you stay calm.
- Avoid Roadwork: Knowing about closures, like at Junction 10, lets you pick a better time to drive.
These benefits make live updates very important for M23 drivers. They’re especially good for people going to work or Gatwick Airport.
Best Tools for M23 Traffic Updates
Many tools help you track M23 traffic. Here are the best ones:
Google Maps
This app shows traffic with colors. Green means fast, yellow means slow, and red means very slow. It also shows travel times and other routes.
Waze
Waze uses driver reports to share news fast. It tells you about police, crashes, or roadwork. It’s great for updates while driving.
National Highways
This website has official traffic news. It’s good for planning trips. You can sign up for emails about M23 delays.
Traffic England
This site has live maps and alerts. It’s run by National Highways and is easy to use.
Local News
Sites like Surrey Live or BBC News share big traffic news. They’re good for learning about crashes or road closures.
Using two or three of these tools together is best. For example, check National Highways before you leave, then use Waze while driving.
About the M23 and Its History
The M23 is a 23-mile road from London to Crawley, West Sussex. It opened on October 27, 1975. It connects to the M25 at Junction 8 and goes to Gatwick Airport and the A23. It has three main junctions: Junction 8 (Reigate), Junction 9 (Gatwick Airport), and Junction 10 (Crawley).
The M23 is safer now than before. From 2003 to 2018, accidents went from 0.17 to 0.08 per kilometer. Serious injuries dropped from 0.03 to 0.01 per kilometer from 2012 to 2018. Better signs and road care made this happen. But Junction 8 (M25 connection) and Junction 11 (sharp turn) can still be tricky. Updates help you drive these spots safely.
How Traffic Sources Compare
Not all traffic sources are the same. Here’s how they are different:
- National Highways: Best for official news. It’s very accurate but might not update fast.
- Google Maps: Great for quick, colorful maps. It’s easy but might miss small problems.
- Waze: Best for driver reports. It’s fast but depends on what drivers say.
- Local News: Good for big problems, like crashes. It’s not great for live updates.
- Traffic England: Good for maps and alerts. It’s like National Highways but easier to use.
Use National Highways to plan and Waze or Google Maps while driving. This gives you all the information you need.
Extra Tips for M23 Drivers
If you drive the M23 a lot, these tips can help even more:
Use More Than One App
Check Google Maps and Waze together. Google Maps shows traffic flow. Waze tells you about sudden problems, like police stops. Use both before and during your trip.
Get Email Alerts
Sign up for National Highways emails. They tell you about M23 problems before you drive. This is great for long trips or daily drives.
Know Busy Junctions
Junction 8 (M25) and Junction 9 (Gatwick Airport) are very busy. Plan extra time or avoid them during busy hours. For example, Junction 8 had a police incident on September 10, 2025, with long delays.
Watch the Weather
Rain or fog makes the M23 slippery. Use a weather app like AccuWeather with traffic apps. Drive slower in bad weather to stay safe.
Check Roadwork Times
Roadwork often happens at night, like at Junction 10 from 10 PM to 6 AM. Drive in the day to avoid it. Check National Highways for schedules a week ahead.
How to Stay Safe on the M23
Safety is very important on the M23. Here are easy ways to stay safe:
- Don’t Touch Your Phone: Using a phone while driving is against the law without a hands-free kit. You could get a £200 fine and 6 points on your license. Use voice commands or stop to check updates.
- Follow Road Signs: Roadwork, like at Junction 10, has clear signs. Stay in your lane and merge slowly to avoid crashes.
- Drive Slowly in Jams: If traffic is slow, keep space from the car in front. This gives you time to stop.
- Be Careful at Junctions: Junction 8 and 11 are hard to drive. Slow down and signal early to be safe.
These tips keep you safe and avoid trouble.
Planning a Long M23 Trip
Long trips on the M23 need extra planning. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Check Traffic Early
Look at National Highways or Traffic England a day before. See if there’s roadwork, like at Junction 10 on September 10–12, 2025.
Step 2: Choose a Good Time
Don’t drive from 7–9 AM or 4–7 PM. Early morning or late evening is better.
Step 3: Plan Your Route
Use Google Maps or Waze to map your trip. Save other roads, like the A23, in case of problems.
Step 4: Stay Updated
Keep an app open (hands-free) while driving. If a crash happens at Junction 9, you can change your route fast.
Step 5: Check the Weather
Look at the weather forecast. If rain is coming, leave extra time and drive slowly.
This plan makes your trip easy and fast.
Conclusion
Knowing M23 traffic live helps you drive better. Use apps like Google Maps, Waze, and National Highways to see what’s happening. Check reports for accidents, roadwork, or traffic jams before you go. Use easy tips, like avoiding busy times or taking other roads, to save time. Whether you’re going to work or Gatwick Airport, updates keep you safe and calm. Plan ahead and use trusted tools to make your M23 trip smooth.
Disclaimer: This article is only for help. Traffic can change anytime. Always check official sites before you travel. We are not responsible for any problems. This is not a promo or affiliate article.
