Alternative Routes to Manchester Airport When M62 is Blocked

Picture this: you’re racing to catch your flight from Manchester Airport when those dreaded overhead signs flash “M62 CLOSED.” Finding alternative routes to Manchester Airport when the M62 is blocked can mean the difference between making your flight and missing it entirely. I’ve been there, and it’s not pleasant.

After navigating these situations countless times over the past eight years (both as a frequent flyer and logistics coordinator), I’ve learned that knowing your backup routes isn’t just helpful; it can save your entire trip. The M62 serves as a crucial east-west artery through Northern England, and when it closes, the ripple effects hit Manchester Airport harder than most people realize.

Why the M62 Closure Hits Airport Traffic So Hard

The M62 connects directly to the M60 at Junction 18, which then feeds onto the M56 straight to the airport. When this link breaks, roughly 40,000 daily vehicles need rerouting. I learned this the hard way during a January closure in 2024 when my usual 45-minute journey ballooned to two hours because I blindly followed my satnav down congested A-roads.

Most closures happen for three reasons: planned overnight maintenance (typically 9pm to 6am), accidents during peak hours (7am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm), or severe weather events. The M62 eastbound between Junctions 18 and 19 near Middleton has become particularly notorious for congestion spillover when diversions activate.

The Four Core Alternative Routes (And When to Use Each)

Route 1: The M6-M56 Southern Sweep

Best for: Travellers from Liverpool, Wales, or the Midlands

This is my go-to when the M62’s blocked. From the M6, exit at Junction 19 and take the A556 eastbound, which merges directly onto the M56. Continue to Junction 5 for the airport.

Real-world timing: Expect 35-50 minutes from Junction 19 to the airport in normal traffic. During rush hour, add 20 minutes.

Pro tip: The A556 improvement completed in recent years means this route now handles heavy traffic far better than it did five years ago. However, the M56 Junction 6 to Junction 5 stretch still queues during school run times (8am to 8.45am).

Route 2: The M60 Western Arc

Best for: Those coming from Bolton, Bury, or North Manchester

Use the M61 or M66 to join the M60, then exit at Junction 4 onto the westbound M56. It sounds straightforward, but Junction 12 (the Worsley Interchange) can become a bottleneck.

I’ve tested this route during various times, and Wednesday afternoons between 2pm and 4pm tend to flow surprisingly well. Avoid Fridays after 3pm like the plague; the combination of weekend getaway traffic and Trafford Centre shoppers creates gridlock.

Route 3: The A-Road Backups (A57 and A6)

Best for: Locals who know the area or when motorways are completely jammed

When motorways fail spectacularly (which happened during that massive M6 closure in early January 2026), the A57 through Mottram and Denton offers a genuine alternative. It connects to the M60 at Junction 24, then you follow the standard route via Junction 4 to the M56.

The A6 through Stockport provides another option, though it’s slower. It’s only worth considering if you’re already in South Manchester and both the M60 and M56 are problematic.

Reality check: These A-roads add 25-40 minutes compared to motorway routes and involve multiple traffic lights. Factor this into your airport arrival time.

Route 4: The Public Transport Pivot

Here’s something most driving guides ignore: sometimes ditching the car entirely makes sense. If you’re stuck in Salford, Leeds, or Huddersfield when the M62 closes, the train network to Manchester Airport remains unaffected.

The TransPennine Express from Leeds takes 55 minutes and runs every 30 minutes. From Huddersfield, you’re looking at 40 minutes. I’ve used this bailout option twice, and yes, it means leaving your car behind, but missing a flight costs far more than a taxi fare to retrieve it later.

Quick Decision Matrix: Which Route When?

What Nobody Tells You About Diversion Routes

National Highways posts official diversion routes, but here’s the insider knowledge: these diversions assume you’re a lorry driver who can’t use certain roads. If you’re in a standard car, you’ve got more flexibility.

The official M62 closure diversion sends traffic up the M6 to use the northbound approach via the M62 western section. But I’ve found that during weekday mornings, staying on the M60’s southern section and approaching from the west cuts 15 minutes off this route.

Also, those electronic signs showing “Manchester Airport 45 mins” during closures? Pure optimism. Double whatever time they display during peak hours.

The Timing Game: When to Leave

After tracking journey times across 30+ trips during various closures, here’s my tested framework:

I once left four hours early for a Friday evening flight during planned M62 works and arrived with three hours to spare. Painful? Yes. Better than missing the flight? Absolutely.

Five Things That Saved Me During Closures

1. Real-time traffic apps beat satnav – Waze and the National Highways app show live incident data that your car’s GPS won’t have for another 15 minutes.
2. Manchester Airport’s own traffic updates – Check their website before leaving; they post warnings when major route closures affect airport access.
3. The 4am loophole – If your flight’s early enough, leaving between 3.30am and 5am means you’ll miss all closure-related congestion. Roadworks continue, but traffic’s nonexistent.
4. JetParks 1 as a meeting point – If you’re picking someone up during chaos, this free drop-off location with shuttle service beats circling the terminals.
5. Junction 5 westbound slip road trick – When eastbound M56 is closed but westbound isn’t, some drivers exit at Junction 3a, loop back westbound, and use the westbound exit at Junction 5. Only works during specific closure configurations, but it’s saved me twice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the M62’s closed before I set off?

Check the National Highways website, their Twitter (@HighwaysNWEST), or the Traffic England app. Local radio stations BBC Radio Manchester and Key 103 provide updates every 15 minutes during peak times. I’ve found Twitter’s the fastest for breaking incidents.

Will my satnav automatically reroute me?

Sometimes yes, sometimes catastrophically no. Modern systems like Google Maps and Waze update quickly, but built-in car navigation can be 20 minutes behind. Always check manually before relying on automatic rerouting.

What happens to airport shuttle buses during M62 closures?

Coach services from Leeds, Bradford, and Huddersfield factor in potential delays and typically leave earlier when closures are planned. Check with your specific operator; most post amended timetables.

Is the M60 reliable as an alternative?

The M60’s own congestion problems mean it’s not always better. Junctions 18 (where M62 joins), 12 (Worsley), and 10 (Trafford Centre) are particular trouble spots. The eastern section between Junctions 20-24 generally flows better.

Should I use A-roads or wait out motorway traffic?

If motorway traffic’s moving at all, stay on it. A-roads through Greater Manchester involve dozens of traffic lights. Only bail to A-roads if you’re genuinely stationary for 20+ minutes.

Can I reach Terminal 2 differently than Terminals 1 and 3?

All terminals use the same Junction 5 M56 exit. There’s no secret backdoor route; they’re all accessed via the same Airport Spur road.

How reliable are the time estimates on overhead signs?

Assume they’re optimistic by 25-50%. They update every few minutes but can’t account for incidents that haven’t happened yet or secondary congestion from diversions.

Your Action Plan Right Now

Before your next Manchester Airport trip, screenshot these three junction numbers: M6 J19, M60 J4, and M56 J5. These are your lifeline points.

Store the National Highways phone line in your contacts: 0300 123 5000. During major incidents, they provide better routing advice than automated systems.

And here’s my final piece of hard-won wisdom: the stress of potentially missing a flight far outweighs the boredom of arriving early. When the M62’s playing up, embrace being that person who arrives two hours before a domestic flight. Your blood pressure will thank you.

The Manchester road network’s improving year by year, but when the M62 closes, it’s still a system under strain. Knowing these alternatives won’t just get you to your gate on time; it’ll preserve your sanity in the process.

For reliable Manchester Airport taxi services or affordable airport transport, consider booking with RideX Taxis to eliminate driving stress entirely.

Good riding, and may the road begin to meet you soon!