M1 Junction 1: Staples Corner (A5, A41, A406, A504)
Junction 1 is Staples Corner, where the M1 begins in north-west London. The motorway ends here at the A406 North Circular, with the A5 Edgware Road running across it. Brent Cross and Hendon Central are right beside the junction, and Brent Cross station is about a mile east. Expect slow traffic at most times of day: this is where long-distance traffic from the north meets London's own roads.
Hendon and Cricklewood residents, shoppers at Brent Cross, and anyone heading out of London to visit family in the north start their M1 journey here. A hold-up at this end backs straight up the motorway, so it is worth a look before you set off.
Check this junction now: live M1 speed flow map · latest M1 traffic news · M1 serious incidents · M1 accidents
M1 Junction 1 Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks
Live traffic news at M1 Junction 1
This is the news for Junction 1 only, not the whole M1. For the rest of the motorway see all the latest M1 traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.
Updated 21:57 (9:57pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026
Live Traffic Speeds at M1 Junction 1
The speed strip below shows the M1 around this junction, both directions, from National Highways’ live data, checked every five minutes.
Untick all three to see just the speeds. We show the important overhead signs and the mandatory speed limits (red ring); see every overhead sign.
Go to our live M1 traffic speed flow map ›
NOTE: The speed flow, overhead sign messages or other information shown on our live traffic speed flow map is updated every few minutes. We cross check the data and aim to provide warnings if there could be a delay or an inaccurate speed reading. There can be occasions, beyond our control, and despite our best efforts where the speed flow could be inaccurate. We cannot therefore guarantee the speed you can expect on any stretch of the motorway is always accurately shown. However we hope you will find our live traffic speed flow map a useful tool in trying to plan your journey. Safe driving.
All the latest M1 traffic news →Live M1 traffic speed flow map →
M1 J1 in Our Records
The one incident we recorded at J1 in the last 13 days was a collision. Northbound, traffic usually keeps close to its typical speed through the day; the slowest hour is 11:00. Southbound, the slowest daytime hour is 07:00, about 5 mph below the typical speed.
Average speed by hour of day at J1
Northbound
Southbound
Incidents per week at J1
The latest 1 here
- Mon 19 Oct, 21:34 (9:34pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J1 and J5
✓ Cleared after about 77 minutes (1.28 hours)
Built from our own records of National Highways’ live data for the M1 either side of J1: speeds from 13 days of five-minute readings, incidents from the last 13 days (we started recording incidents on 09/10/2026). Each incident is counted once. Updated every five minutes.
- Junction M1 J1, Staples Corner
- Roads at this junction A5, A41, A406, A504
- Nearest town Willesden, 1.9 miles south
- Junction after J2, Five Ways Corner, about 2.1 miles in a straight line
Around M1 Junction 1: Staples Corner: Towns and Places on the Map
| Place | What it is | From the junction |
|---|---|---|
| Hendon | Railway station | Under a mile north-west |
| Brent Cross | Railway station | About 1 mile east |
| Hangar 1 | Attraction | About 1.5 miles north |
| Golders Hill Park Zoo | Attraction | About 2 miles east |
| StoneX Stadium | Venue | About 2 miles north |
| Lime Avenue replanting | Attraction | About 3 miles east |
| Pet's corner | Attraction | About 3 miles south |
| Freud Museum London | Attraction | About 3 miles south-east |
