M1 Junction 42: Lofthouse (M62, A61, A654)

Map of M1 Junction 42: Lofthouse — M1 Junction 42: Lofthouse. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Junction 42 at Lofthouse is where the M1 meets the M62, the motorway across the Pennines between Hull and Liverpool. It is one of the busiest junctions in Yorkshire, and an incident on either motorway can hold up both. Robin Hood, Lofthouse and Thorpe-on-the-Hill are beside it, and Rothwell is about two miles north-east. Rothwell Country Park is about two and a half miles north-east.

This is where the M1 and the M62 meet, so hauliers, commuters and people crossing the Pennines all pass through it. Check this page and both motorways' news before you set off.

Crossing the Pennines? M62 Junction 29 ↗ (opens in a new tab) on our M62 site covers this same interchange from the M62 side, with the live speed strip both ways.

Check this junction now: live M1 speed flow map · latest M1 traffic news · M1 serious incidents · M1 accidents

M1 Junction 42 Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks

Live traffic news at M1 Junction 42

Incidents and roadworks between Junction 41 and Junction 43 that we are aware of.

M1 northbound Jct 41 to Jct 42 lane 1, 2 and 3 closure (298/3 - 299/1)

Active nowRoadworksNorthbound

Time now: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 22:02 (10:02pm)

21:50 (9:50pm)21 Oct 2026reported 11 min ago

Location: M1 northbound between J40 and J41
Direction: Northbound
Lanes closed: Lane closures
Reason: Maintenance work
Schedule: 20:00 (8pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026 → 06:00 (6am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

⏳Expected to clear in ~7h 57m HA planned end: 06:00 (6am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

+ 6 more near Junction 42 - see all the M1 traffic news →

This is the news for Junction 42 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 22:02 (10:02pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026

Live Traffic Speeds at M1 Junction 42

The speed strip below shows the M1 around this junction, both directions, from National Highways’ live data, checked every five minutes.

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60 mph +50–5930–4915–29under 15

closedM62connecting motorwayA6A road👈M1our site: tap for its map

services, on the side you can reach them

crashincidentqueueroadworksspeed limitspeed shown on the signsstop-startoverhead sign

reported by drivers, which can’t always be relied onconfirmed by National Highways

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Go to our live M1 traffic speed flow map ›

In an emergency call 999. To report a problem on a motorway, call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 (24 hours).

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 J42 in Our Records

Incidents here, last 13 days32 collisions, 1 breakdown or obstruction

Typical time to clearabout 2 hoursthe middle value of 3 cleared

Slowest daytime hour northbound07:00–08:00average 54 mph (typical 49 mph)

Slowest daytime hour southbound16:00–17:00average 58 mph (typical 58 mph)

More than half of the incidents we recorded at J42 were collisions (2 of 3). Northbound, traffic has been running faster than its typical speed, even in its slowest daytime hour (07:00). Southbound, traffic usually keeps close to its typical speed through the day; the slowest hour is 16:00.

Average speed by hour of day at J42

our average, last 12 daysNational Highways’ typical speed

Northbound

Southbound

Incidents per week at J42

collisionsbreakdowns and obstructions* part week: we started recording during it

The latest 3 here

Fri 16 Oct, 16:03 (4:03pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J41 and J42
✓ Cleared after about 124 minutes (2.07 hours)
Thu 15 Oct, 16:15 (4:15pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 southbound between junctions J44 and J42
✓ Cleared after about 53 minutes
Wed 14 Oct, 18:41 (6:41pm) Broken Down Vehicle ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 southbound between junctions J42 and J41
✓ Cleared after about 268 minutes (4.47 hours)

Built from our own records of National Highways’ live data for the M1 either side of J42: speeds from 12 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 J42, Lofthouse
Roads at this junction M62, A61, A654
Nearest town Rothwell, 1.9 miles north-east
Junction before J41, Carrgate, about 1.5 miles in a straight line
Junction after J44, Rothwell Haigh, about 2.3 miles in a straight line

Around M1 Junction 42: Lofthouse: Towns and Places on the Map

Map of the area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 42: Lofthouse, showing the towns, villages, roads and places to visit — The area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 42. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Places on the Map Near M1 Junction 42
Place	What it is	From the junction
Middleton District Shopping Center	Shopping	About 1 mile north-west
Outwood	Railway station	About 1.5 miles south
Park Halt	Railway station	About 2 miles north-west
Fieldhead Hospital	Hospital	About 2.5 miles south
Rothwell Country Park	Park or nature reserve	About 2.5 miles north-east
Middleton Railway Museum	Attraction	About 3 miles north
Cottingley	Railway station	About 4 miles north-west
Temple Newsam House	Attraction	About 4 miles north-east