M1 Junction 8: Breakspears (A414, A4147)

Map of M1 Junction 8: Breakspears — M1 Junction 8: Breakspears. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Junction 8 is the turn for Hemel Hempstead to the west and St Albans, almost three miles east, on the A414 and the A4147. Leverstock Green is right beside it. Old Gorhambury House is about a mile north-east, and The Hypocaust, the Roman bath house in Verulamium Park, about two miles east. Apsley station and The Paper Mill Museum are on the Hemel side.

Hemel Hempstead's Maylands business area and St Albans both rely on this junction, so office workers, van drivers and sales reps all use it. Here are the map, the junctions either side and our records.

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

M1 Junction 8 Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks

Live traffic news at M1 Junction 8

Incidents and roadworks between Junction 7 and Junction 9 that we are aware of.

M1 southbound Approach to Jct 9 lane 4,3,2 closure (MP 46/5 to 45/7)

Active nowRoadworksSouthbound

Time now: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 21:57 (9:57pm)

21:50 (9:50pm)21 Oct 2026reported 6 min ago

Location: M1 southbound between J10 and J9
Direction: Southbound
Lanes closed: Lane closures
Reason: Construction work
Schedule: 21:00 (9pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026 → 05:00 (5am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

⏳Expected to clear in ~7h 02m HA planned end: 05:00 (5am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

+ 2 more near Junction 8 - see all the M1 traffic news →

This is the news for Junction 8 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 8

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 J8 in Our Records

Incidents here, last 13 days44 collisions, 0 breakdowns or obstructions

Typical time to clear64 minutesthe middle value of 4 cleared

Slowest daytime hour northbound17:00–18:00average 41 mph (typical 46 mph)

Slowest daytime hour southbound14:00–15:00average 49 mph (typical 60 mph)

All 4 incidents we recorded at J8 in the last 13 days were collisions. Northbound, the slowest daytime hour is 17:00, about 5 mph below the typical speed. Southbound, the slowest daytime hour is 14:00, about 11 mph below the typical speed.

Average speed by hour of day at J8

our average, last 13 daysNational Highways’ typical speed

Northbound

Southbound

Incidents per week at J8

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

The latest 4 here

Sat 17 Oct, 12:12 (12:12pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 southbound between junctions J8 and J6
✓ Cleared after about 64 minutes (1.07 hours)
Mon 12 Oct, 14:40 (2:40pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 southbound between junctions J8 and J6
✓ Cleared after about 9 minutes
Sun 11 Oct, 20:40 (8:40pm) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J6 and J8
✓ Cleared after about 44 minutes
Sat 10 Oct, 11:46 (11:46am) Collision ✓Reported by National Highways
M1 northbound between junctions J8 and J9
✓ Cleared after about 91 minutes (1.52 hours)

Built from our own records of National Highways’ live data for the M1 either side of J8: 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 J8, Breakspears
Roads at this junction A414, A4147
Nearest town St Albans, 2.9 miles east
Junction before J6A, Chiswell, about 1.5 miles in a straight line
Junction after J9, Friar's Wash, about 5.2 miles in a straight line

Around M1 Junction 8: Breakspears: Towns and Places on the Map

Map of the area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 8: Breakspears, showing the towns, villages, roads and places to visit — The area within about 5 miles of M1 Junction 8. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

Places on the Map Near M1 Junction 8
Place	What it is	From the junction
Old Gorhambury House	Historic house or castle	About 1 mile north-east
The Hypocaust	Attraction	About 2 miles east
The Heights Shopping Centre	Shopping	About 2.5 miles north-west
Apsley	Railway station	About 2.5 miles west
St Albans City Hospital	Hospital	About 3 miles east
The Paper Mill Museum	Attraction	About 3 miles west
Childwickbury Manor	Historic house or castle	About 3.5 miles north-east
Millennium Maze	Attraction	About 4.5 miles east