Dartford Crossing Times: When It is Free, When to Avoid, and Live Traffic
The Dartford Crossing is free between 10pm and 6am every day. During charged hours (6am-10pm), the standard car rate is £3.50. But beyond the charge itself, knowing when to cross to avoid heavy congestion can save you significant time. This guide covers the charge schedule, a detailed congestion breakdown by day and time, the best and worst times to cross, and links to live traffic information.
Dart Charge Hours
The Dart Charge applies every day of the year without exception. There are no free days, bank holiday exemptions, or seasonal variations. The only free period is between 10pm and 6am. This simple two-tier system has been in place since the barrier-free Dart Charge system launched in November 2014, replacing the old toll barriers that operated 24 hours a day.
| Period | Hours | Car Charge | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charged period | 6:00 AM — 10:00 PM | £3.50 | Charge applies |
| Free period | 10:00 PM — 6:00 AM | £0.00 | FREE |
Applies 7 days a week, 365 days a year — including weekends, bank holidays, and Christmas Day. With a pre-pay account, the charged-period rate drops to £2.80 for cars.
Congestion Guide by Day and Time
The Dartford Crossing carries over 130,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the busiest road crossings in the UK. Congestion varies significantly depending on the day of the week, the time of day, and the direction of travel. The table below provides a detailed breakdown based on typical traffic patterns. Keep in mind that incidents, roadworks, and special events can cause additional delays beyond these estimates.
| Time Period | Direction | Congestion Level | Typical Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday 6-7am | Both | Light | 5-10 mins |
| Weekday 7-9am | Southbound | Heavy | 20-45 mins |
| Weekday 9am-3pm | Both | Moderate | 5-15 mins |
| Weekday 4-7pm | Northbound | Very Heavy | 30-60+ mins |
| Friday 3-8pm | Both | Worst | 45-90+ mins |
| Saturday 10am-4pm | Both | Moderate-Heavy | 15-30 mins |
| Sunday | Both | Light-Moderate | 5-15 mins |
| 10pm-6am | Both | Free + Empty | 0 mins |
Best Times to Cross the Dartford Crossing
If you have flexibility in your travel schedule, choosing the right time to cross can save you both money and significant time sitting in traffic. Here are the best times to cross, ranked from best to good.
10pm — 6am (any day)
Free and virtually empty. Zero charge, zero delays. The undisputed best time to cross if your schedule allows it.
Save £3.50 + up to 90 minutes
Sunday morning (before 10am)
Charged period but minimal traffic. Light delays of 5 minutes or less in either direction.
Save up to 85 minutes vs Friday peak
Weekday 6-7am
Early enough to beat the rush. Light traffic in both directions. You pay the charge but avoid significant delays.
Save up to 50 minutes vs morning peak
Weekday 9:30am — 3pm
Between the morning and evening peaks. Moderate traffic with delays typically under 15 minutes.
Save up to 45 minutes vs evening peak
Saturday early morning or evening
Saturday traffic peaks from 10am-4pm. Before 9am or after 6pm is significantly quieter.
Save up to 30 minutes vs Saturday peak
Worst Times to Cross — Avoid If Possible
These are the times when traffic congestion at the Dartford Crossing is at its worst. If you have any flexibility at all, rescheduling by even an hour or two can dramatically reduce your journey time. Delays during these periods are not unusual — they are the norm.
Friday 3pm — 8pm (both directions)
The worst time of the entire week. Delays of 45 to 90+ minutes are common as weekend getaway traffic combines with regular commuter traffic. The QE2 Bridge and both tunnels can be at standstill for extended periods. If possible, cross before 2pm or after 9pm on Fridays.
Weekday 4pm — 7pm (northbound)
The evening rush hour northbound (Kent to Essex) is consistently heavy, with delays of 30 to 60+ minutes. The QE2 Bridge approach can queue back several miles. If you commute northbound, consider the 10pm free period or an earlier departure.
Weekday 7am — 9am (southbound)
The morning rush southbound (Essex to Kent) through the tunnels sees heavy congestion with delays of 20 to 45 minutes. The tunnel approaches can queue back significantly, especially if there are any incidents or lane closures.
Bank Holidays and School Holidays
Bank holidays and school holidays significantly affect traffic patterns at the Dartford Crossing. While the charge still applies during standard hours (there is no bank holiday exemption), the traffic patterns shift. The Friday before a bank holiday weekend is typically the busiest single day of the year, with delays exceeding those of a normal Friday. The bank holiday Monday itself tends to be moderate in the morning but builds through the afternoon as people return home.
School holidays (particularly the summer half-term in late May and the six weeks from mid-July to early September) see increased leisure traffic, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. The pattern shifts slightly from commuter-heavy to leisure-heavy, which means midweek traffic is lighter than term time but weekend and Friday traffic is heavier. If you are planning a trip during school holidays, consider crossing very early in the morning, late in the evening, or during the free period to avoid the worst of the holiday traffic.
Bridge Closures and Tunnel Maintenance
The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge (southbound) is closed when sustained wind speeds exceed 60 mph. When this happens, southbound traffic is diverted through the tunnels, which means both directions share the two tunnels. This causes severe delays in both directions and can add hours to your journey. Bridge closures are most common during autumn and winter storms.
Tunnel maintenance is typically carried out overnight during the free period (10pm-6am) to minimise disruption. One tunnel is closed while the other handles two-way traffic. Overnight closures are usually announced in advance on the National Highways website and social media channels. Major maintenance requiring daytime closures is rare but does occasionally happen, usually during school holidays when traffic volumes are slightly lower.
To check for current closures or planned maintenance, visit the National Highways website or check their social media accounts. Google Maps and Waze also show real-time closure information. If you know a closure is in effect, consider using an alternative route instead.
Live Traffic Resources
Before setting off, check the current traffic situation using one of these live traffic services. Real-time information can help you decide whether to go now, wait, or take an alternative route.
Google Maps
Real-time traffic overlay. Search for 'Dartford Crossing' to see current delays and estimated journey times.
Waze
Community-powered traffic data with incident reports, police alerts, and real-time speed information.
National Highways
Official roadworks and closure information. The authoritative source for planned maintenance and bridge closures.
Traffic England
Real-time motorway camera feeds, journey time estimates, and incident reports for the strategic road network.
Pro Tip: Cross Between 10pm and 6am
If your journey allows it, crossing between 10pm and 6am is the ultimate money-saving and time-saving strategy. You save £3.50 per crossing (or £2.80 if you have a pre-pay account), and you will face zero congestion. For regular commuters who work flexible hours, shifting your crossing time to the free period can save over £900 per year on a five-day commute schedule, plus hundreds of hours of sitting in traffic. Even shifting to 10pm from an 8pm crossing saves both money and time.
Planning a London Day Trip?
If you are heading into London after crossing, check out our guide to London Eye costs for the latest 2026 ticket prices and money-saving tips.