Updated 24 March 2026
Dartford Crossing Times: When It Is Free and When to Avoid
Cross between 10pm and 6am and pay nothing. Here are the best and worst times to use the crossing.
Charge Hours
| Time | Charge Applies? | Cost (Car) |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00am - 10:00pm | Yes | £2.50 (or £2.00 pre-pay) |
| 10:00pm - 6:00am | No - FREE | £0 |
This applies every day including weekends and bank holidays. There is no separate weekend rate.
Traffic Congestion Guide
| Day / Time | Congestion | Typical Delay |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday 6-7am | Light | 5-10 mins |
| Weekday 7-9am (southbound) | Heavy | 20-45 mins |
| Weekday 9am-3pm | Moderate | 5-15 mins |
| Weekday 4-7pm (northbound) | Very heavy | 30-60+ mins |
| Friday 3-8pm | Worst of the week | 45-90+ mins |
| Saturday 10am-4pm | Moderate to heavy | 15-30 mins |
| Sunday | Light to moderate | 5-15 mins |
| 10pm-6am (any day) | Free flowing + FREE | 0 mins |
Best Times to Cross
- • 10pm-6am: Free and no traffic. Ideal if your schedule allows.
- • Early morning (6-7am): Light traffic, charge applies but no queues.
- • Mid-morning (9:30-11:30am): Rush hour over, moderate flow.
- • Early afternoon (1-3pm): Generally good flow.
- • Sunday morning: Light traffic all morning.
Worst Times to Cross
- • Friday 3-8pm: Commuters + weekend getaway traffic. Can be 90+ minutes.
- • Weekday 4-7pm northbound: Essex-bound commuters. Regular 30-60 minute delays.
- • Bank holiday weekends: Saturday morning and Monday afternoon are gridlocked.
- • Any incident: One breakdown or accident can cause 2+ hour delays. Check traffic before leaving.
Live Traffic Check
Before crossing, check live conditions on Google Maps, Waze, or National Highways (trafficengland.com). A 5-minute check can save you an hour sitting in traffic.
Pro tip: If you can cross between 10pm and 6am, you save the £2.50 charge AND avoid all traffic. For a family crossing twice (there and back), that is £5 saved and potentially 2 hours of delay avoided.
See all Dartford Crossing costs and options
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