The A66 is one of the UK’s key trans-Pennine routes, running around 50 miles from
Penrith in Cumbria to Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire, where it meets the A1(M).
Along the way it passes through Kemplay Bank, Temple Sowerby, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Brough, Bowes and the high, exposed Stainmore Pass before dropping down towards
Scotch Corner. It’s the main link between the M6, the Lake District and the A1, carrying a heavy mix of local, tourist and freight traffic.
Much of the route is still single carriageway, and it’s currently the focus of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project — a major National Highways scheme to dual the remaining sections between Penrith and Scotch Corner.
Between the dualling works and the road’s exposure to high winds and snow over Stainmore, the A66 sees more than its share of planned roadworks and weather-related closures.
A66 Road Closures: Next 7 Days
The scale of the Trans-Pennine upgrade means the A66 is subject to regular overnight and weekend closures, alongside standard resurfacing and safety works. We compile and update details of planned A66 road closures and roadworks for the week ahead to help you plan your journey in advance and avoid unnecessary delays.
| Road number
| Direction
| Location
| Scheduled start date
| Scheduled end date
| Closure details, including diversions
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|---|
| Loading live closures…
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This data was provided by National Highways and was updated on this page at 06:00 today.
Travel Tips for the A66
The A66’s mix of single carriageway, exposed high ground and ongoing dualling works makes it a route worth planning ahead for. A few ways to make the crossing smoother:
- Check both planned and live updates. Trans-Pennine dualling works are scheduled in advance, but weather and incidents can close the road with little warning, so pair the closure schedule with a live traffic app before you set off.
- Watch the Stainmore stretch in bad weather. The high, exposed section between Bowes and Brough is regularly closed to high-sided vehicles in strong winds and can close entirely in snow or ice.
- Time your trip around overnight works. Many A66 dualling and resurfacing works run overnight to limit disruption, so travelling earlier in the day can help you avoid contraflows and temporary signals.
- Use the official diversion routes. During closures, stick to the signed diversion rather than a sat-nav shortcut through the Pennines’ narrower rural roads.
- Build in extra time near Scotch Corner and Penrith. Both ends of the route see heavier traffic where the A66 meets the A1(M) and M6, and this is often where diversions cause the longest delays.
Keeping Your Vehicle Ready for the A66
Whether you’re crossing the Pennines for work, heading into the Lake District, or navigating a diversion route around the current closures, tyres in good condition matter more on a road like the A66 — exposed, hilly, and prone to standing water and ice in winter.
Check your tread depth and pressures before a long trans-Pennine trip, and if you’re due new tyres, you can
buy online with Blackcircles.com and get them fitted locally, with a Lifetime Guarantee included on all car, van and SUV tyres.
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A66 Road Closures: FAQs
Is the A66 open right now?
Most of the A66 remains open day-to-day, but the ongoing Trans-Pennine dualling project and Stainmore’s exposure to bad weather mean sections between Penrith and Scotch Corner are regularly affected by overnight, weekend or weather closures. Check the table above for the latest planned works.
Why is the A66 closed?
A66 closures are usually down to one of three things: planned roadworks as part of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine dualling project, high winds or snow over the Stainmore Pass, or occasional incidents such as accidents or breakdowns on the single-carriageway sections.
What is the diversion route for A66 closures?
Diversion routes vary depending on which stretch is closed and are signed on the day by National Highways. Always follow the official signed diversion rather than a sat-nav shortcut, since these routes are chosen to handle the extra traffic safely.
Are there overnight closures on the A66?
Yes. A large share of the Trans-Pennine dualling and resurfacing works are scheduled overnight to reduce disruption to daytime traffic, so check the closure table above if you’re travelling late.
Is the A66 affected by high winds or snow?
The Stainmore Pass section between Bowes and Brough sits at high altitude and is one of the more exposed stretches of road in the north of England. It’s regularly closed to high-sided vehicles in strong winds and can be closed entirely in heavy snow or ice.
How long will the A66 closures last?
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project is a long-term scheme to fully dual the road between Penrith and Scotch Corner, so planned works will continue in phases over several years. Weather-related closures, by contrast, are usually lifted once conditions improve.
