Built over a 40-year period, it passes through all of Greater Manchester's metropolitan boroughs except for Wigan and Bolton.

Usually, the western side of the M25 motorway holds that distinction, but the M25's figures at the time were lower than normal due to roadworks starting.

A combined approach was initiated in 2014, comprising managed motorway system and lane gain scheme.

Each motorway in England requires that a statutory instrument be published, detailing the route of the road, before it can be built.

[citation needed] By comparison, the M6 motorway has an average distance of 5.3 miles (8.5 km) between junctions.

Data from driver location signs is used to provide distance and carriageway identifier information.