M3 Services
There are two motorway service areas on the M3, and they are 30-odd miles apart. If you are driving the whole length of the motorway you will pass both; if you are only doing part of it, it is worth knowing which one is coming up.
| Services | Between | Operator | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fleet Services | J4A and J5 | Welcome Break | Both — the two sides are linked on foot |
| Winchester Services | J8 and J9 | Moto | Both — but the two sides are not connected |
The practical difference between them is the last column. At Fleet the northbound and southbound sites are joined by a footbridge, so it does not much matter which side you pull in on. At Winchester there is no public link between the two sides, so if you want something that is only on one side you have to be travelling the right way to get it.
Search all the latest M3 traffic news
Latest accident or incident on the M3
The most recent accident or incident on the M3 that we are aware of.
Latest active roadworks on the M3
Roadworks live on the M3 right now.
Latest planned roadworks on the M3
The next planned roadworks scheduled on the M3.
M3 northbound Jct 12 to Jct 11 carriageway closure
02:49 (2:49am)17 Oct 2026reported 7 min ago
- Location
- M3 eastbound within J11
- Direction
- Northbound
- Lanes closed
- Carriageway closed
- Reason
- Roadworks
- Schedule
- 21:00 (9pm) Sat 17 Oct 2026 → 06:00 (6am) Sun 18 Oct 2026
Forecast - not confirmed
+ 1 more planned roadworks - search all M3 traffic news →
Road closed — on the overhead signs now
National Highways’ overhead signs are showing a road closure, as at 02:57 (2:57am) Sat 17 Oct 2026.
M3 J5-J6 CLOSED
Time now: Saturday, 17 October 2026, 02:57 (2:57am)21:38 (9:38pm)16 Oct 2026set 5 hrs ago⚠ 5 hrs old✓ Checked by us 02:57 (2:57am)
M3 J5-J6
CLOSEDOverhead Message
WhereM3 westbound, J3 to J4 · on 3 signsAlso onM3 signs onlySinceSet 21:38 (9:38pm) Fri 16 Oct 2026We check these overhead signs at least every five minutes, but we can't guarantee a sign is still current if an incident or issue has been cleared and the sign has not been updated yet. Signs and news can each carry something the other does not - check both before you travel.
Search all the latest M3 traffic news
Updated 02:57 (2:57am) Sat 17 Oct 2026
Powered by National Highways’ Transport Data Feeds.
Which M3 services should I stop at?
Heading south towards Southampton
Fleet comes first, between Junctions 4A and 5. Winchester follows about 30 miles later, between Junctions 8 and 9. After Winchester there is nothing else before the motorway ends at the M27, and the last stretch is the busiest on the M3 — 140,750 vehicles a day into Junction 14. If you are low on fuel or patience, Winchester is the last sensible stop.
Heading north towards London
Winchester comes first, then Fleet. There is nothing after Fleet: from Junction 4A to the M25 at Junction 2 and on to Sunbury there are no services on the M3 at all. Fleet is your last stop before the M25.
The long gap in the middle
Between Fleet and Winchester the M3 crosses Hampshire with no services for roughly 30 miles. That stretch includes Junction 8 for the A303, where a large share of the traffic leaves for the West Country. It is also the quietest measured part of the motorway, at 56,135 vehicles a day — a good place to make progress, and a bad place to run out of diesel.
Service area details are compiled from the operators’ own published information and were last checked on 1 September 2026. Facilities change — if something here is out of date, please tell us and we will correct it.