With the school summer holidays almost here, thousands of families are preparing for road trips across the UK. But before you pack the snacks and plan your playlist, there’s one important stop you may want to think about first – the toilet.
New research from MoneySuperMarket has revealed the UK’s longest stretches of road without public toilet facilities, highlighting the routes that could cause the most stress for families travelling with young children, older relatives or anyone living with toilet anxiety.
The study found that almost one in three UK drivers (31%) experiences toilet anxiety – a recognised condition, according to Anxiety UK, where the worry of not being able to find a toilet can make even short journeys feel overwhelming.
Why planning toilet stops matters
Whether you’re travelling with potty-training toddlers, children with additional needs or simply want to avoid uncomfortable journeys, knowing where you can stop is an important part of planning a family road trip.
The research also found that more than 3.5 million UK drivers are unaware that stopping at the roadside to relieve themselves could be an offence under the Public Order Act 1986 or local by-laws. Fines can start at £90 and increase to as much as £2,500 if left unpaid, making it even more important to plan comfort breaks in advance.
Scotland dominates the list
Many of the UK’s most challenging routes are found in Scotland, where spectacular scenery often comes with long distances between towns, service stations and public conveniences.
The route topping the list is the A92/A90 from Portlethen to Dundee, stretching for around 60 miles without any publicly accessible toilets. The journey typically takes around 70 minutes, passing through Stonehaven, Montrose and Arbroath before reaching Dundee.
Other routes where drivers may struggle to find a toilet include:
- Shibdon Pond to Belford (A1) – 48 miles, around 52 minutes.
- Lairg to Rhiconich (A838) – 41 miles through the remote Scottish Highlands, taking approximately 62 minutes.
- Tournaig to Abhain Droma (A832) – 39 miles with an average journey time of 57 minutes.
- Helmsdale to Melvich (A897) – 38 miles taking around 63 minutes.
- Perth to Aberfeldy (A85/A822/A826) – 36 miles, approximately 55 minutes.
- Stonehaven to River Ythan – 34 miles taking around 50 minutes.
- Golspie to Rosehall – 34 miles, roughly 50 minutes.
- Armagh to Omagh – 33 miles with an average journey of 42 minutes.
- Inverurie to Aberchirder – 31 miles taking approximately 37 minutes.
What is toilet anxiety?
According to Anxiety UK, toilet anxiety can affect both adults and children. The condition causes persistent worry about not being able to access a toilet quickly enough, with anxiety itself often triggering physical symptoms and an increased urge to go.
For families planning long drives this summer, checking your route before setting off, identifying service stations and scheduling regular comfort breaks can make journeys far less stressful for everyone in the car.
If you’re travelling one of the UK’s more remote routes, it’s worth topping up fuel, packing plenty of drinks and snacks, and planning toilet stops before you leave, rather than relying on finding facilities along the way.
MoneySuperMarket’s full research includes the methodology used to map publicly accessible roadside toilets and identify the UK’s longest toilet-free driving routes.
