Verified April 2026
M6 Toll to the NEC
T1 at Coleshill is the closest M6 Toll exit for the NEC, Genting Arena and Resorts World, around 2 miles down the M42 to J6. From the north the toll is the cleanest route in on event days; from the south the free M40 / M42 corridor is usually the better call.
From north (T8 to T1)
£11.60
From Lichfield / Tamworth
£9.10
Closest junction
T1 (Coleshill)
Toll cost from each origin
| Origin | Toll route | Car toll (contactless) |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester / Stafford (M6 north) | T8 to T1 (3 zones) | £11.60 |
| Cannock / Norton Canes | T6 to T1 (3 zones) | £11.60 |
| Lichfield north / Burntwood | T4 to T1 (2 zones) | £9.10 |
| Tamworth | T3 to T1 (2 zones) | £9.10 |
| London / M40 | None - go M40 to M42 J3a, free | free |
Event-day timing tips
- Arrive 90 min early for concerts. NEC car park flow is the bottleneck; the toll gets you onto the campus on time but the last mile is still queue-prone.
- Avoid the M6 J6 area between 16:00 and 19:00 on event days. The toll skips it entirely from any north origin.
- Pre-book parking at NEC. The toll fee is independent of car park fees and goes to MEL.
- Going home after a 22:30 show: the toll is light, the M6 is light. Use whichever is more direct.
NEC M6 Toll FAQ
What is the M6 Toll cost to the NEC?
From the north (M6 J11a / T8) a car pays £11.60 contactless or £9.80 Breeze for the full route to T1, then 2 miles down the M42 to NEC at J6. From the Lichfield / Tamworth area (T3 or T4) the cost is £9.10 (2-zone).
Which junction for the NEC?
T1 (Coleshill) is the closest M6 Toll junction. T1 connects to the M42 at J9, then 2 miles south to J6 for the NEC, Genting Arena and Resorts World. Around 5 to 8 minutes from T1 to NEC car park off-peak.
Is the toll worth it for an NEC event?
For big-event traffic (CES-style trade shows, NEC concerts, Crufts, motorbike show), yes. Free routes through Birmingham city centre are congested around event start and end. The toll is the bypass that protects your start time.
What about Resorts World and the Genting Arena?
Same exit. T1 to M42 J9 south to M42 J6 covers the entire NEC campus including Resorts World hotel, casino, the LG (Resorts World) Arena and the Genting Arena. Park-and-walk from any NEC car park.
Is there a cheaper alternative if I am happy to plan around traffic?
From the north the free M6 / M42 alternative through J7 / J6 is free but routinely congested during event-day windows. From the south the M40 / M42 is direct and free (no Birmingham crossing needed). The toll is north-direction insurance, not a southern-direction necessity.