On 5th December 1958, Preston, became the site of Britain's first motorway in the form of the Preston Bypass. It consisted of 8.26 miles from Broughton in the north to Bamber Bridge in the south.

At 225 miles (362km), the M6 is the UK's longest motorway and extends from Catthorpe (junction 19 on the M1) to the A7 North of Carlisle.