Map of M4 Junctions 17 to 23: Bath, Bristol and the Severn

West of Chippenham the M4 drops down past Tormarton, the turn for Bath, to the edge of north Bristol, where the M32 heads into the city and the M5 crosses at Almondsbury. It then runs past the old Severn Bridge turn and Avonmouth to the Prince of Wales Bridge and into Wales.

Holidaymakers heading for Devon, Cornwall and Wales, Bristol commuters and drivers delivering to Avonmouth all use this section.

The road on the map is coloured by the live traffic flow speed, the same data as our live M4 traffic flow map. Choose westbound or eastbound above the map. Tap any junction number to open that junction’s own page.

← Section 3: J12–J17 Back to the whole M4 Section 5: J23–J33 →

Showing live speeds westbound. The map shows one direction at a time; tap the other button to switch. For both directions side by side, with every sign and incident, see the live M4 speed flow map.

50 mph +30–49 mphunder 30 mphno live reading

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

← Section 3: J12–J17 Back to the whole M4 Section 5: J23–J33 →

Driving Junction 17 to Junction 23: Distances and Times

From junction 17 to junction 23 is about 33 miles along the M4, about 28 minutes at the 70 mph speed limit in clear traffic. Here it is junction by junction; tap a junction to open its own page.

J17 to J18: about 10 miles, about 9 minutes
J18 to J19: about 7½ miles, about 7 minutes
J19 to J20: about 3 miles, about 3 minutes
J20 to J21: about 1½ miles, about 1 minute
J21 to J22: about 4 miles, about 3 minutes
J22 to J23: about 7 miles, about 6 minutes

Distances are measured along the motorway between the centres of the junctions, from OpenStreetMap, and rounded to the nearest half mile. Times are at a steady 70 mph and do not allow for joining, leaving, roadworks or lower speed limits, so check the live map above and the live M4 speed flow map before you set off.

M4 Junctions 17 to 23 Now: Accidents, Incidents and Roadworks

Live traffic news at M4 Junctions 17 to 23

Incidents and roadworks between Junction 17 and Junction 23 that we are aware of.

laneClosures

Active nowUpdateWestbound

Time now: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 22:27 (10:27pm)

22:25 (10:25pm)21 Oct 2026reported just now

Location: M4 J22 westbound access
Direction: Westbound
Lanes closed: Lane closures
Reason: Road or carriageway or lane management
Schedule: 22:19 (10:19pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026 → 22:34 (10:34pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026

⏳Expected to clear in ~7m HA planned end: 22:34 (10:34pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026

Hardshoulder closure

Active nowRoadworksEastbound

Time now: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 22:27 (10:27pm)

22:20 (10:20pm)21 Oct 2026reported 6 min ago

Location: M4 eastbound between J17 and J16
Direction: Eastbound
Lanes closed: Hard shoulder closed
Reason: Roadworks
Schedule: 23:59 (11:59pm) Tue 27 Apr 2021 → 18:00 (6pm) Fri 30 July 2027

⏳Long-term works - HA planned end: 18:00 (6pm) Fri 30 July 2027.

M4 both directions Jct 16 to Jct 17 - lane 3 closure

Active nowUpdateBoth directions

Time now: Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 22:27 (10:27pm)

22:20 (10:20pm)21 Oct 2026reported 6 min ago

Location: M4 eastbound between J17 and J16
Direction: Both directions
Lanes closed: Lane closures
Reason: Repair work
Schedule: 20:53 (8:53pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026 → 06:00 (6am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

⏳Expected to clear in ~7h 32m HA planned end: 06:00 (6am) Thu 22 Oct 2026

+ 1 more near Junctions 17 to 23 - see all the M4 traffic news →

This is the news for Junctions 17 to 23 only, not the whole M4. For the rest of the motorway see all the latest M4 traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.

Updated 22:27 (10:27pm) Wed 21 Oct 2026