Motorway service areas are leaving drivers hungry for better value, according to new AA research, despite motorists rating the choice and quality of food and drink more positively than the prices.

The survey of 12,479 drivers found that food and drink prices are the weak spot for motorway services, with motorists almost twice as likely to rate them poorly as positively. Almost a third (31%) rate prices as poor, compared with just 17% who rate them as good.

By contrast, motorists are notably more positive about what is available once they stop. More than a third (34%) rate the quality of food and drink as good, while just 11% rate it poor.

Drivers are most positive about the choice of food and drink outlets, with 38% rating the range as good — almost four in 10 — compared with only 9% who rate it poor.

These findings suggest that drivers are not necessarily unhappy with what motorway services offer, but many feel they are paying too much for it.

Motorway service areas play an important role in helping drivers break up long journeys. They provide a convenient and safe place to stop, use facilities, get refreshments and take a break from the road.

The AA advises drivers to plan regular breaks on longer journeys and aim to stop every two hours or so, especially if they are not used to driving long distances. Drivers should also avoid starting a long journey if they are tired.

If tiredness sets in, drivers should stop in a safe place, but never on a motorway hard shoulder. Motorway services are often the safest and easiest place to take a proper break on long motorway journeys, giving drivers somewhere to rest, refresh and refocus before continuing.

Motorway service areas also face higher operating costs than many other roadside facilities. As they are open 24 hours a day to provide drivers with access to facilities at all times, including free toilets, they are likely to incur higher staffing and running costs than sites with shorter opening hours.

However, the research suggests that the cost of stopping remains a major frustration. While many drivers are broadly satisfied with the range and quality of food and drink available, far fewer feel prices represent good value.

This creates a clear gap between the service being offered and how drivers feel about paying for it. Motorists appear to value the convenience, choice and quality of refreshments at motorway service areas, but still feel they are paying a premium simply because they have stopped on the motorway.

	Good	Neutral	Poor
Price of food and drink at MSAs	17%	46%	31%
Quality of food and drink at MSAs	34%	48%	11%
Range of food and drink outlets at MSAs	38%	47%	9%

The new research follows AA polling from February 2025, which found that fewer than one in 10 drivers agreed that “the price of food and drink at MSAs is reasonable”. Just 9% agreed, while 69% disagreed. More than a third (37%) strongly disagreed.

Motorway service areas are essential for drivers, particularly on long journeys when people need somewhere safe and convenient to stop, rest and refresh.

Our research shows that motorists are not necessarily criticising the food and drink offer itself. In fact, drivers are much more positive about the choice and quality available than they are about the prices.

But value for money remains the sticking point. Fewer than one in five drivers rate MSA food and drink prices as good, while almost a third rate them poor.

Drivers should not feel they are paying over the odds simply because they have pulled off the motorway. Services are there to support safe journeys, and regular breaks are vital for helping people stay alert behind the wheel.

The AA recommends drivers stop every two hours or so to refresh, refocus and help prevent tiredness. If drivers find themselves opening the window or turning up the radio to stay awake, they should take it as a sign they are too tired and need to stop at the next safe place. Having two cups of coffee, or an equivalent caffeinated drink, followed by a short nap of around 15 minutes can help before continuing.

Motorway services make regular breaks easier, but they also need to feel like fair value.