Breakdown Recovery on the M20
The M20 is the road to the Channel: from the M25 at Swanley through Maidstone and Ashford to Folkestone and the Eurotunnel terminal. If you've broken down on it, heading out or coming home, call us with the nearest junction and your direction.
From £125 · 24/7 · often with you in about 30 minutes (depends on location and traffic)
Swanley to Folkestone
The M20 runs about 50 miles from Swanley, where it meets the M25, past the M26 at Wrotham, Maidstone and Ashford, to Folkestone. Maidstone services (junction 8) and Stop 24 at Folkestone (junction 11) are the main landmarks. The section near the M25 is smart motorway, while further east it's a traditional motorway with a hard shoulder.
The Eurotunnel terminal (junction 11a)
Junction 11a leads straight into the Eurotunnel terminal. Inside the terminal, staff deal with breakdowns. Outside it, call us. If you've broken down on the way out and missed your crossing, contact Le Shuttle about your booking and let us take the car to a garage or home. If the car breaks down on the other side, we can also bring it back: see repatriation from Calais.
Operation Brock
When there's disruption at Dover or the Eurotunnel, the M20 between Maidstone and Ashford can be switched into Operation Brock: lorries queue on the coastbound side, and other traffic runs in both directions on narrower lanes with a lower speed limit. There's very little room to stop. If you break down in Brock, put your hazards on immediately and call us, and call 999 if you're stopped in a live lane and can't get out safely.
If you break down on the M20: get onto the hard shoulder or as far left as you can, hazards on, and wait behind the barrier if it's safe. Tell us your direction (London-bound or coastbound) and the last junction you passed.
M20 Breakdown FAQs
My car broke down on the way to the Eurotunnel. What now?
Contact Le Shuttle about your crossing and call us for the car. We'll recover it to a garage or home, or anywhere else you need.
Can you recover me during Operation Brock?
Yes, though it can take longer to reach you because of the contraflow. Tell us exactly where you are and which carriageway you're on.
How much does recovery from the M20 cost?
Local recovery starts from £125, with a fixed price agreed before we set off.
Nearby areas & roads
Broken Down on the M20 Right Now?
Call or WhatsApp us with your location and we’ll arrange recovery to you.
