At 26 miles long the M2 would make a nice marathon course. It may feel like a short piece of tarmac, but plenty of motorways come in shorter and it sits comfortably mid-table — not all of them can be leviathans like the M6 at 232 miles. Built in two years between 1963 and 1965, and with one service station along its length, it is a simple, unfussy road.
It was very nearly called something else. The road was planned as the A2(M), but after the Daily Telegraph reported it as the M2, the Ministry of Transport adopted the name to match. Transport minister Ernest Marples opened the first stretch, junctions 2 to 5, on 29 May 1963.
It also holds a quiet distinction: it is the only motorway in England that does not meet another motorway at any of its junctions.
One service area means planning a stop is unusually simple. It is Medway or nothing.
M2 Motorway Map
M2 Map of Junctions and Services
Medway Services
Location: M2 between Junction 4 and Junction 5, Rainham, ME8 8PQ
Operator: Moto
Access: Both directions
Medway opened with the motorway in 1963 under its original name, Farthing Corner. Its best feature is the layout: the building straddles the motorway itself, with a pedestrian walkway linking the eastbound and westbound sides. Arrive on one side and want something only available on the other, and you can simply walk across — which is not something you can say about many service areas.
Moto lists the two sides separately as Medway Eastbound and Medway Westbound, but in practice it is one site serving both directions.
Food and drink
| Outlet | Notes |
|---|---|
| Burger King | Main building |
| KFC | Accessible via the pedestrian walkway |
| Costa Coffee | Plus Costa Express on the forecourt |
| Greggs | Main building |
| Krispy Kreme | Standalone counter |
| M&S Food | Food hall, plus M&S Coffee to Go |
| WHSmith | Shop |
Fuel
The forecourt is BP-operated and open 24 hours. Unleaded, diesel, premium unleaded, premium diesel, LPG and AdBlue are all available, with a shop and Costa Express alongside.
Motorway forecourt prices are reliably well above local supermarket and independent prices. If you are not running on fumes, it is worth coming off at Junction 4 or Junction 5 to fill up — see our M2 junction pages for what is nearby.
EV charging
GRIDSERVE Electric Highway operates 13 charging points on each side of the motorway, with 350kW CCS, 100kW CHAdeMO and 11kW Type 2 connectors. Tesla Superchargers rated at 250kW are also on site. For a single-site services on a short motorway, that is genuinely good provision.
Parking
The first two hours are free. Charges apply after that and are enforced by a third-party operator, so check the signage when you arrive — rates change, and they differ for cars and HGVs.
Hotel
There is a Travelodge on site, recently refurbished. A practical overnight stop for Rainham, Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham and Maidstone, and within easy driving distance of Leeds Castle and Canterbury Cathedral.
Accessibility and family facilities
Changing Places facilities, showers, baby changing and a RADAR key scheme are all available. There are 7 Blue Badge bays eastbound and 5 westbound. Both sides have a children’s play area, and there is free WiFi throughout.
Is Medway worth stopping at?
Medway is quieter than most service areas of its size. North Kent’s only major services sees noticeably less traffic than its scale suggests, which works in your favour at busy times — queues here are shorter than at comparable sites on the M20 or M25.
The offer is solid rather than special. It covers the essentials well, the walkway means you get access to everything on both sides rather than half of it, and the EV charging is better than you would expect. If you are heading for the Channel ports and weighing the M2 against the M20, the M20 gives you more stopping options — but Medway is the better single stop.
Common questions
What services are on the M2?
One: Medway, between Junctions 4 and 5, accessible from both directions.
Are M2 services open eastbound and westbound?
Yes. Medway serves both directions, and a pedestrian walkway connects the two sides.
Do M2 services have a hotel?
Yes — a Travelodge at Medway.
Is there EV charging on the M2?
Yes. GRIDSERVE Electric Highway operates 13 chargers on each side, up to 350kW, plus Tesla Superchargers.
How long can you park at M2 services?
The first two hours are free. Charges apply beyond that — check the signage on site.
Happy Driving.
Last verified: August 2026. Facilities and parking charges change — check with the operator before relying on this for a specific stop.