It is one of England's busiest roads that keeps people moving, businesses supplied and holidaymakers heading to the coast.
Stretching from Birmingham to the Suffolk coast, the A47 passes through key towns and cities including Leicester, Peterborough, Wisbech, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
The most familiar stretch for many drivers is the 115-mile corridor from the A1 near Peterborough to the east coast, connecting major communities across Norfolk and Suffolk.
A47 traffic and live travel updates
Any disruption on the A47 can bring Norfolk to a halt.
Our reporters cover everything from crashes to closures - you can follow along on our traffic page for more information.
The most notorious collision hotspot is the Acle Straight heading toward Great Yarmouth.
Other hotspot stretches include the single-carriageway routes between Dereham, Swaffham and King’s Lynn alongside busy junction sections near Norwich.
History of the road
The A47 was first designated in the 1922–23 road-numbering scheme, originally running from Birmingham to Great Yarmouth.
In 1935, the route was diverted through King’s Lynn, replacing parts of the former A141 and A17.
Major upgrades began in the late 1970s and continued into the early 1990s, including the opening of the Dereham bypass in 1978 and the Swaffham bypass in 1981.
A more recent change came in 2017, when the segment between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft was reclassified from the A12 to the A47.
Some single-carriageway sections carry between 14,000 and 22,000 vehicles per day, with higher volumes near Norwich and King’s Lynn.
A47 roadworks and maintenance
The A47 is constantly subject to maintenance, resurfacing and safety work, so planned roadworks and closures are now a permanent feature of life for drivers in Norfolk and across East Anglia.
Closures:
In October, closures will be put in place to facilitate the delivery of large transformers for the Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm project.
These deliveries are not part of the A47 Thickthorn scheme but will still impact traffic.
A National Highway spokesman said: "Road closures are needed for Orsted to safely deliver large transformers for the Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm project.
"The transformer will be transported on large, heavy trailers weighing up to 350 tonnes and measuring up to 85 metres long."
From 8pm on October 24 to 6am on October 26, the eastbound entry slip road at the Thickthorn A47 junction will be closed.
Additionally, the eastbound section from Watton Road to Ipswich Road will be shut from 8pm on Sunday, October 25 until 6am the following morning.
A diversion will be in place during the closures.
Where can you stop to eat on the A47?
Unlike motorways, the A47 does not have formal service areas. Facilities are instead found at petrol stations, roadside shops, cafés and nearby towns.
King’s Lynn services include Shell fuel, McDonald’s, Costa Express, a shop, a car wash and a cash machine.
Swaffham provides BP fuel, Costcutter, McDonald’s, Costa Express and laundry facilities.
At Thickthorn near Norwich, drivers can access fuel, Burger King, Subway, a Travelodge and Ionity rapid electric vehicle charging.
Acle offers BP fuel, M&S Simply Food, Starbucks, a Wild Bean Café, a Travelodge and a cash machine.
Those hungry for an independent eatery can also head to Angie's Big Baps, a food truck between the B1108 Watton and A1074 Longwater junctions.
Drivers are advised to check the latest information on opening hours, fuel availability, and electric vehicle charging before travelling, as facilities may change.
A47 FAQs
Where does the A47 start and finish?
The A47 runs from Birmingham to Lowestoft, via Leicester, Peterborough, King’s Lynn, Dereham, Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
How long is the A47?
The full route is about 171 miles long.
Is the A47 a motorway?
No. It is an A-road, with a mix of single and dual carriageway.
Is the A47 dual carriageway all the way?
No. Several stretches, particularly in Norfolk, remain single carriageway.
Who looks after the A47?
The main strategic section is managed by National Highways.
Why does the A47 get congested?
Heavy traffic, single-carriageway stretches, limited overtaking opportunities and incidents can all lead to delays.
Are more A47 upgrades planned?
Improvement work is under way or planned at key pinch points, including North Tuddenham to Easton and the Thickthorn junction near Norwich.
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