What Hire2You Customers Need to Know Before Hitting the Road

March is always a turning point in Kent.

 

The weather starts improving. House moves pick up. Trades get busier. Deliveries increase. Weekend projects start again. And with all that activity comes something we all know too well…

 

Roadworks.

 

If you’re hiring a van or car in Kent this month, a little planning will save you a lot of stress. Below, we’ve broken down the key road closures and traffic updates for March 2026 that could affect your journey, especially if you’re travelling across Medway, Maidstone, Dartford, Canterbury, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells or Gravesham.

 

Whether you’re moving house, heading to a job, collecting furniture, or doing business deliveries, this guide will help you plan properly.

 

A2 Canterbury Resurfacing, Eastbound Disruption Through March

One of the biggest impacts this month is on the A2 heading towards Canterbury and Dover.

What’s happening?

National Highways are carrying out resurfacing works between Brenley Corner and Wincheap. This includes:

 

• Overnight closures (Thursday to Sunday nights)
• Weekend lane restrictions
• Diversions onto surrounding routes including the A299
• Ongoing works running through most of March

Why this matters for van hire customers

If you’re:

 

• A courier heading towards Dover or Folkestone
• A tradesperson working in Canterbury
• Moving house eastbound
• Heading for a coastal weekend

 

…you could experience delays, especially at weekends.

 

Even if you’re not travelling directly through the closure, diversion traffic can spill onto alternative routes. That means congestion on surrounding roads and longer journey times.

 

If you’re doing a house move towards Canterbury, using a long wheel base van instead of doing two trips in a smaller vehicle could save hours in traffic. If you’re still in the planning stage, it’s worth reading our guide on how to plan a stress-free house move in Kent with the right van hire, which covers vehicle sizing, timing and route preparation in more detail.

Practical advice

• Allow extra time if travelling eastbound
• Avoid scheduling tight delivery windows
• Check National Highways updates before leaving
• Consider hiring the correct size van to avoid multiple trips

M25 Junction 2–3 Overnight Closures, Dartford / Swanley

If you’re travelling into Kent from London, pay attention to this one.

What’s happening?

There are overnight weekday closures on the M25 between Junction 2 and Junction 3 for bridge maintenance work.

 

This stretch connects Dartford, Swanley and feeds directly into Kent routes.

Who is most affected?

• Customers collecting a vehicle in Strood or Medway coming from London
• Business hirers travelling between Kent and London
• Anyone heading towards Bluewater or the Dartford Crossing
• Evening vehicle returns

 

Even though closures are overnight, knock-on congestion can build up before and after the works.

What this means for Hire2You customers

If you’re hiring a van for:

 

• Early morning London deliveries
• Late evening returns
• Commercial contracts across county lines

 

…factor in alternative routes and allow extra time.

 

What If Your Car Is Suddenly Off the Road?

Roadworks and heavy traffic increase the risk of breakdowns, especially if vehicles are already running hot or low on fuel.

 

If your car ends up off the road unexpectedly during this period of disruption, you don’t have to panic. We’ve put together a full guide on replacement car hire in Kent and what to do when your vehicle is suddenly unavailable, covering insurance, short-notice hire and how to stay mobile during unexpected problems.

 

Having a backup plan during busy roadwork periods is always smart.

 

Half Moon Lane, Capel, Long Duration Closure (Tunbridge Wells Area)

This one is less motorway, more local, but it could affect trades heavily.

What’s happening?

Half Moon Lane in Capel is closed for water main works starting early March, and it could last up to 103 days.

 

That’s a long-term closure affecting rural routes.

Why this is important

This affects:

 

• Village access roads
• Landscaping and building trades
• Agricultural suppliers
• Property renovations
• Local deliveries

 

Diversions through rural lanes can be tight, especially in larger vans.

 

For trades working across Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks or Maidstone, preparation is everything. Our breakdown of 5 essential van hire tips for tradespeople in Kent explains how to plan routes, load safely and avoid costly delays when roadworks are in place.

Van hire planning tip

If you’re working in villages around Capel, Five Oak Green or outskirts of Tunbridge Wells:

 

• Know your diversion route before setting off
• Avoid oversized vans if access is narrow
• Make sure your load is properly secured for uneven roads

 

Sometimes choosing the right size vehicle is just as important as checking the traffic.

 

Bridle Road, Godden Green – Sevenoaks Area Closures

Sevenoaks is a busy area for house moves and renovations, and early March sees Phase 2 closures on Bridle Road in Godden Green.

What to expect

• Full road closure
• Signed diversion routes
• Potential congestion through surrounding country lanes

 

Sevenoaks has a high number of property renovations and home upgrades. With March being a popular month for moving and refurbishing, it’s common to see an increase in furniture collections and transport jobs.

 

If you’re planning to pick up items from towns like Sittingbourne or surrounding areas, our guide to the best places to buy furniture in Sittingbourne and when you’ll need a hire van can help you choose the right vehicle and avoid multiple trips during busy traffic periods.

Smart planning advice

• Measure your load properly
• Avoid overloading the vehicle
• Choose a van size that balances capacity and manoeuvrability
• Leave earlier than usual

 

Doing one well-planned trip is far better than multiple rushed journeys in traffic.

Shorne Ifield Road, Gravesham Disruption

This short-term Openreach closure in early March affects Shorne Ifield Road near Gravesend.

Why you should care

Even though it’s only a few days, local closures often cause unexpected knock-on traffic.

 

It can impact:

 

• Higham commuters
• Medway to Gravesend journeys
• Local delivery drivers
• Self-storage users transporting items

 

Local road closures tend to catch drivers out because sat navs don’t always update immediately.

Best approach

• Don’t rely purely on your sat nav
• Check local road notices
• Build in a 15-minute buffer

 

Small delays can turn into major frustration if you’re on a tight schedule.

Greenway Court Road, Hollingbourne – Maidstone Area Closure

Another short-term closure in March affects Greenway Court Road in Hollingbourne, just east of Maidstone.

Why this is relevant

Hollingbourne is often used as a through-route between:

 

• Maidstone
• Ashford
• A20 corridor traffic

 

When that access is restricted, traffic diverts onto main roads or neighbouring villages.

 

For Hire2You customers working in Maidstone and surrounding areas, this can mean slower journey times than usual.

Helpful reminder

Avoid cutting through unfamiliar villages in larger vans unless you’re confident with access. Main routes may be longer but are often safer and quicker overall.

 

How March Roadworks Affect Van & Car Hire Customers

Let’s zoom out for a moment.

 

Why does all this matter?

 

Because most people underestimate how much roadworks can impact their day.

1. Time Management

If you’re:

 

• Moving house
• Booking trades by the hour
• Delivering goods
• Returning a vehicle same day

 

…tight timing plus roadworks equals stress.

 

Give yourself breathing space. March traffic isn’t the month for tight schedules.

2. Fuel Planning

Diversions mean extra mileage.

 

Extra mileage means more fuel.

 

Make sure you:

 

• Start with enough fuel
• Factor in detours
• Avoid running low in traffic

3. Vehicle Choice Matters

Choosing the right van can make a big difference.

 

Bigger capacity often means:

 

• Fewer trips
• Less fuel overall
• Less exposure to traffic delays

 

If you’re unsure which vehicle is best for your job, ask before you book.

4. Always Check Before You Leave

Before setting off, check:

 

• National Highways updates
• Kent traffic information
• Google live traffic
• Local council notices

 

Five minutes checking updates could save you an hour sitting in traffic.

March 2026 Traffic Survival Tips for Kent Drivers

Here’s your quick checklist:

 

• Leave 15–30 minutes earlier than planned
• Avoid peak times (7–9am and 4–6pm where possible)
• Double-check overnight motorway closures
• Keep alternative routes saved
• Secure your load properly
• Avoid overloading
• Make sure all hire documents are ready before collection

 

Small preparation steps make a huge difference.

Why Hiring Locally in Kent Makes a Difference

When you hire locally, you’re not dealing with a national call centre that doesn’t understand Kent roads.

 

At Hire2You, we know:

 

• The M2 and A2 pinch points
• Dartford traffic patterns
• Maidstone rush hour build-up
• Rural access issues in Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells
• Medway congestion hotspots

 

We help customers choose the right vehicle for their route, not just the cheapest option.

 

Drive away today from just £29 per day for cars and from £49 per day for vans.

 

No deposit, No Credit Check, No Hassle.

 

Flexible hire options.
Same day hire available.
Straightforward paperwork.

 

If you’re hiring in March 2026, plan smart, allow extra time, and let us help you get on the road with confidence.

Final Thoughts

March brings:

 

• A2 resurfacing disruption
• M25 overnight closures
• Long-term rural closures
• Utility works across Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Gravesham

 

But with proper planning, none of it needs to derail your day.

 

If you’re hiring a van or car in Kent this month:

 

• Check your route
• Allow extra time
• Choose the right vehicle
• Book early

 

And if you’re unsure about access, timing or vehicle size, just speak to the team.

 

We’re local. We know the roads. And we’re here to make hiring easy.