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The A404(M) is a short piece of motorway (2.3 miles) forming part of the former A4(M) and M4 Maidenhead bypass. It is one of two motorways to meet the M4 at the double numbered J8/9, the other being the A308(M). The two junctions along the A404)M) are numbered 9A and 9B, fitting in with the M4's junction numbering scheme.

Much of the A404(M) began life as the A4(M) Maidenhead bypass, which later became part of the M4, as originally the plans were for a route north of Reading. After the M4 south of Reading opened, the “leftover” section of motorway was diverted to a new junction at Holyport. As the A423 ended at the other end of the motorway, this section of motorway was numbered A423(M).

In the early 1990s, a new north-south link, linking the Marlow and Maidenhead bypasses, was created by dualling parts of the A404 and A423 and grade-separating Burchetts Green Roundabout and The Thicket Roundabout. This, coupled with the loss of the A423's importance due to the M40 being finished prompted a large scale renumbering of the A423 south of Banbury, with the A423(M) becoming A404(M) . Together with the A404, the A404(M) created a one-number high-quality route between the M4 and the M40 at High Wycombe.


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