Get ready for a busy bank holiday weekend on the roads!
According to data from the RAC, over 14 million drivers are expected to go on leisure trips this weekend, which is nearly 2 million more than last year. The busiest day for travel will be Saturday, with as many as 3.1 million separate trips planned, followed by Friday with 2.8 million trips, Sunday with 2.3 million trips, and Monday with 1.9 million trips. Additionally, there are another 4.2 million trips that will be made by drivers who haven't decided which day to travel.
While this year's number of trips is higher than last year, it's not as high as previous years when fuel was cheaper. The most popular destinations for the weekend are Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, the West Country (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset), and Wales and Scotland.
Transport experts INRIX are warning of longer-than-normal journeys on some key routes, especially on Friday, with delays of up to 55 minutes on the M1 North, 34 minutes on the M25 anticlockwise, and 24 minutes on the M4 East. On Saturday, expect a 37-minute delay on the M5 South around midday, and on Sunday, a 34-minute delay on the M1 South around 4:30 pm. On Monday, expect a 30-minute delay on the M5 North around 2 pm.
INRIX recommends avoiding major roads between 10 am and 7 pm on Friday, between 10 am and 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and between 10 am and 4 pm on Monday. The best times to travel are before 10 am on Friday, Sunday, and Monday, and after 3 pm on Saturday.
Simon Williams, spokesperson for RAC Breakdown, advises early or late travel to beat the traffic. He also emphasizes the importance of vehicle checks, such as oil and coolant levels, tire tread and air pressure, to avoid breakdowns. If there's not enough time to do these checks, drivers can book a next-day appointment with the RAC's Mobile Mechanics for a professional service.
Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, expects major delays on the M25 and M1, as well as routes to the West.
The weather for the weekend is expected to be a mix of sunshine and showers, with more rain in the northern half of the UK. Stay updated with the latest forecast before traveling.
To help reduce the chances of a breakdown and save money on fuel, check out the RAC's website for advice and download the myRAC app, which includes a Fuel Finder feature to save up to 6p per liter. Get ready for a great bank holiday weekend!
