Record Summer Getaways to Cause Midweek Road Chaos, Warns RAC
UKPulse Local Desk
UK roads are set for 'midweek mayhem' this week as schools break for summer, with a record number of families planning getaway journeys. The RAC warns of significant congestion, particularly on Friday, as holiday traffic converges.
- A record 3.1 million leisure journeys are expected on UK roads between Wednesday and Friday.
- Friday is predicted to be the busiest day, with 2.2 million trips, coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays.
- Major motorways, including the M25, M5, and M6, are expected to experience severe delays.
- RAC advises motorists to travel outside peak hours or consider alternative routes to avoid congestion.
Motorists face the busiest summer getaway on record this week, with 3.1 million leisure trips expected to cause severe delays as schools break up across Britain.
The RAC warns of "midweek mayhem" between Wednesday and Friday, with Friday set to be the worst day as 2.2 million journeys coincide with the end of term for most pupils. The unprecedented travel surge threatens to bring major disruption to key routes nationwide.
The M25, M5, M6, A303 and M4 are expected to bear the worst of the congestion. The RAC says the sheer volume of traffic, combined with potential breakdowns and roadworks, will create challenging conditions for families heading off on holiday.
The surge reflects a growing trend towards UK staycations and shorter domestic breaks. Whilst this boost benefits British tourism businesses, it places enormous strain on an already stretched road network during the peak summer period.
The RAC advises drivers to plan routes carefully, check live traffic updates before setting off, and travel during off-peak hours where possible. Those unable to avoid peak times should allow extra journey time and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy with adequate fuel and emergency supplies.
The motoring organisation also urges drivers to take regular breaks to combat fatigue during what could be lengthy, stop-start journeys on Britain's busiest travel day of the summer.
Why this matters: Millions of UK citizens will be affected by severe road congestion this week, impacting holiday plans, travel times, and potentially causing stress for families attempting to start their summer breaks. Understanding these predictions allows for better journey planning.
What this means for you: Drivers face longer commutes and journey delays this week as holiday traffic clogs major routes, particularly on Friday. Those travelling for work should allow extra time and consider alternative routes or earlier departure times. Weekend getaways will also take significantly longer, with motorway delays expected to add hours to typical journey times.