Britain's roads are preparing for their most congested summer getaway in four years, as an estimated 14.1 million motorists plan holiday or day trips between Friday and Sunday. This surge in travel coincides with the end of the academic year for most schools in England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland already on holiday. The predicted 14.1 million journeys represent the second-highest figure since the RAC began tracking data in 2016, only surpassed by the 18.8 million trips recorded in 2022 following the easing of Covid restrictions.
Saturday is anticipated to be the busiest day, with approximately 3.8 million getaway journeys expected. Friday and Sunday will also see substantial traffic, each with an estimated 3.4 million vehicles on the move. An additional 6.8 million trips are spread across the three-day period, as some drivers remain undecided on their exact departure day. The RAC has warned that south-west and north-west England are likely to experience the highest volumes of leisure traffic.
Drivers embarking on these journeys will face significantly higher fuel prices compared to a year ago. Filling a 55-litre family car now costs an average of £8.90 more for petrol and a substantial £21.20 more for diesel. This increase in fuel costs adds another layer of financial consideration for families already navigating a tight household budget.
Transport analytics company Inrix has identified several likely congestion hotspots across the country. These include the M1 southbound from Junction 16 (Northampton) to Junction 6 (Watford), and both clockwise and anticlockwise sections of the M25 around Watford and the M3 interchange. Further bottlenecks are expected on the M60 clockwise from Junction 7 (Altrincham) to Junction 18 (the M62), and the M4 westbound from Junction 22 (the Severn Crossing) to Junction 35 (Bridgend).
Harriet Hernando, an RAC breakdown spokesperson, suggested that a rise in UK holidays could be attributed to factors such as flight disruption, EU border delays, and the financial strain on households due to the ongoing Iran war. She advised motorists to plan their journeys carefully, considering earlier or later departure times to avoid peak congestion. Travellers should also be prepared for potential delays in hot weather, carrying ample water, sun cream, and an umbrella for shade.
For those considering overseas travel, the EU's Entry Exit System (EES), fully implemented in April, continues to cause concern. This system requires non-EU citizens, including UK travellers, to have their fingerprints registered and a photograph taken upon entry to the Schengen Area. While primarily processed at foreign airports, it also affects passengers at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal, and London St Pancras railway station. The EU has resisted calls to suspend the system, despite fears of worsening delays during the peak summer holiday season.