Up to 23 million car journeys expected over bank holiday - the routes to avoid

Up to 23 million car journeys are expected to be taken over the bank holiday weekend.

A combination of predicted warm weather and the start of the half term break for many schools in England and Wales mean roads are expected to be much busier than normal. Add to that it is the final round of Premier League fixtures the weekend, means drivers are being urged to plan ahead.

Motoring group the AA is forecasting that Friday will be the busiest day, with around 23.4 million journeys taken, then 22.8 million on Saturday, and 22.4 million on both Sunday and bank holiday Monday.

Most journeys are expected to be local, with around half those in a poll by the AA planning trips of up to 50 miles each day. Shopping is the most common reason for travelling, cited by 40% of drivers, closely followed by visiting family or friends at 39%. Almost a quarter are planning DIY or garden centre trips (23%), while 22% expect to travel for work.

Separate research by the RAC found 28% of drivers are increasingly worried about the cost of fuel. Its own data shows the average price of petrol across the UK is 158.52p – the highest price since December 2022, and diesel is 185.92p. It means it costs £87 to fill up a family car with unleaded, £14 more than this time last year, and over £102 for diesel, which is £26 more than last year.

Lee Morley, AA expert patrol, said: “A warm Bank Holiday weekend is exactly the kind of forecast that gets people thinking about a last-minute getaway, a day at the coast or a trip to see friends and family. When good weather arrives after an unsettled spell, people are often more willing to make spontaneous plans, so drivers should expect popular routes to get busy quickly.

“Sunday could bring another pressure point, with the final round of Premier League matches likely to add traffic around stadiums, city centres and major routes. Football fans, day-trippers and families returning from short breaks may all be on the move at similar times, so it is worth checking traffic before leaving, using the AA Route Planner to look for delays and building in extra time.

“Before setting off, we would encourage drivers to remember FLOWER — Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics and Rubber. These simple checks only take a few minutes, but they can help spot problems before they turn into breakdowns, especially when cars are carrying extra passengers, luggage or pets over longer distances.

“Fuel prices remain a real pressure on household budgets, so drivers will also want to make every litre count. Shopping around before filling up, avoiding unnecessary weight, keeping tyres properly inflated and driving smoothly can all help keep costs down. Drivers can also use the AA App to find cheaper fuel enroute, helping them avoid paying over the odds while they are away.”

Likely hotspots include:

• local routes around shopping centres, retail parks and garden centres
• roads heading towards the east coast, including routes to resorts such as Skegness
• routes towards the South West and Cornwall, including the A303, M5 and A38
• the M4 from London and routes leading towards Wales
• the M6 towards Blackpool and the North West coast
• roads serving popular seaside towns, national parks, ports and airports