Get ready for chaos on the roads this May Bank Holiday weekend. Friday 24 May is expected to be the UK’s worst travel day, with more than 4 million journeys planned across the country. This day marks not only the start of the long weekend but also the beginning of half term for many schools, contributing to the heavy traffic volumes.
Congestion is predicted to persist throughout the weekend, with 3.7 million trips expected on Saturday and 3.4 million journeys each on Sunday and bank holiday Monday. This surge in travel could result in some of the worst traffic jams seen in recent years.
This year’s total of 5.7 million leisure car trips over the long weekend may push traffic volumes to around 90% of the levels recorded in 2019, when over 22 million drivers were on the road. Day trips are the most popular choice, with 22% of drivers planning outings with friends or family, 8% heading to the countryside or beach, and 7% opting for short staycations. Only 3% of travellers intend to use airports or ferries during this period.
Transport experts at INRIX have issued warnings about peak traffic starting from Friday afternoon. They advise motorists to delay their journeys until after 6pm to avoid the worst congestion caused by the overlap of commuter and holiday traffic. The M25 clockwise between Junction 7 (M23) and Junction 21 (M1) is expected to experience delays exceeding 90 minutes.
Saturday’s traffic is forecast to peak between 3pm and 6pm, with early travellers having an advantage. Popular routes from cities to coastal areas will become heavily congested as drivers head to sunnier destinations. Notably, the M5 southbound faces significant delays, especially the 45-mile stretch from Junction 16 north of Bristol to Junction 25 near Taunton, where journeys could take over an hour longer than usual.
Additional congestion is expected on the M25 anticlockwise towards the M23, the A14 eastbound heading to the coast, as well as the M3 and A34, which lead to southern resorts. Traffic on the M25 clockwise is predicted to surge again at the end of half term on Friday 31 May, with journey times between M23 and M1 nearly tripling to around three hours.
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson warns, “This could be the busiest weekend of the year on the roads. With millions setting off for getaways and half-term holidays, leisure traffic is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. Warm spring sunshine will only drive more drivers to the coast and countryside.”
Simpson advises motorists to prepare their vehicles to avoid breakdowns during the busy weekend. “Broken-down cars on a bank holiday weekend are the last thing anyone wants. A well-serviced vehicle is less likely to let you down. Check tyres, oil, and coolant, and book an RAC Mobile Mechanic service if needed before the weekend.”
INRIX analyst Bob Pishue adds, “Expect long delays, especially around cities and coastal routes. Travel early or late to avoid the worst jams. Keep up to date with traffic apps like myRAC and heed local news updates.”
Regarding the weather, Met Office forecaster Stephen Dixon says, “There’s a chance of dry and fine weather in parts of the UK over the Bank Holiday weekend, with above-average temperatures. But expect some showers and even thundery bursts in places. Stay tuned to forecasts as our weather outlook becomes clearer.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
