More than 14 million leisure journeys are expected to be made by car in the UK this Easter weekend, according to a new study of drivers’ getaway plans from the RAC and INRIX.
Data indicates Good Friday could spell some of the worst delays for drivers as an estimated 2.6m getaway trips by car are due to be made on that day alone. This is 600,0000 more than the 2m journeys planned for both Thursday 28 March – the day many schools break up – and Easter Monday, and is up on volumes expected over Easter Saturday and Sunday with 2.3m separate trips each.
Meanwhile, an additional one-in-ten drivers are planning a trip over the long Easter weekend but are undecided exactly when they’ll hit the road, leading to an estimated 3.3m more trips staggered over these dates.
“Although travel times will peak on Thursday and Friday afternoons, drivers should be prepared for longer journeys than normal throughout the entire weekend,” said Bob Pishue, INRIX transportation analyst.
“To avoid the longest delays, we advise adjusting departure times so you’re not travelling in peak commuter hours. Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.”
