Drivers are being warned of record traffic levels on the roads between this Friday (19 July) and the end of the weekend, as many schools close for summer and families head off on holiday.
Approximately 13.4m separate summer getaway trips are expected to take place over the weekend, the highest number in five years and 4m more than in 2018, according to a study by the RAC and INRIX.*
On “Frantic Friday” 5.3m separate car journeys are predicted; with a further 5m leisure trips planned on Saturday and 3.4 on Sunday.
Data from INRIX, the transportation analytics specialists, shows the M1 and M25 will likely witness some of the longest jams of up to 90 minutes and 60 minutes respectively, with some further significant queues forecast towards the end of this week and into the weekend on the M40, M5 and M6.
“With record-level travellers hitting the road for the start of summer, drivers must be prepared for delays on popular routes,” said INRIX Transportation Analyst Trevor Reed. “Although travel times are expected to increase throughout the weekend, Friday afternoon will be the worst time to be on the road as commuters mix with holiday travellers.”
The RAC and INRIX are backing Highways England’s campaign that calls on drivers to check their vehicle before they set out to reduce the chance of getting stuck at the side of the road.
