Drivers are expected to make more than nine million individual leisure journeys by car between Friday and the end of the weekend, according to the RAC.
As schools across England and Wales break up for summer, getaway traffic is set to peak on Friday as holiday traffic combines with normal commuter traffic.
Saturday is likely to be the next busiest day on the roads, with the RAC estimating 3.2 million leisure journeys by car, followed by 2.2 million on Sunday as families take to the road to start their summer holidays. In total, over the 16 days between Friday 20 July and Saturday 4 August, the research suggests in the region of 34 million individual leisure trips will be taken – with Saturday 28 July alone seeing in the region of 4.5 million journeys.
“This weekend tends to be one of the busiest on the roads for leisure journeys, second only to Easter and Christmas,” said RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis. “On some popular routes, this may well mean gridlock, especially through the second half of Friday when commuters and holidaymakers will be sharing space on the same stretches of the UK’s roads. As a result, it will almost certainly feel like a ‘frantic Friday’ for some.
“The next peak after this weekend will be Saturday 28 July according to our research, by which time the vast majority of schools in England and Wales will have broken up for the summer. And if the weather remains fine, that could lead to many more people deciding to jump in the car to enjoy a short notice ‘staycation’, adding to the weight of traffic.”
As well as expecting busier roads, drivers are warned to be prepared for travelling in hot weather.
“With temperatures expected to climb again as we head towards the weekend, and some locations expected to experience temperatures of 30C or more under clear skies, it is vital motorists plan for longer journeys in warm sunshine,” said Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale. “With clear skies UV levels will be high, while the potential for delays may mean there are longer spells between travel breaks. Keeping hydrated will help overcome uncomfortable journeys.”
View eDriving’s Top tips for safe summer travel.
