Drivers are bracing for the busiest summer holiday getaway on the roads in four years, with the RAC warning of a potential 'Saturday scramble' as school terms conclude. An estimated 14.1 million motorists are anticipated to embark on journeys for holidays or day trips between Friday and Sunday, leading to significant tailbacks on major routes.
This figure is the second highest recorded since 2016, surpassed only by the 18.8 million travelers in 2022 when the easing of pandemic restrictions fueled a surge in travel. The majority of schools in England and Wales are set to break up at the end of this week or early next week, while the academic year has already concluded in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Saturday is predicted to be the peak day for getaway journeys, with 3.8 million planned trips. Friday and Sunday are each expected to see an estimated 3.4 million journeys. An additional 6.8 million trips are spread across the three-day period, as drivers remain flexible about their departure dates. The RAC anticipates that south-west and north-west England will experience the most leisure traffic.
Further complicating travel plans, 16.2 million people are expected to undertake holiday journeys between Monday and Thursday of this week, as some travelers attempt to circumvent anticipated congestion by staggering their trips. Transport analytics company Inrix has identified several congestion hotspots, including the M1 southbound from Junction 16 to Junction 6, the M25 clockwise from Junction 15 to Junction 19, and the M25 anti-clockwise from Junction 17 to Junction 12. The M60 clockwise from Junction 7 to Junction 18 and the M4 westbound from Junction 22 to Junction 35 are also flagged as potential areas of significant delay.
Drivers embarking on these road journeys will also face higher fuel prices compared to last year. The cost of filling a 55-litre family car with petrol has increased by £8.90, and with diesel by £21.20, based on average price data.
The RAC has noted that Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset, along with the North-West of England, are expected to attract the highest numbers of holidaymakers. Popular destinations also include the Sussex and Kent coasts, Scotland, Wales, and East Anglia.
Harriet Hernando, RAC spokesperson, suggested that many families are opting for domestic holidays over overseas breaks this summer. She cited factors such as potential flight disruptions, delays at EU borders, and household budgets being impacted by economic pressures as reasons for this trend. Hernando advised drivers to prepare for delays, consider setting off earlier or later in the day to avoid peak traffic, and to pack essentials such as water, suncream, and umbrellas to cope with potentially hot weather.
Concerns about EU border delays are linked to the EU's Entry Exit System (EES). This system, fully implemented in April, requires individuals from non-EU countries, including the UK, to have their fingerprints registered and photographs taken to enter the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries. While this process typically occurs at foreign airports for most UK travelers, it is also conducted at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel's Folkestone terminal, and London St Pancras railway station. Numerous travelers have already experienced lengthy queues due to the EES in recent months. The EU has reportedly rejected calls from the travel industry to suspend the system until September, despite fears that delays could worsen during the peak summer holiday season.