Drivers have been warned to expect a 'weekend of woe' as millions of drivers hit the roads.
The RAC has predicted that 13.8 million motorists in the UK will embark on leisure trips between Friday and Sunday.
Under this estimation, this weekend would be the second busiest summer getaway weekend since 2015.
Behind only 2022 when 18.8 million hit the road amid a heatwave and after two years of coronavirus lockdowns.
The warning comes as many schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays.
When are the busiest times to avoid driving this weekend?
Traffic is expected to peak on Friday as commuters compete for road space with at least 3.2 million drivers making leisure journeys to airports, staycation holidays and day trips.
The congestion continues with a further 3.6 million and 2.9 million trips scheduled for Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Around four million more are expected at some point between Friday and Sunday.
The transport analytics company Inrix have warned drivers that if they want to avoid the worst delays, they should not travel between 12 pm and 5 pm on Friday or Saturday, and between 11 am and 1 pm on Sunday.
Experts have also predicted that traffic on routes serving popular seaside towns is expected to build from Friday afternoon.
For instance, delays are likely to start on the M55 westbound from Preston to Blackpool at 1.30pm, and on the A23 southbound from Pease Pottage services towards Brighton from 3.30pm.
The worst queues are expected to be more than two hours on Saturday lunchtime on the M5 heading south from Junction 15 near Bristol to Junction 23 for Bridgwater, as holidaymakers flock to Devon and Cornwall.
RAC spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: “To avoid a weekend of woe on the roads during one of the busiest of the year, we’d advise as many people as possible to leave as early as they can to try and disperse car journeys over a longer period.
“Any holidaymakers – whether they’re driving to a UK destination or heading overseas – should plan their journeys carefully and leave plenty of extra time before setting off.”
Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue said: “Drivers should expect long queues on major roads when heading to and from their destinations during this summer getaway.
“Being flexible with your route – whether it’s the time you leave or a journey that’s longer in miles with fewer delays – could also reduce the stress of being held up and make for a more enjoyable trip.”
The advice follows a survey which reported that 11% of motorists have driven to a holiday destination knowing there was a problem with their vehicle.
Recommended reading
- 5 top tips to save money on petrol and diesel this summer
- 10 ways you could be invalidating your car insurance
- What speed triggers a speed camera? Car experts explain
Ms Simpson said the results of the poll were “a huge concern”.
She urged all drivers to ensure their cars are ready for a trip by getting all outstanding issues fixed, and to check oil, coolant and tyre treads and pressures before setting off.
The survey of 2,435 UK adults was conducted by research company Find Out Now between July 8 and 12.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here