July 22nd 2024.
As the summer getaway season begins, roads in the United Kingdom are expected to see a significant increase in traffic. This means that routes to popular ports, such as Dover, are likely to be busy over the weekend. With school holidays kicking off on Tuesday, millions of holidaymakers are eagerly packing their bags for summer adventures. Experts predict a staggering 27,000,000 trips to be made over the next week, with the RAC forecasting a steady flow of traffic starting on Tuesday and culminating in the notorious "Frantic Friday" on July 26. This single day alone is expected to see around 3,200,000 trips.
However, not all roads will be equally affected. The RAC has helpfully revealed the potential traffic hotspots and when to avoid them. According to their predictions, we can expect staggered delays starting on Tuesday, with the worst congestion occurring on Saturday. A map displaying the worst hotspots for traffic over the weekend has also been provided.
If you plan on traveling to major UK airports or holiday destinations, it would be wise to avoid doing so on Thursday, July 25 onwards, as transportation experts at Inrix have warned of delays of over half an hour between the Chiswell Interchange near St Albans to Gatwick Airport, as well as on the A303 between Ilminster and Andover. These are the main routes to London, as well as the Southampton and Portsmouth ports that offer ferries to the Isle of Wight.
But hold on tight, because the worst is yet to come. Inrix predicts a monstrous queue of over two hours on Saturday lunchtime on the M5 heading south between J15 and J23 for Bridgwater, as holidaymakers flock to popular destinations in Devon and Cornwall. The entire weekend is expected to be the second busiest summer getaway weekend since 2015, with only 2022 surpassing it due to the lockdowns imposed by the pandemic. In that year, a staggering 18,800,000 trips were made between Friday, July 22 and Sunday, July 24.
To make matters worse, temperatures are expected to reach the mid-20s in parts of southern England and London on Frantic Friday, according to the Met Office forecast. Saturday, July 27 is projected to be the busiest day of all, with 3,600,000 trips by car, followed by an additional 2,900,000 trips on Sunday, according to data from the RAC. All in all, there could be as many as 13,800,000 trips made over the "weekend of woe."
If you're planning on traveling on UK roads this weekend, it would be best to avoid doing so between 12pm and 5pm on both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, July 28, the worst congestion is expected between 11am and 1pm. Your best bet for avoiding the worst of the getaway traffic is to hit the road after 6pm on Friday and Saturday, or after 3pm on Sunday, according to Inrix. However, be warned that Saturday is expected to see the longest delays, with A-roads and motorways being 30% slower than usual.
In addition to the heavy traffic, drivers should also be mindful of potential car troubles. According to the RAC, one in ten motorists choose to drive to their holiday destination despite knowing that their vehicle has a problem, such as a warning light, mechanical issue, fluid leak, or worn-out tire tread. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson described this as a "truly frightening statistic," equivalent to over 2,700,000 drivers "at the wheel of a faulty vehicle this week." She advises anyone heading off on holiday on Saturday or Sunday to expect a weekend full of road woes and to take precautions to ensure their journey is a safe one.
As the RAC predicts, leisure trips during the great summer getaway will amount to approximately 27,000,000. Here's a breakdown of the trips expected to be made on each day: 2,400,000 on Tuesday, July 23; 2,600,000 on Wednesday, July 24; 2,500,000 on Thursday, July 25; 3,200,000 on Friday, July 26; 3,600,000 on Saturday, July 27; and 2,900,000 on Sunday, July 28. However, with the recent bad weather causing an increase in international travel bookings, queues to major airports should not be taken lightly. RAC advises drivers to plan their routes well in advance if traveling abroad this week.
In light of the potential chaos on the roads, RAC urges motorists to have their cars checked before embarking on a holiday trip. Taking care of any vehicle issues beforehand can save drivers from the expense and hassle of a breakdown, and potentially missing out on precious holiday time. Transportation analyst Bob Pishue from INRIX warns drivers to expect long queues on major roads and encourages them to be flexible with their routes and travel times to minimize stress and enjoy a more pleasant trip. Have you already experienced the summer getaway traffic? If so, please share your story with us.
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