‘Double dose of delays’ on the cards for drivers making 18m bank holiday trips

UK motorists are expected to embark on more than 17.9m road trips over the late May bank holiday weekend with almost four-in-10 (38%) journeys squeezed into the first two days, according to new research of drivers’ getaway plans.* 

The RAC and transport analysts INRIX are warning of a potential ‘double dose of delays’ on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May when the highest number of leisure trips are projected to be made by car – 3.4m on both days respectively. This figure drops slightly to 2.7m on Sunday 25, jumping to 3m on bank holiday Monday 26 for the start of half-term. An additional 5.4m getaway journeys may take place at some point throughout the bank holiday weekend, although drivers are unsure exactly when they’ll set off.

With most getaway trips due to begin before lunchtime, the research suggests the best times to hit the road will be very early in the morning or into the evening. A majority (68%) of drivers say they’ll head off at some point between 5am and 12pm: 14% plan to leave between 5am and 8am, nearly a third (30%) intend to travel mid-morning between 8am and 10am, and a further quarter (24%) will set off later between 10am and 12pm. 

Traffic is expected to peter out significantly later in the day, with those that can, advised to leave their journeys as late as possible. According to the RAC’s analysis, just 3% of motorists are planning trips between 7pm and 11pm following the evening rush hour. 

Transport experts INRIX are warning M25 users to plan well ahead over the bank holiday weekend, as the UK’s busiest motorway is expected to bear the brunt of the worst delays. On Friday 23 May – the day most drivers will be setting off – the M25 anticlockwise from J4 to J1 near the Dartford Crossing may see lunchtime journeys delayed by more than 45 minutes compared to normal. Later in the day, the M25 anticlockwise between Cobham services (J10) and Clacket Lane services (J6) may face queues of 35 minutes longer at 5pm during the evening rush hour.   

Elsewhere, multiple routes connecting the West Country to the rest of the UK are expected to carry the lion’s share of journeys on Saturday 24 May. Stretches of the A30 westbound towards Okehampton, the M5 southbound to Bridgwater and the A303 westbound past Stonehenge may suffer hold-ups of up to 55 minutes more than usual. 

With the bank holiday weekend marking the start of the school half-term break in many parts of the UK, there’s little reprieve for drivers travelling home back on Friday 30 May, when return journey times are expected to increase across the country by more than a third (35%). 

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Offering guidance for drivers ahead of the long weekend, RAC Mobile Mechanic Aaron Bryan said: “Our research shows it really is best to leave as early or late as possible this bank holiday weekend, as the majority of motorists are planning to set off in the morning. If the warm weather continues, travelling at cooler hours of the day saves fuel, puts less strain on the air conditioning system, and means older cars have much less chance of overheating. 

“Regardless of the weather, always check your vehicle’s oil and coolant levels before setting off, as well as tyre pressure and tread depth. Alternatively, an RAC Mobile Mechanic can check any battery or brake pad issues before you travel, along with diagnosing any faults signalled by dashboard warning lights. There’s no need to squeeze in a last-minute trip to the garage either, as we can come to you at home or work.

“In hot temperatures, it’s wise to carry lots of water, food and a tool kit, with jump leads, torch and some first aid basics. In the worst-case scenario of a breakdown, make sure you’ve got an umbrella and sunscreen to provide shade for all passengers when awaiting assistance.

“While Devon and Cornwall remain some of the most popular destinations for summer getaways, many other major routes across the country could be hit by increased traffic – not least the M25 which so many drivers use to reach the coast and the South East. These stretches are likely to be equally as busy on Friday 30 May when drivers use the same roads for return journeys.” 

^{*Research conducted for the RAC by FindOutNow among 2,064 UK adults w/c Monday 5 May 2025. A nationally representative survey. Figures extrapolated to 33m licensed cars}