RAC predicts highest number of getaway trips in four years as school’s out for summer

More than 14m drivers will make their getaway this weekend as schools across the country close for the summer, according to new data released by the RAC.*

The number of leisure trips is the second highest since RAC records began in 2016, surpassed only by 2022 when the country emerged from COVID lockdown.

Between Friday 17 July and Sunday 19 July, 14.1m drivers will hit the road as they make their way to their summer staycation. This compares to 18.8m in 2022.

The RAC is warning of a ‘Saturday summer scramble’, with the largest number of journeys on a single day (3.8m) set to take place on Saturday 18 July. Both Friday and Sunday will see an estimated 3.4m individual trips taken.

An additional 6.8m trips will be spread across Friday (17th) and Sunday (19th), with drivers as yet unsure which exact day they’ll make their getaways.

Another 16.2m are expected to make their escape during the week between today (Monday) and Thursday, as some people stagger their trips in a bid to beat the traffic.

Despite fuel prices being much higher than last summer – costing £8.90 more to fill a 55-litre family-sized car with petrol, or £12.20 in the case of diesel – people are undeterred from travelling.

Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, along with the Northwest of England, will see the highest number of holidaymakers, with RAC figures showing 9% flocking to these destinations.

The Sussex and Kent coasts are also popular destinations (8%), with another 8% going to Scotland, 7% to East Anglia and 6% to Wales.

Figures from transport data experts INRIX show that getaway traffic will cause delays on major routes, starting on Thursday 16 July on the M25 clockwise J15 to J19, with 40-minute delays predicted from 7pm. The M1 South between J16 to J6 is also expected to be badly affected that day, with delays of around 80 minutes from 10am.

Friday 17 July will see delays of around 45 minutes on the M25 anticlockwise from J17 to J12 from 7am. In the Northwest, the M60 clockwise J7 to J18 will see delays of around half-an-hour from 4.30pm.

The ‘Saturday summer scramble’ will be at its worst on the M25 anticlockwise J17 to J12 with delays of around half-an-hour from 2pm.

The Port of Dover advises anyone departing by ferry not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their sailing, and to always stick to main routes when travelling to the port to avoid congestion on other local roads.

RAC breakdown spokesperson Harriet Hernando said: “The great British summer staycation is about to get off to a flying start, with many opting to stay in the UK instead of travelling abroad. This could be down to people having more confidence in the weather, as well as concerns over cancelled flights, higher air fares and EU border delays, which are no fun with a family in tow.

“Household budgets have also been squeezed thanks to high fuel costs caused by the Iran war, meaning many may be opting to spend their summer holidays here rather than battle with the expense of going abroad.

“Drivers should be ready for the ‘Saturday summer scramble’ and plan their journeys, thinking about setting off earlier or later in the day to avoid traffic jams. People should prepare for delays and getting stuck in a jam in potentially very hot weather. This means ensuring your car is ‘summer-ready’ – checking that oil and coolant are topped up and making sure that tyres have plenty of tread and are pumped up to the correct pressures.

“During the June heatwave, our patrols attended a fifth more breakdowns. Top faults included tyres – with blowouts more common in the heat as pressure in the tyre builds – batteries and, of course, overheated engines. But with the right TLC, similar breakdowns can be avoided during the big summer getaway

“Drivers whose vehicles have pre-existing problems like a warning light on the dashboard should get these checked by an RAC Mobile Mechanic or reputable garage before attempting to set out on their summer holidays. There is often last-minute availability, just go to rac.co.uk to book.

“People should also carry plenty of water, as well as suncream and an umbrella to provide shade. A phone charger and a portable battery pack is also a must in the event that you need to call for breakdown assistance.”