RAC warns of delays with over 14 million cars set to hit bank holiday roads
The RAC is urging drivers to prepare for long delays on the roads this weekend as motorists make the most of the summer bank holiday.
An estimated 14.4 million vehicles are expected to hit the UK’s major roads between Thursday evening and Monday morning, which could spell lengthy delays.
Research conducted by the RAC and transportation data specialists INRIX suggests Friday and Saturday will be the busiest days, with around 3.6 million cars expected on each.
The RAC recommends that drivers consider travelling at quieter times, and make sure their cars are properly prepared for the journey to avoid a summer breakdown.
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY: RAC Route Planner

Cheaper than AA Price Promise^
• Roadside cover from £5.29 a month*
• We get to most breakdowns in 60 mins or less
• Our patrols fix 4/5 breakdowns on the spot
*At least 10% of new customers pay this for single-vehicle Roadside (Basic). ^T&Cs apply.
The survey showed that Thursday would be the next busiest day to travel, with an estimated 3.2 million cars heading out onto the roads, while bank holiday Monday will see around 2.4 million vehicles.
Sunday will be the quietest of the five days, although with 1.6 million cars on the roads it’s still possible that drivers will come across delays.
On Friday, the worst-hit road is likely to be the M5, with average journey times between J4 and J1 between 09:30am and 2pm expected to jump from 21 mins to 1hr 21 mins.
Saturday is expected to see the stretch of M1 between J22 and J25 badly affected, with average journey times predicted to shoot up from a typical 16 mins to just over an hour.
To help ease congestion, Highways England has announced it will complete more than 300 miles worth of major route roadworks from Friday morning.
SEE ALSO: Five of the best road trips in the UK
ALSO: Temporary car insurance - from one hour to 30 days
RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis warns that while the late August bank holiday might not be the busiest weekend in the year, it still had potential to cause significant delays.
He also warned that: “There are plenty of known hotspots on the motorway network but probably the single biggest one in the summer months is the Almondsbury interchange at Bristol, right by the RAC building, where the M5 and the M4 meet.
“As tens of thousands of drivers head for Devon and Cornwall the coming-together of traffic leads to regular tailbacks every Friday afternoon. Add a bank holiday and some sunshine into the mix and it’s the perfect recipe for a long wait on the motorway.”
Drivers heading out onto the roads this weekend should check out RAC breakdown cover to ensure they’re fully covered for the journey.
You might also like

Road trips in Scotland: six of the best Scottish drives
Not sure where to start for your next road trip? Fear not, we’ve picked out six of our favourite Scottish routes for starters. Have you tried any of these?
Video

Smart motorways - what are they and how do you use them?
What is a smart motorway? Are smart motorways safe, and what does the future hold for these types of road in the UK? Find out with the RAC's latest guide.

Traffic light cameras: what you need to know
Traffic light cameras play a vital role in keeping our roads safe. But if you’ve accidentally run a red light, how do you know you've been caught?

Traffic wardens - know your rights
Traffic wardens can be seen as a real point of contention for many drivers, so it's best to know your rights when encountering one.
Video

Car child seat laws: everything you need to know
Car seat laws have changed, specifically around booster seats. If you're not clued up you could be breaking the law and putting your child's life at risk.
Popular in News
1
Car buyers to save thousands as EV grant returns
2
Private parking companies issue a record 14.4m tickets to drivers in a single year
3
Drivers fined £1m from just 36 yellow box junctions in 2024
4
Road deaths on the rise in Great Britain
5
Private parking industry urged to publish ‘full and transparent’ complaints and appeals data
6
Drivers now able to search for new home that comes with EV chargers
7
Leicester’s Sean Kimberlin named as RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year
8
Number of drivers caught using unroadworthy vehicles jumps by 52% in a year
9
Warning to drivers across the UK over fake parking apps
10