UK motorists are being advised to seek the cheapest petrol and "fill up as usual" ahead of what is expected to be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022. With 21.7 million journeys anticipated, fuel prices have surged due to rising oil costs linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
The average price of unleaded petrol rose by 20p in March, from 132.83p to 152.83p per litre, marking the fastest monthly increase on record, according to the RAC. This surpasses the previous record of 16.6p in June 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Despite the price hike, RAC head of policy Simon Williams urged travellers to continue their journeys while looking for the best deals. "Ahead of the Easter getaway, which is expected to be the busiest on the roads since 2022 … we urge drivers to fill up as usual and to … find the cheapest forecourts near them," he said.
National Highways plans to temporarily suspend 1,500 miles of roadworks on motorways and major A-roads in England from Thursday to Easter Monday to ease congestion. The AA predicts 1 million additional trips compared to last year, with traffic peaking on Thursday as many schools break up.
Some analysts suggest travellers may cut back on spending due to higher fuel costs. Susannah Streeter of Wealth Club noted, "There may be shorter trips planned ahead, and fewer chocolate treats bought along the way." The AA reported that over half of travellers expect to travel less than 50 miles, while train disruptions may push more onto the roads.
Meanwhile, 2 million UK residents are expected to travel overseas, with EasyJet preparing for its busiest Easter yet. However, those heading to the EU are warned of potential two-hour delays due to the new Entry Exit System requiring fingerprint and photograph checks for non-EU travellers.
