Easter Getaway Sees Millions Hit Roads Despite Soaring Fuel Costs
Millions of drivers across Britain have embarked on Easter getaway trips today, defying the soaring cost of fuel while others contend with extensive rail shutdowns and congested airports. The AA estimates that a staggering 21.7 million journeys have been planned across the UK for today alone, marking it as the busiest day of the four-day bank holiday weekend.
Road Traffic at Peak Levels
Motorists are facing the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022, according to the RAC, despite diesel prices surging by 29 percent and petrol by 16 percent since the conflict in Iran began. Today is set to be the overall busiest day as drivers get a head start on the long weekend, with Easter Saturday expected to see nearly 20.3 million drivers on the roads. Good Friday will witness around 19.6 million journeys, approximately half a million more than last year.
Journey numbers remain elevated throughout the weekend, with both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday anticipated to see around 18.9 million trips each. Most drivers are planning relatively short journeys, with just over half (53 percent) expecting to travel under 50 miles, and only 5 percent planning trips between 50 and 100 miles.
Congestion Hotspots and Fuel Price Impact
Expected congestion hotspots include the M6 through Birmingham and north towards Blackpool, the M25 between the M23 and M40, the M5 in the Bristol area, the A303 in Wiltshire, and the M4 in South Wales. Lee Morley, an AA expert patrol, commented, 'After what feels like a very long, wet winter, lots of families are looking forward to the Easter break. With more than 20 million journeys expected on the busiest days, it's shaping up to be one of the busiest Easters on the roads in recent years.'
Despite the sharp rise in fuel costs, separate research by the RAC indicates that while 31 percent of drivers are increasingly worried about rising fuel prices, most are not altering their plans. Only 6 percent expect to drive shorter distances, and another 6 percent say they won't drive at all as a direct result of the higher prices. Filling up a typical diesel family car this Easter will cost at least £19 more than it did on Good Friday in 2025, with a tank of petrol nearly £8 more.
Rail Disruption and Engineering Works
Thousands of train journeys will be impacted as Network Rail carries out more than 270 upgrade projects, including a six-day shutdown of the West Coast Main Line. No services will run between London Euston and Milton Keynes from Good Friday to Wednesday, April 8, due to essential engineering works. Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway services will start and end at Milton Keynes, with buses to Bedford for onward trains to London St Pancras.
Jake Kelly, Network Rail regional director for North West and Central, stated, 'We know how important Bank Holidays are - particularly at Easter, when families and friends come together – and that's why we work hard to keep as much of the network open as possible while carrying out these vital upgrades.' Further disruptions include closures on parts of the Tube network, with no Hammersmith and City line trains for the entire four-day weekend and suspensions on the District line and Docklands Light Railway.
Weather Warnings and Travel Advisories
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for very strong winds in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of north Wales and northern England, effective from 6pm on Saturday until 12pm on Sunday. Forecasters warn of gusts reaching 50-60mph widely, possibly rising to 60-70mph in exposed locations and as high as 80-90mph in western areas of Scotland. This could lead to travel disruption, power cuts, and damage to buildings.
Tom Morgan, Met Office operational meteorologist, noted, 'There's actually going to be quite a lot of dry weather, particularly across England and Wales, but it will be turning windier for all. We could see some particularly damaging winds in parts of Scotland.'
Air Travel and Economic Impact
Travel trade organisation Abta estimates that two million people from the UK will travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday. UK holidaymakers jetting off to the European Union are being warned to expect two-hour delays on arrival due to the ramped-up deployment of the EU's Entry Exit System. EasyJet is preparing for its busiest Easter getaway, with up to 16,000 flights from UK airports during the two-week school break.
Domestically, some 12.5 million Brits are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK for the Easter weekend, bringing an estimated £4.8 billion boost to the economy, according to VisitEngland. Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said, 'It is wonderful that so many people are planning on having a staycation this Easter weekend, whether that's spending time visiting our stunning landscapes and coastlines or exploring our vibrant towns, cities and cultural landmarks.'
National Highways will lift 1,500 miles of roadworks from its network of motorways and major A roads in England between today and Easter Monday to ease journeys, keeping 98 percent of routes clear. Colin Stevenson, road safety information lead at National Highways, advised, 'Millions of people will be hitting the roads over Easter, and we want everyone to have a safe and smooth journey. A few simple checks can help to prevent many of the breakdowns we see each year.'
