Drivers have been warned to avoid travelling during the busiest hours tomorrow as millions of people prepare to hit the roads for the August Bank Holiday weekend. Around 20 million leisure journeys are expected to take place between Friday, August 28 and Monday, August 31, according to the RAC, making it potentially the busiest late-August getaway since it began tracking travel plans in 2015.
Friday Expected to Be Worst for Congestion
Friday is expected to be the worst day for congestion, with 4.1 million journeys planned and motorists advised to avoid travelling between 10am and 7pm where possible.
RAC breakdown spokeswoman Harriet Hernando urged people who can travel earlier to do so. She said: "Drivers should be ready for 'frantic Friday' and think about setting off before 10am if they can. If the warm weather continues, people should be prepared in case they get caught in a traffic jam, by carrying plenty of water."
Key Routes Affected
Some of the worst congestion is expected on the M5 southbound between Junction 15 near Bristol and Junction 23 in Somerset. Transport analysts INRIX predict delays of around 75 minutes on the route at about midday on Friday as holidaymakers make their way towards the South West.
The M25 is also expected to become a major hotspot, with delays of up to 50 minutes predicted on the anticlockwise stretch between Junction 17 in Hertfordshire and Junction 12 in Surrey around midday. Motorists could face another difficult spell on the M25 later in the day as people who have finished work begin their Bank Holiday journeys.
Weekend Travel and Weather Risks
The disruption will continue throughout the weekend, with 3.8 million leisure trips expected on Saturday, followed by 3.1 million on Sunday and 3.4 million on Bank Holiday Monday. A further 5.5 million journeys are expected to be made by motorists who have not yet decided which day they will travel.
Drivers could also face challenging weather conditions after thunderstorms and heavy rain hit parts of the country ahead of the getaway. Ms Hernando said: "Flash-flooding could be an issue, so the advice to drivers is to slow down as there's a very real risk of aquaplaning and losing control."
