Weekend traffic warning for fleets as summer holidays begin

Drivers are planning an estimated 18.8 million separate leisure trips between Friday and Monday, the highest number recorded for these three days since the RAC started tracking summer getaway numbers in 2014.

Leisure traffic volumes look set to peak on Saturday (July 23) with 4.6 million separate road trips, but Friday (July 22) and Sunday (July 24) expected to be not far behind with almost 4.3 million separate trips on each day.

An estimated extra 5.61 million journeys by car will take place between Friday and the end of Sunday by drivers currently unsure as to which day they will get away.

Data from transport analytics specialists Inrix suggests that the M25 could see some of the worst jams, and singles out stretches between Bromley and the Dartford Crossing, Maple Cross to the M3, and the M23 to the M40.

The A303 near Stonehenge, M4 between Cardiff and Newport and M5 south of Bristol are also likely to see queuing traffic at various points during the weekend, with unexpected vehicle breakdowns only likely to add to the problems.

The RAC’s research suggests the UK might be in line for its third big ‘staycation summer’ in a row following those caused by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, although the extremely high fuel prices might have an effect – either reducing the amount of driving people do in the UK or putting people off driving further afield into continental Europe.

RAC Fuel Watch data that shows, incredibly, the cost of filling a 55-litre family car with petrol costs £30 more this summer than last, and £42 more than in 2020.

The situation with diesel is even more severe, with the cost of a tank up £34 compared to last year and £44 more than a year earlier.

Inrix transport analyst Bob Pishue said: “Drivers should expect traffic congestion to build throughout the day, especially on motorways. Despite high fuel prices, travellers do not appear to be giving up their road trips and holidays.”