May Bank Holiday Chaos: Over 4 Million Drivers to Hit the Road This Friday
Get ready for chaos on the roads! Friday 24 May is shaping up to be the UK’s worst travel day, with more than 4 million journeys planned. It’s not just the start of the long weekend but also the kickoff to half term for many schools. Expect congestion to stick around all weekend, with 3.7 million trips on Saturday and 3.4 million each on Sunday and bank holiday Monday.
Traffic Madness Could Rival Pre-Pandemic Levels
This year’s total of 5.7 million leisure car trips across the long weekend could push traffic volumes to a staggering 90% of what we saw back in 2019, when over 22 million drivers hit the road. Day trips are dominating plans – 22% of drivers will be out for a day with friends or family, 8% are heading to the countryside or beach, and 7% are planning short staycations. Only 3% intend to travel via airports or ferries.
Best Travel Tips: When to Hit the Road and Where to Expect Delays
Transport experts at INRIX warn of peak traffic hits from Friday afternoon. They recommend delaying your journey until after 6pm to dodge the worst jams as commuter and holiday traffic collide. The infamous M25 clockwise between Junction 7 (M23) and Junction 21 (M1) could see delays of over 90 minutes.
Saturday traffic will peak between 3pm and 6pm. Early birds have the edge. Popular routes from cities to coasts will clog up as drivers flock to sunnier spots. The M5 southbound—especially the 45-mile stretch from Junction 16 north of Bristol to Junction 25 near Taunton—faces major hold-ups, with journeys over an hour longer than normal. Expect snarls on the M25 anticlockwise towards M23, the A14 eastbound to the coast, plus the M3 and A34, which funnel travellers to southern resorts.
The busy M25 clockwise will roar back at the end of half term on Friday 31 May, with journeys between M23 and M1 nearly tripling to three hours.
Experts Warn: Prepare Your Car or Risk Breakdown Nightmares
“This could be the busiest weekend of the year on the roads,” warns RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson. “With millions setting off for getaways and half-term holidays, leisure traffic is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels. Warm spring sunshine will only drive more drivers to the coast and countryside.”
Simpson adds, “Broken-down cars on a bank holiday weekend are the last thing anyone wants. A well-serviced vehicle is less likely to let you down. Check tyres, oil, and coolant, and book an RAC Mobile Mechanic service if needed before the weekend.”
INRIX analyst Bob Pishue adds: “Expect long delays, especially around cities and coastal routes. Travel early or late to avoid the worst jams. Keep up to date with traffic apps like myRAC and heed local news updates.”
Weather Forecast: Sunshine and Showers Set the Scene
Met Office’s Stephen Dixon says, “There’s a chance of dry and fine weather in parts of the UK over the Bank Holiday weekend, with above-average temperatures. But expect some showers and even thundery bursts in places. Stay tuned to forecasts as our weather outlook becomes clearer.”
