Friday 24 May Set to Be UK’s Worst Travel Day This Bank Holiday
Brace yourself for chaos on Friday 24 May as more than 4 million journeys hit the roads. It’s not just the start of the long weekend but also the kick-off of half term for many UK schools. Traffic doesn’t ease up either, with 3.7 million trips expected on Saturday and 3.4 million on both Sunday and bank holiday Monday.
Traffic May Reach 90% of Pre-Pandemic Levels
This half term getaway could see a staggering 5.7 million leisure car trips across the long weekend — the busiest since 2019, when over 22 million drivers took to the roads. This year’s volumes could hit 90% of those pre-pandemic highs.
Day trips are the top choice for many drivers. A whopping 22% plan to take a day out with friends or family, 8% will head to the countryside or beach, while 7% are booking short staycations. Airport and ferry travel get a smaller slice with 3% choosing these routes.
Key Bottlenecks: M25, M5, and Coastal Routes
Friday afternoon will see traffic peak on the M25 clockwise from junction 7 (M23) to junction 21 (M1), with delays over 90 minutes expected. Experts at INRIX advise motorists to wait until after 6pm to avoid the worst gridlock, when commuter and leisure traffic collide.
Saturday’s traffic crunch is likely between 3pm and 6pm. Early starts are recommended, especially for day trippers heading to seaside hotspots. The M5 southbound between Bristol (J16) and Taunton (J25) could face hour-plus delays on a 45-mile stretch.
Other trouble spots include the M25 anticlockwise approaching M23, the A14 eastbound towards the coast, plus the M3 and A34 feeding huge numbers of holidaymakers to south coast resorts.
More May Bank Holiday Mayhem on 31 May
Traffic misery isn’t over after this weekend. Friday 31 May, marking the end of half term, is expected to see the M25 clockwise between M23 and M1 slow to a crawl — with journey times ballooning to three hours.
Experts Issue Travel Tips Ahead of the Chaos
Alice Simpson from RAC Breakdown said: “This could be the busiest bank holiday on UK roads yet this year, with millions heading off to make the most of the long weekend and school half term. Traffic volumes are closing in on pre-pandemic levels from 2019.”
She advises drivers to ensure their vehicles are well-serviced and checked before hitting the road. RAC Mobile Mechanic offers last-minute help. Keep tyres inflated, and oil and coolant topped up to avoid breakdowns when it matters most.
INRIX analyst Bob Pishue warns: “Expect near-record numbers on the roads. Prepare for long delays, especially near cities and seaside routes. Travel early or late to avoid traffic jams. Use traffic apps like myRAC and tune in to local news to dodge bottlenecks.”
Weather Watch: A Mixed Bag
Met Office’s Stephen Dixon says: “There’s a chance of dry, fine spells but also patchy showers, some possibly thundery. Temperatures should be above average but can dip where rain falls. Keep an eye on the forecast as we get closer.”
UK drivers ready their engines — this bank holiday could deliver a traffic headache to match the spring weather’s mood swings.
