Drivers across the United Kingdom are bracing for a potentially significant surge in traffic this Easter weekend, marking one of the busiest travel periods since 2022. Over 19 million leisure trips are anticipated between Thursday and Monday, according to new research from the RAC and transportation data specialists INRIX.
The forecast suggests intense congestion on major routes throughout the UK, with daily traffic volumes reaching approximately 2.7 million on Thursday, Good Friday, and Saturday. A slight dip is expected on Easter Sunday before a renewed surge of around 2.5 million journeys on bank holiday Monday as people return home following weekend getaways.
An additional 6.2 million trips are predicted to occur sometime over the four-day period, adding further strain on already busy roads.
Thursday, April 17th is anticipated to be the most challenging day for travelers, with traffic volumes potentially exceeding normal levels by nearly a third. INRIX data predicts delays of more than an hour on a 35-mile section of the M25 clockwise route, between Gatwick Airport (J7) and the M40 junction (J16), around 11:45 am.
Good Friday is also expected to be heavily congested, with delays peaking between 11am and 1pm. Drivers are strongly advised to begin their journeys significantly earlier in the morning or wait until later in the afternoon to avoid the worst of the congestion.
Several key routes are particularly vulnerable:
- The A303 westbound towards Stonehenge could see delays extending up to 43 minutes.
- The M5 southbound, between J15 near Bristol and J23 for Bridgwater, is forecast to experience delays of over one hour and twenty minutes—more than double the usual time.
- Queues are also anticipated on the M25 anticlockwise route between J4 (Bromley) and the Dartford Crossing, with journey times expected to be at least thirty minutes longer than normal.
Alice Simpson, RAC Breakdown spokesperson, commented: “Although journey numbers remain high, we’re seeing a shift towards more day trips and weekend breaks rather than extended vacations. This is reflected in INRIX’s predictions of significant delays around routes connecting Gatwick to the rest of the country.”
She continued, “Drivers should not expect to avoid queues without careful planning. Early morning or late evening departures are strongly recommended when traffic flow is typically lighter.”
To mitigate congestion, National Highways’ “Operation Brock” contraflow system will remain active on the M20 until April 22nd. The Port of Dover is also anticipating a high volume of traffic on Thursday, estimating around 5,000 outbound cars.
“We advise passengers to travel to the port using main routes only and arrive no more than two hours before their scheduled sailing,” stated Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover.
Despite the potential for delays and cooler weather, drivers may find some relief at the fuel pump, as recent discussions surrounding trade tariffs have led to a decrease in oil prices.