by Friday is expected to be the busiest day of the weekend, with up to 3.2 million journeys expected to be made on the roads alongside commuters. On Saturday, another 3.6 million road trips are expected, followed by 2.9 million on Sunday.
Another four million trips are expected to be made sometime between Friday and Sunday.
Alice Simpson from the RAC said: “Our research suggests that this year’s event will be busier than average, possibly due to a slowdown in the UK inflation rate, giving people more confidence to spend.
“However, with our recent bad weather contributing to an increase in international travel bookings, queues at major airports should not be underestimated.”
Here’s everything you need if you’re hitting the roads this weekend…
Which motorways are the worst for traffic?
Data provided to the RAC by Inrix, a developer of transport analysis software, shows that the following areas could be hotspots over the weekend:
-
Delays at Chiswell Junction near St Albans southbound to Gatwick Airport
-
The A303 eastbound between Ilminster and Andover, en route to Southampton and Portsmouth (for ferries to the Isle of Wight)
-
The M5 southbound between J15 (the junction of the M4 and the M5 near Bristol) and J23 for Bridgwater, as motorists make their way to Devon and Cornwall.
Drivers are also advised to allow extra time if traveling on the M25 to airports or the Port of Dover. National Highways has a help page which gives live traffic updates.
What is the best time to leave home?
The worst time to be on the road is in the middle of the day (between 10am and 2pm), and the best time to hit the road is after 5pm.
Simpson says: “If you can’t leave very soon, chances are you’ll be sitting in traffic for a long time.”
Frank Bird, senior network planner at National Highways, says: “When I travel to see the people in Scotland, I’m on the road at 4.45am – so traveling from Birmingham to the border by 8am. Then [I take a] 20 minute break and get back in full swing – then in Aberbroth at 11.30am and have a fish supper at noon on the harbour.”
How much should I be paying for petrol?
According to Confused.com, the average cost of petrol on 26 July 2024 is 144.9p. The lowest is 100.9p and the highest is 172.9p. For diesel, the average price is 150p, the lowest is 105.9p and the highest is 181.9p. Remember these figures when choosing your petrol station.
Motorway service stations often charge a premium: Cobham, on the M25, and Tibshelf, between junctions 28 and 29 on the M1, are often up there with the most expensive.
National Highways recommends always filling up when you reach a quarter of a tank. “It’s not worth the risk or expense of running out and ruining the holiday,” he advises.
Which navigation app should I use?
Google Maps and Waze are both owned by Google, but they are separate products and work differently. Waze uses smart rerouting tactics to help drivers get to their destination as quickly as possible. Sometimes this can lead to elaborate diversions so that you only have a minute or two of the journey, however. Google Maps also reroutes to avoid heavy traffic, but puts the decision in your hands.
The main difference between the two is that Waze relies on active users on the road at that moment to visualize traffic conditions, whereas Google Maps looks at historical data and uses traffic sensors to predict the fastest route. Both alert you to localized traffic updates and road hazards, but Waze generally has more speed camera alerts along major roads. One drawback for Waze users is that it is less efficient when driving in remote areas with little traffic, but that shouldn’t be a problem in Britain this weekend.
Apple Maps is a similar product to Google Maps, accessible only to iPhone users, but due to differences in how the two firms process user data, Google has a greater ability to offer real-time traffic updates in a way that Apple can.
Bird suggests that if you’re using satellite navigation in your car, it’s worth making sure it’s up to date. He also recommends listening to traffic and travel updates on the radio while you’re on the road.
Which engine checks should I do?
The AA’s Chris Wood says: “Take 10 minutes to check your oil, coolant and windscreen washer levels. It is also important to make sure you have plenty of fuel and/or electrical charge and check that all your lights are working.”
The RAC has a handy page with videos, explaining how to run these checks.
“Check your tire pressures – do this when the tires are cold and don’t forget to check the tread – including the spare, if your vehicle has one,” says Wood.
“If you’re driving in wet weather, try to avoid standing water where it’s safe to do so, as this could cover holes or dislodged inspection covers that may be lying beneath the surface. “
The AA also recommends that members download the What3words app before they travel, as this is the easiest way to describe an exact location – identifying where you are within 10 feet.
Simpson says: “Worryingly, one in 10 drivers on holiday at home have driven to their destination knowing there is a problem with their car. That equates to more than 2.7 million drivers at the wheel of a faulty vehicle this week – a truly alarming statistic that could lead to a breakdown or, worse, an accident.”
