All UK roads to avoid as holiday getaway sparks highest number of midweek car trips

Brits are being warned of the roads to avoid as the UK is expected to see the biggest number of car trips over the coming days since records began.

Drivers are planning 13.9 million midweek journeys from today until Thursday according to new data from INRIX. School holidays are beginning this week with many pupils breaking up for the summer tomorrow and it means many families will be hitting the roads for tourist hotspots. The new data estimates that 2.3 million trips will be made on UK roads today, while a further 2 million are expected on the next three days. And unusually this year many people are trying to get away before waiting until the weekend.

“This year, a larger number of drivers than ever expect to head off on holiday at some point this week, rather than wait until the weekend to get away – with an additional 5.6m journeys likely at some point between Monday and Thursday,” states theRAC, which has released the INRIX data.

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And the midweek travel chaos is only the beginning as there is also likely to be plenty more mayhem on the roads come the weekend and further into the holiday period.

According to INRIX the M40 northbound between J12 for Gaydon and the M42 exit at J3A in the West Midlands could see mid-morning delays of up to 40 minutes on Tuesday.

Later on, queues of up to 50 minutes are likely from 4pm on the M1 northbound from J12 to J16 through Northamptonshire and on the M4 westbound from J22 for the Pilning Interchange near Severn Beach across the Prince of Wales Bridge to J26 for Newport.

The queues are set to continue through Wednesday afternoon as people attempt to get away before the weekend. The M1 northbound from J22 near Leicester to J26 for Nottingham, near the Peak District, may face 40-minute delays as early as 3pm.

INRIX is predicting early-evening queues of 50 minutes along the M25 anticlockwise from J4 for Sevenoaks to the Dartford Crossing, as holiday traffic clashes with rush-hour commuters.

Then for the weekend the RAC is recommending that people start as early or as late as possible to avoid the worst of the traffic. This means either before 10am or after 7pm.

RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Nick Mullender said: “Normally the weekend bears the brunt of getaway traffic but this year we’re expecting ‘midweek mayhem’ as schools finish for summer.

“We typically see a peak on ‘Frantic Friday’ when holidaymakers share the roads with commuters heading home, but our figures indicate these trips will now be spread across several days with millions more weekday journeys planned. To avoid the worst of the traffic, travel outside peak times and steer well clear of morning and evening rush hours.

“Saturday is expected be the single busiest day for summer traffic with many drivers travelling long distances to get to their holiday destination. If a getaway journey involves hours in the car, it’s essential to be well rested and fresh for the trip. If possible, share the driving with another passenger to ensure concentration levels stay high, while those travelling with children should pack plenty of entertainment to keep them occupied and minimise questions of “are we there yet?”. Water, snacks and phone chargers are essential!

“Before setting off, drivers should do whatever they can to avoid their vehicles letting them down, like checking oil and coolant levels as well as the condition and tread on all tyres. There’s also still time to book an RAC Mobile Mechanic who can carry out a wide range of repairs at home or work, as well conducting a full or interim service.”