Britain’s motorists were today warned to brace for the big summer getaway as experts predicted the highest number of midweek car trips since records began.
Drivers are planning nearly 14million journeys between today and Thursday as the school holidays begin – with most pupils in England breaking up tomorrow.
Some 2.3million leisure trips by car will be made today with a further 2million on each of tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, according to the RAC.
A larger number of drivers than ever before are expected to head off on holiday at some point this week, rather than wait until the weekend to get away.
An extra 5.6million journeys are likely at some point between today and Thursday, taking the total to 13.9million during what the RAC dubbed ‘midweek mayhem’.
After this midweek surge, the first getaway weekend will also be busy with 2.7million journeys planned on ‘Frantic Friday’. Following this there will be a ‘Saturday scramble’ as the largest number of journeys on a single day – 3million – is set to take place.
An extra 2.7million trips are expected on Sunday, and 4.6million more at some point over the weekend, bringing the total number of journeys this week to 26.9million.
Data from transport experts at Inrix shows the rise in midweek getaways will cause delays across many major routes, starting from tomorrow as most schools finish.
Motorists in traffic jams on the M3 near Winchester in Hampshire last Friday afternoon
The M40 northbound between J12 for Gaydon in Warwickshire and the M42 exit at J3A in the West Midlands could see mid-morning delays of up to 40 minutes.
Queues of up to 50 minutes are likely from 4pm on the M1 northbound from J12 to J16 in 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.
Experts predict the queues are set to continue through Wednesday afternoon as people try to get away before the weekend.
The M1 northbound from J22 near Leicester to J26 for Nottingham, near the Peak District, could face 40-minute delays from 3pm.
Early-evening queues of 50 minutes along the M25 anticlockwise from J4 for Sevenoaks to the Dartford Crossing are also likely, as holiday traffic clashes with rush-hour commuters.
The RAC and Inrix are jointly urging those setting off at the weekend to travel as early or late as possible – with traffic set to be at its worst through the middle of the day.
Anyone going away on Friday or Sunday was encouraged to try to start their trips before 10am or after 7pm, while Saturday drivers were told to consider heading out before 10am.
The weather is set to be changeable this week following the thunderstorm warnings in place today, with showers likely tomorrow and thundery downpours possible in the South East of England on Wednesday. Temperatures will be around average for the time of year.
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.’
Mr Mullender said Saturday is expected be the ‘single busiest day for summer traffic with many drivers travelling long distances to get to their holiday destination’.
He encouraged drivers to ensure they were well rested and fresh for their trip, and share the driving with another passenger to help maintain high concentration levels.
Mr Mullender added: ‘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.’
Research on journey trips was carried out for the RAC by FindOutNow among 2,135 UK adults in the week commencing July 7 in a nationally representative survey, with figures extrapolated to 34million cars.
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