UK drivers issued warning as 20m to hit roads this weekend - busiest time to avoid
Drivers have been warned of hellish traffic ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Commuters have been issued an urgent warning as 20 million drivers are to hit the roads this bank holiday.
The RAC has warned of hell on the roads this weekend with Friday being likely the worst day to travel with the start of the half term.
Drivers face 90-minute delays on the M25 clockwise that afternoon between Junction 7 for the M23 and Junction 21 for the M1.
Hour-long queues are expected to clog up a 45-mile stretch of the M5 from Bristol to Taunton in Somerset.
Traffic is predicted to build through the day on Friday, with motorists advised to delay their departures until 6pm. On Saturday, traffic is expected to peak between 3pm and 6pm, with drivers urged to start their journeys as early as possible.
Traffic volumes look set to remain consistently high throughout the long weekend as 3.7million trips are expected to take place on Saturday. Another 3.4million journeys are anticipated on both Sunday and bank holiday Monday.
The RAC's Alice Simpson said: "Our research suggests this weekend could be the busiest of the year so far on the roads.
"Millions of people are embarking on getaway trips to make the most of the three days. For those with school-age children, it's also the start of the half-term holiday.
"We're looking at possible leisure traffic volumes returning to levels similar to what we last saw in 2019 before the coronavirus outbreak.
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"Drivers' desire to make the most of the UK has increased in those places where the warm spring sunshine makes its presence felt. The number of people deciding head for the coast or countryside will only go up, swelling the overall volume of cars on the roads."
Inrix travel expert Bob Pishue said: "A near-record number of travellers are expected to be on the roads over the holiday period.
"Drivers should be prepared for long delays, especially in and around major cities and towards the coasts. Travel as early or as late in the day as possible to avoid the worst delays."