August bank holiday is set to be the busiest on record with over 19 million trips planned on UK roads over the weekend.
The countdown to the August bank holiday has begun, with millions getting ready to hit the road this weekend to enjoy what is left of the summer despite a change in the weather.
But first, holidaymakers have to take on the road network – and everything it has in store.
The motoring expert RAC predicts 19.2 million leisure journeys by car. Drivers’ mania during the long weekend has even been labelled going ‘day trip crazy.’
Here are some of the traffic hotspots to avoid where congestion is likely.
Typically for a bank holiday, coastal areas are likely to teem with day visitors.
Traffic analyst Inrix and RAC revealed where the worst delays are expected to form as tens of thousands of revellers flock to Leeds and Reading festivals.
The route to Leeds festival is set to be especially jammed along the A1, A1(M), M1, M62 and the A64 from Thursday.
Drivers face double travel times on Friday at lunchtime along the A1 southbound between the Kirk Deighton and Bramham interchanges.
Reading Festival will have an impact on travel in the Berkshire area, and festivalgoers have been asked to ditch their car for a train as the festival site is close to a train station.
And steer clear of these areas if you’re not going to Reading – junction J11 of the M4 eastbound to Reading, M3 junction J6 at the Black Dam interchange and Wendlebury interchange at junction J9 of the M40.
The peak of the bank holiday getaway is expected on Saturday when 3.7m trips are planned. Friday could see as many as 3.2 million journeys, followed by Sunday with 3.1 million before travel calms slightly on Monday when 3 million trips are on the cards.
An extra 6.2 million trips are planned by undecided drivers at some point over the sixth bank holiday of the year, the RAC said.
The whopping 19.2 million predicted figure is the highest since RAC started collecting bank holiday weekend data in 2015.
Delays are likely all day on Friday and Saturday, but there are particular times to avoid.
These are travel between10am and 6pm on Friday, and between 10am and 1pm on Saturday. To hack the chaos, drivers are advised to time Friday travel after 6pm following the commuter rush hour, or after 2pm on Saturday.
What about the nemesis of drivers – roadworks?
Some 500 miles of roadworks have been lifted ‘to keep people moving,’ National Highway’s Dale Hipkins said.
Almost 97% of the road network will be free of works over the long weekend, he said.
Hipkins said: ‘We anticipate the roads will be busier than usual and are reminding people to check before they travel and leave plenty of extra time.
‘Seaside resorts, airports and theme parks are likely to be amongst some of the most popular destinations, along with attractions such as Leeds Festival, and routes in Kent will also be busier as people head to Europe via the ports for some last-minute sun.’
At Port of Dover, the peak rush is likely from Friday to Sunday between 6am and 1pm each day.
The ferry hub is expecting more than 20,000 cars to travel through it during the August bank holiday.
Doug Bannister, the CEO of Port of Dover, remained drivers to not arrive ‘any earlier than the two hours requested’ to avoid queues.
Works at the port to prepare for the new EU entry and exit system due to go live in November are noticeable, and could cause longer wait times due to reduced capacity in the pre-border processing area.
‘Furthermore, we expect to welcome back in the region of 9,000 cars to the UK throughout the weekend, as people return from their summer breaks,’ he said.
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