Mid-week travel chaos predicted by RAC as schools break for summer

A record number of getaway journeys are expected to cause ‘mayhem’ on the roads this week with the school holidays beginning.

New analysis from the RAC suggests that drivers are planning 13.9 million journeys between today (Monday, July 21) and Thursday (July 24).

Figures suggest that 2.3 million trips will be made today (Monday), with a further two million planned for tomorrow (Tuesday, July 22), Wednesday (July 23) and Thursday, respectively.

The RAC says 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 5.6 million journeys likely at some point between Monday and Thursday.

Following the midweek surge, the end of summer term getaway weekend will still be busy with 2.7 million journeys planned on Friday (July 25).

Saturday (July 26) is expected to see the largest number of journeys on a single day – some three million.

An additional 2.7 million trips are expected on Sunday (July 27), and an additional 4.6 million at some point throughout the weekend, bringing the total number of journeys over the full getaway week to 26.9 million. 

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.”

Data from transport experts Inrix shows the rise in midweek getaways will cause delays across many major routes, starting on Tuesday (July 22) as most schools in England finish for summer.

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.

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.

Both the RAC and Inrix are advising those setting off at the weekend to travel as early or late as possible because traffic is expected to be at its worst through the middle of the day. 

Anyone getting away on Friday or Sunday should try to start their trips before 10am or after 7pm, while Saturday drivers should consider heading out before 10am.

Mullender continued: “Saturday is expected be the single busiest day for summer traffic with many drivers travelling long distances to get to their holiday destination.”