UK Braces for Busiest Easter Road Traffic in Four Years Despite Soaring Fuel Costs
Drivers across the United Kingdom are being warned to prepare for the busiest Easter on the roads in four years, with millions of motorists seemingly undeterred by significant increases in fuel prices. The RAC has estimated that close to 21 million leisure journeys by car are planned between Thursday and Easter Monday, marking the highest Easter traffic volume since 2022.
Survey Reveals High Travel Intentions
This projection is based on a comprehensive survey of 2,219 UK adults conducted between March 20 and March 23, a period when fuel prices had already risen substantially. Oil prices have surged to as high as 120 dollars per barrel due to Iran's stranglehold on tankers passing through the critical Strait of Hormuz, contributing to the increased costs at the pump.
The AA has predicted that traffic during the Easter period will peak on Thursday, with an estimated 21.7 million trips planned for all journey types. Drivers attempting to get a head start on their bank holiday getaways will find themselves competing for road space with commuters on what is the final working day of the week for many.
Congestion Hotspots and Travel Advice
Motorists are strongly advised to set off before 10am if possible to avoid the worst of the anticipated congestion. The AA forecasts that routes leading to coastal destinations are likely to be especially busy over the Easter weekend, alongside roads around town and city centres and major retail sites.
Transport analytics company Inrix has identified several key congestion hotspots expected over the holiday period:
- The M4 westbound from the Severn Crossing to Bridgend in South Wales.
- The M25 clockwise from Junction 15 to Junction 19.
- The M5 southbound from Junction 15 to Junction 23.
- The M40 northbound from Junction 12 to the M42.
- The M1 southbound from Junction 16 to Junction 6.
In an effort to ease journeys, National Highways has announced it will lift 1,500 miles of roadworks from its network of motorways and major A roads in England between Thursday and Easter Monday.
Fuel Price Concerns vs. Travel Plans
The RAC reports that filling a typical 55-litre family car with diesel now costs approximately £19 more than on Good Friday last year, while a tank of petrol is £8 more expensive. A commissioned survey indicates that 31% of UK drivers are increasingly worried about rising fuel costs.
However, only 6% expect to drive shorter distances because of this issue, and another 6% said they will stop driving altogether. RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Sean Kimberlin commented: "Despite fuel prices rising dramatically due to the conflict in the Middle East, our research suggests Easter remains incredibly important to people as it's often the first chance to get away since Christmas or to meet up with friends and family."
Kimberlin added: "While a significant number of drivers are concerned about rising fuel prices, a much smaller contingent are actually changing their plans this Easter as a result. We expect traffic levels to be consistently high from Thursday, when many schools break up."
Vehicle Preparation and Alternative Transport Disruptions
AA expert patrol Lee Morley urged drivers to conduct thorough vehicle checks before setting off, including fuel levels, lights, oil, water, and tyres. Morley stated: "After what feels like a very long, wet winter, lots of families are looking forward to the Easter break. With more than 20 million journeys expected on the busiest days, it's shaping up to be one of the busiest Easters on the roads in recent years."
Meanwhile, thousands of Easter train journeys will face significant disruptions due to Network Rail's six-day shutdown on the West Coast Main Line. Engineering work means no intercity services will run between London Euston and Milton Keynes from Good Friday to Wednesday April 8, with trains resuming on Thursday April 9.
Engineers will deliver more than 270 upgrade projects across Britain over Easter. There will be no WCML services between Preston and Lancaster on Saturday or Easter Sunday, though Avanti West Coast will run services between Preston and Carlisle via the Settle and Carlisle line.
Between Good Friday and Easter Monday, services between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction will be reduced, and there will be no trains between Winchester and Southampton in Hampshire, or between Herne Bay and Ramsgate in Kent.
Air Travel and Holiday Trends
EasyJet is preparing for its busiest Easter getaway ever, with up to 16,000 flights scheduled from UK airports during the two-week school break. Popular destinations include Tenerife and Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, along with Alicante and Malaga in mainland Spain.
Holiday company On the Beach has reported a surge in last-minute bookings for departures this week. Chief customer officer Zoe Harris noted: "Destinations like Greece and Turkey are offering standout value alongside familiar favourites, Spain, the Canaries and Portugal, and with the UK weather showing no signs of improving, it's no surprise we've seen a surge in people snapping up last-minute sunshine breaks."
