Easter Bank Holiday Expected to Be UK's Busiest on Roads in Four Years
Drivers are planning nearly 21 million leisure journeys between Thursday and Easter Monday, according to a comprehensive study by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists Inrix. This represents an increase of over 1 million trips compared to last year, making this Easter the busiest on the roads since 2022, which marked the first full getaway after the Covid lockdowns ended.
Traffic Peaks and Travel Patterns
The AA predicts that traffic during the Easter period will peak on Thursday, when many schools across the UK break up for the holiday. Just over half of travelers expect to cover short distances of under 50 miles. Approximately one in five plan to visit friends and family, while one in ten aim to head outdoors for walking or cycling activities. Additionally, 5% of drivers anticipate visiting DIY stores or garden centres.
Lee Morley, an AA expert patrol, commented: "After what feels like a very long, wet winter, lots of families are looking forward to the Easter break." With better weather forecasted, routes to coastal areas are likely to be especially congested, alongside roads around town and city centres and retail parks.
Impact of Fuel Prices and Engineering Works
Despite a surge in fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East, most drivers are not altering their travel plans. The RAC reports that only 6% expect to drive shorter distances, and another 6% say they will not drive at all due to higher costs. The average price of petrol in the UK has risen above 150p per litre for the first time since May 2024, with crude oil prices soaring above $100 a barrel.
Filling a 55-litre family car with diesel this Easter will cost at least £19 more than on Good Friday last year, while a tank of petrol will be nearly £8 more expensive, with further increases anticipated. Sean Kimberlin of the RAC noted: "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."
Network Rail has alerted travelers to extensive planned essential engineering works and upgrades over the bank holiday weekend, which is likely to increase road traffic further. Engineers will work on more than 270 upgrade projects across Britain during Easter.
Travel Alternatives and Port Activity
The Association of British Travel Agents indicated that most individuals whose trips were affected by the war have switched to alternative destinations, including the western Mediterranean, Caribbean, and direct-flight long-haul trips to Thailand and South Africa.
At the port of Dover, an estimated 37,000 cars are expected to travel through during the Easter holidays between this Thursday and Sunday 19 April. Doug Bannister, the port's chief executive, stated: "The port is preparing for a busy Easter getaway period, with an early increase in traffic expected from last Friday, followed by the predicted getaway volumes through to mid-April."
With signs that the weather could warm up in time for the weekend, the number of ad hoc journeys may rise, adding to the overall traffic volume. This combination of factors sets the stage for a significantly congested Easter period on UK roads.
