14 million Drivers warned of hours of delays this weekend

The RAC estimates that 14.1 million drivers will take to the roads across the UK between Friday and Sunday.

It comes as most schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays, with Saturday expected to be the most congested day as 3.8 million journeys are planned.

A further 3.4 million trips are expected on Friday and Sunday.

Harriet Hernando, a spokesperson for the RAC, said: “Drivers should be ready for the Saturday summer scramble and plan their journeys, thinking about setting off earlier or later in the day to avoid traffic jams.

“People should prepare for delays and getting stuck in a jam in potentially very hot weather.

“People should carry plenty of water, as well as suncream and an umbrella to provide shade.”

Another 6.8 million journeys are expected to be spread across the three-day period, with drivers undecided on which day to travel.

The RAC said that south-west and north-west England are likely to see the heaviest volumes.

Transport analytics firm Inrix has identified several key congestion hotspots in the region, including the M1 southbound from Northampton (junction 16) to Watford (junction 6).

Other national hotspots include the M25 clockwise from Junction 15 (the M4) to Junction 19 (Watford), and the M25 anticlockwise from Junction 17 (Maple Cross) to Junction 12 (the M3).

Travel delays are expected to be compounded by higher fuel prices compared to last summer.

Filling a 55-litre family petrol car now costs £8.90 more than a year ago, while diesel drivers are paying £21.20 extra.

The increase in UK staycations is being partly attributed to concerns over flight disruptions, delays at EU borders, and household budgets being squeezed by global events including the conflict in Iran.

Ms Hernando said many families are choosing a UK holiday rather than an overseas break this summer, which she suggested could be caused by issues such as flight disruption, EU border delays and household budgets being squeezed by the Iran war.

Concerns over international travel centre on the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully operational in April.

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The system requires non-EU travellers, including those from the UK, to have their fingerprints and photograph taken before entering the Schengen Area.

This process is also in place at the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal, and London St Pancras.

The travel industry has called on the EU to suspend the EES system until September, warning that delays could become even more severe during the height of the summer season—a request that has so far been refused.

Are you heading on a summer getaway this weekend? Let us know if you’re prepared for delays in the comments.