A 'crescendo of cars' warning has been issued for anyone who is thinking about getting behind the wheel this May Day bank holiday weekend.
This month officially kickstarts the annual bank holiday run for Brits with millions of us enjoying an extra day off on Monday (6 May) and with that, praying the recent warm weather holds up so we can ask the question we all know the answer to - 'beer garden, anyone?'
But a significant warning has been issued for anyone driving between Friday (3 May) and the bank holiday Monday itself.
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Breakdown specialists at the RAC are behind it, alongside traffic analysts at INRIX, so it's one that should probably be listened to if you are motoring about somewhere.
And well, it's bad news if you do need to drive.
A staggering 16 million of us are expected to get behind the wheel on Friday alone, with another 4.9 million over the weekend and then 5.6 million on the Monday. That's a lot of motorists.
As a result, INRIX is warning you against driving at specific times across the four days. As well as this, it has offered its best windows to drive if you do have to drive.
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They've also mentioned some of the worst areas of the UK to be driving which should be avoided at all times, if you can.
Listen to the experts
RAC Breakdown spokesperson, Alice Simpson, said: “With COVID travel restrictions a thing of the past, catching up with friends and family is still the first priority for nearly half of drivers making leisure trips over the bank holiday.
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“Since 2022 – the first full year since mobility restrictions lifted – drivers appear to be much more eager to make the most of the May Day weekend, with the total number of getaway trips this year far exceeding the average since 2017.
“We’re anticipating a ‘crescendo of cars’ on the road over the weekend with as many as 3m motorists making leisure trips on Saturday alone. In addition to the majority of motorists planning day trips and short breaks, our data shows local routes to city and out-of-town shopping centres could see heavy traffic, so it’s best to head out early morning or evening if possible.
“For those extending their long weekend breaks into next week, it’s important to plan return journeys in advance as the train strikes between Tuesday 7 and Saturday 11 May will inevitably lead to roads being busier. Industrial action can throw best-laid travel plans into chaos and many commuters who normally rely on the trains instead take to the roads, so our advice is to avoid driving at peak times of day if you can.”
Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, said: “Although delays won’t be as severe as Easter, drivers should expect the lengthiest hold-ups on major roads to and from popular destinations this weekend.
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"Delays will likely peak on Friday afternoon with some areas seeing usual travel times double as holiday drivers vie for space on the roads with commuters."
Best and worst times to travel across the May bank holiday weekend
On Friday, 3 May, the RAC and INRIX say avoid travelling between 11am and 6pm, instead focus on setting off before 9am.
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On Saturday, 4 May, the worst time to travel is 9am to 2pm. After 5pm is your best bet.
On Sunday, 5 May, 10am to 3pm is the red flag zone. Again, after 5pm is the optimum time to get in the car if you have to.
And on Monday, 6 May, don't drive between 10am and 3pm. The advice remains the same, with after 5pm being your best slot for a return journey to wherever you've come from.
Areas of the UK to avoid driving across the bank holiday weekend
The M53 southbound is one to avoid, between Liverpool and Chester, especially with Cheshire Oaks shopping village in the area. Delays here are expected to begin on Thursday.
The busiest route will be the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton on Friday afternoon where travel is expected to take nearly two hours longer than usual due to getaway and commuter traffic combining.
Most major routes across the south and south west are likely to take an average of 50% longer than usual to drive on Friday afternoon, while on bank holiday Monday itself, parts of the north west, East Anglia and south west will be hardest hit by returning traffic.
Jams are predicted on the M55 eastbound between Blackpool and Preston from 11am, Cornwall to Exeter eastbound on the A30 and A38 from 11.30am and Norwich to Thetford on the A11 southbound from 12.15pm.
Tom Earnshaw