Traffic this August Bank Holiday weekend is predicted to be the UK’s worst in 10 years

Buckle in. Metaphorically and literally, because we have some terrible traffic-related news.

The 2024 August Bank Holiday is fast approaching. If the weather holds we could be in for a lovely long weekend, but if you’ve got plans to travel at all you may want to allot some extra time for the journey, as research suggests that this will be the busiest bank holiday weekend for drivers in a decade.

Insurance company RAC have estimated that three million people will be travelling to visit family or head on a staycation each day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (August 23-25). Considering that this is not only the last bank holiday of the summer, but there are also multiple festivals happening this weekend, it’s not surprising that roads are going to be packed.

The amount of people using their cars to get around went down significantly during the Covid era, but it’s been slowing increasing ever since the end of lockdown. Now, we’re well and truly back at pre-pandemic levels, and the traffic expected this weekend is set to be at its heaviest since 2015.

The worst times to travel according to RAC will be between 10am and 6pm on Friday, and 10am and 1pm on Saturday. The RAC says: ‘Drivers are advised to make journeys on Friday evening after 6pm when the worst of the commuter traffic is over, or after 2pm on Saturday following the lunchtime rush’. But the company cautions that no time will ensure clear, non-disrupted travel, so definitely factor delays into your planning.

As well as holidaymakers, be wary of festival-goers. Roads around Leeds and Reading are likely to see even more jams, with the A1, A1(M), M1, M62, A64 particularly affected by those headed by Leeds. Likewise, RAC recommends that ‘anyone not attending the Reading Festival should avoid junction 11 of the M4 eastbound to Reading, M3 junction 6 at the Black Dam interchange and the Wendlebury interchange at junction 9 of the M40.’ On these roads, journey times could double on Friday.

A representative from the RAC made their message clear: ‘Whether you’re off to a festival, the coast or a theme park… leave as early as you can to avoid the jams or be prepared to sit in some lengthy queues.’

We’re wishing you all the best in all your adventures, and we hope there’s something entertaining on the radio if you do get trapped in a standstill this weekend.