30 March 2026
With the Easter holiday approaching, The AA is warning drivers to expect delays, with more than 21 million journeys expected on the busiest days of the getaway period. Thursday 2 April is set to be the busiest day overall, with just over 21.6 million journeys planned, as drivers get a head start on the long weekend.
Easter Saturday is expected to be the busiest day of the bank holiday weekend itself, with almost 20.3 million drivers taking to the roads. Meanwhile, Good Friday will see around 19.6 million journeys, roughly half a million more than last year, as the holiday rush begins in earnest.
Journey numbers remain high across the weekend, with Easter Sunday and Easter Monday both seeing around 18.9 million trips, reflecting strong demand as drivers visit friends and family or make the most of the break.
| Thurs 2 April | Good Friday | Easter Sat | Easter Sun | Easter Mon | |
| Travelling | 63% | 57% | 59% | 55% | 55% |
| Not Travelling | 23% | 29% | 26% | 30% | 30% |
| Don't Know | 14% | 14% | 15% | 15% | 16% |
| Actual journeys | 21,672,000 | 19,608,000 | 20,296,000 | 18,920,000 | 18,920,000 |
The data, from a poll of more than 13,000* AA members which took place between 13th to 19th March 2026 (after the fuel price surge), suggests that while roads will be busy, most drivers are planning to keep their journeys relatively short. Just over half (53%) expect to travel under 50 miles, with only 5% planning trips between 50 and 100 miles.
Longer journeys are far less common, with around 1% expecting to travel between 100 and 200 miles, and fewer than 1% planning trips over 200 miles. Overall, this points to a high volume of shorter, local journeys rather than large numbers of long-distance trips.
In terms of plans, visiting family and friends is the most popular activity, with around 1 in 5 drivers intending to do so. Work and shopping trips also feature prominently, highlighting a mix of social plans and everyday commitments over the long weekend. Meanwhile, around 1 in 10 are planning outdoor activities such as walking or cycling, and 5% expect to visit DIY stores or garden centres.
More traditional Easter activities are less common, with only 1–2% planning an Easter egg hunt or a trip to a theme park.
However, a significant proportion of drivers are yet to finalise their plans, with around a quarter (24%) undecided on Thursday, rising to 29% on Good Friday, 31% on Saturday, and peaking at 38% on Easter Monday. This suggests journey numbers could increase further as the weekend approaches, particularly if favourable weather encourages more last-minute trips.
| Thurs 2nd | Good Fri | Easter Sat | Easter Sun | Easter Mon | |
| Day trip to the coast | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Long weekend break away | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
| Day trip to theme park/attraction | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
| Sports event | 1% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Visiting Family/friends | 20% | 23% | 22% | 27% | 20% |
| Airport drop off/pick up | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Shopping trip | 23% | 13% | 18% | 8% | 9% |
| DIY/garden centre | 8% | 6% | 7% | 4% | 5% |
| Outdoor recreation | 9% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 11% |
| Work | 22% | 11% | 9% | 7% | 10% |
| Easter egg hunt | 1% | 1% | 1% | 3% | 1% |
| Religious venue | 3% | 6% | 2% | 10% | 1% |
| Other | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 4% |
| Don't know | 24% | 29% | 31% | 33% | 38% |
“Remember FLOWER – Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics and Rubber – the key areas to check before any long journey.”
Following a very wet start to the year, early April is expected to bring a more settled spell of weather, with dry conditions and some pleasantly warm days. However, drivers should still be prepared for chilly nights, fog patches and the risk of frost, particularly in rural areas.
With improved weather forecast, routes to coastal destinations are likely to be especially busy, alongside roads around town and city centres and major retail parks.
Hotspots for congestion are expected to include the M6 through Birmingham and further north towards Blackpool, the M25 between the M23 and M40, the M5 around Bristol and into the South West, and the A303 in Wiltshire. In Wales, the M4 is also likely to see increased holiday traffic.
Drivers are also advised to check for localised entertainment events as these often lead to congestion.
Lee Morley, AA expert patrol, said: “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, and over 21 million drivers on the roads on Thursday alone, it’s shaping up to be one of the busiest Easters on the roads in recent years.
“As tempting as it can be to just throw your bags into the boot and head off, it’s important to take a few minutes to check your vehicle before setting off. Remember FLOWER – Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics and Rubber – the key areas to check before any long journey. A few simple checks could stop car trouble from upsetting your plans.
“To help plan ahead, AA members can download the free AA App for driving advice and the Travel Toolkit to check traffic, compare fuel prices, locate EV chargers and find parking.”
RNLI Water Safety Manager, Ross Macleod, said: “With many people likely to be heading to the beach over the Easter weekend, the RNLI's advice is to choose a lifeguarded beach and stay between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards. If you're not close to a lifeguarded beach, make sure you find out about your chosen beach before you visit, check the weather and tide times and read local safety signage. Our seas are at their coldest at this time of year, so cold water shock is a risk. Take your time to acclimatise slowly, and wear a wetsuit if possible.
“If you find yourself in difficulty, Float to Live – tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and control your breathing, and float on your back until you can swim to safety or call for help. Don’t worry if your legs sink, everyone floats differently. If you see someone else in danger, phone 999 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the person to float, and throw them something buoyant to help them float until assistance arrives.”
The AA’s Top Spring Driving Tips
With fuel prices remaining volatile, it’s worth driving efficiently to keep costs down:
- Plan ahead – getting lost wastes fuel. Use the AA Routeplanner to map your journey and find cheaper fuel along the way
- Lighten the load – extra weight increases fuel consumption, so remove anything you don’t need
- Avoid idling – engines warm up quicker when moving, so don’t start the car until you’re ready to go
- Combine trips – short, separate journeys use more fuel than one longer trip
- Check tyre pressure - regularly and before long journeys – under-inflated tyres will make your car use more fuel. The AA has recently Tyre Cover as an add on to AA breakdown cover. It’s tyre insurance that helps with repair or replacement bills after a patrol has assisted you at the roadside.
- Stick to the limit – driving at 70mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph, and significantly more at higher speeds
For EV drivers, making use of regenerative braking, especially on downhill stretches, can help extend range.
The last thing anybody wants when they are heading off on their Easter holiday is to spend part of their valuable time at the roadside. To offer peace of mind, The AA suggests drivers have their vehicle serviced or inspected before they travel.
Planned roadworks to be aware of
Drivers in the Midlands should be aware that the A38 will be closed between Swinfen Interchange and Hilliard’s Cross from 27 March to 7 April for HS2 works. This includes removal of the temporary carriageway and completion of the final road layout, with the northbound slip road at Streethay then remaining closed for a further 12 months.
In London, TfL has closed the A40 Westway between the Westway roundabout and Marylebone flyover. The closure will remain in place over the Easter break until late April for essential maintenance.
Drivers should expect disruption to spread across the wider network, particularly at peak times, with diversion routes and local roads likely to become heavily congested. Planning ahead, allowing extra time and considering alternative routes will be key to avoiding delays.
* Yonder received 13,625 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 13th to 19th March 2026. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.