Staycation push leads to 21.6 million driving in the first week of school holidays, warns AA

• One in five drivers are considering a road trip of more than 100 miles between Friday 17 and Thursday 23 July

• The first major England and Wales school-holiday week is expected to be the busiest period for longer summer journeys

• The AA urges families to plan ahead and check their vehicles before setting off

• "A few minutes of preparation before leaving home can make a big difference” - AA expert patrol

The summer getaway is expected to peak as schools break up in England and Wales, with one in five drivers considering a road trip of more than 100 miles between Friday 17 and Thursday 23 July, according to a new AA survey*.

With Scottish schools already broken up for summer, the next major wave of holiday traffic is expected to build as schools in England and Wales finish for the summer break.

After a spell of very hot weather across parts of the UK, many families may be tempted to make the most of the summer holidays with trips to the coast, countryside, campsites and other popular staycation destinations. However, with changeable summer conditions also possible, including heavy or thundery downpours, drivers should be prepared for sudden changes on the roads, as rain after hot, dry weather can make surfaces slippery.

The AA is urging families to plan ahead as longer holiday journeys build across the first major school-holiday week for England and Wales.

How far are drivers planning to travel this summer?

The survey suggests around 6.8 million drivers are considering a road journey of more than 100 miles between Friday 17 and Thursday 23 July, making it the busiest expected period for longer summer trips.

	Under 50 miles	51-100 miles	101-150 miles	151-200 miles	201-250 miles	251-300 miles	301+ miles
Friday 17 July to Thursday 23 July	10.2m	4.6m	2.2m	1.6m	1.0m	0.7m	1.3m
Friday 24 July to Thursday 30 July	9.8m	4.6m	2.2m	1.3m	0.8m	0.7m	1.3m
Friday 31 July to Thursday 6 August	9.6m	4.4m	2.0m	1.3m	0.8m	0.7m	1.3m
Friday 7 August to Thursday 13 August	9.3m	4.2m	1.9m	1.3m	0.8m	0.6m	1.2m
Friday 14 August to Thursday 20 August	9.2m	4.0m	2.0m	1.3m	0.8m	0.6m	1.2m

With more than a third of drivers still undecided on their travel plans, roads could become busier as more families confirm last-minute trips.

The survey also shows that around a quarter of planned journeys across the period are for work, which may help explain why shorter trips remain common even as longer holiday journeys peak.

Millions planning leisure journeys during the school holidays

The survey also gives a snapshot of the types of summer journeys drivers are planning, with leisure trips including staycations, visits to family, days out, festivals, road trips and long weekend breaks.

Period	Drivers planning leisure journeys **
Friday 17 July to Thursday 23 July	10.7 million
Friday 24 July to Thursday 30 July	9.8 million
Friday 31 July to Thursday 6 August	9.1 million
Friday 7 August to Thursday 13 August	8.6 million
Friday 14 August to Thursday 20 August	8.2 million

With major summer events also taking place across the school holidays, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Reading and Leeds festivals, Carfest and other events across the UK, drivers heading to festivals, sporting fixtures and family days out should check routes and parking before setting off.

More information on events across Britain can be found on VisitBritain’s events guide: https://www.visitbritain.com/en/annual-events-britain

Summer traffic expected on key holiday routes

Traffic is also expected to build on key holiday routes, particularly on Friday afternoons and weekends, as families head to coastal resorts, campsites, airports, ferry ports and popular UK staycation destinations.

Drivers are being encouraged to check their route before they leave using The AA Routeplanner and to keep an up-to-date road atlas in the vehicle as a back-up, particularly when travelling through rural areas where mobile signal can be unreliable.

The AA is also reminding drivers that hot weather and heavily loaded cars can put extra strain on vehicles. Tyres should be checked for pressure, tread and condition before long journeys, with pressures adjusted for extra loads where the vehicle handbook recommends it. Drivers should also check coolant levels, carry water for passengers and pets, and plan regular breaks to help avoid fatigue on longer trips.

Before setting off on a longer summer journey, motorists should make sure their vehicle is ready for hotter weather and heavier holiday loads. Those unsure about their car’s condition can book an AA Mobile Mechanics service at home or on private property, with checks including brakes, tyres, oil and coolant.

Drivers can find more advice on preparing for journeys in warmer weather at The AA’s summer driving advice page: https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/seasonal/summer

Lee Morley, AA expert patrol, said: “The first major school-holiday week in England and Wales is always one of the busiest times on the roads, and our survey suggests many drivers are preparing for longer journeys as families head away for summer breaks.

“The warm weather we’ve already seen this summer may encourage more families to make the most of the school holidays, whether that’s heading to the coast, visiting relatives or setting off on a longer UK break.

“Before setting off, take a few minutes to check your tyres, oil, coolant and fuel or battery charge levels. Cars loaded with passengers, luggage and holiday kit work harder, so it is especially important to make sure tyre pressures are correct and that the vehicle is ready for the journey.

“Planning your route in advance can also help reduce stress. The AA Routeplanner is a useful way to check your journey before leaving, but it is still worth keeping an atlas in the car in case mobile signal drops out.

“A few minutes of preparation before leaving home can make a big difference and help prevent the start of a summer holiday turning into an unnecessary breakdown.”

The AA advice for the summer getaway

The AA is teaming up with Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day, only in cinemas from 29 July, launching a summer campaign designed to bring superhero excitement to drivers, families and film fans across the UK.

As part of the campaign, The AA has adapted its usual FLOWER (fuel, lights, oil, water, electrics, rubber) vehicle checks into SPIDER checks for summer journeys:

• S – Screenwash and system fluids
• P – Power, including fuel, EV charge and route planning
• I – Illumination, including lights and visibility
• D – Dipstick, including oil checks
• E – Electrics, including battery and electrical systems
• R – Rubber, including tyres, pressure, tread and visible damage

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*Yonder received 10,611 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 18th and 24th June 2026. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

**based on 34.5 million cars on the road, using Vehicle licensing statistics data tables - GOV.UK table VEH0101