Warm spell and football away days could tempt drivers into bank holiday journeys, says AA

• Drivers urged to remember FLOWER before setting off: Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics and Rubber

• Football away days could add to bank holiday traffic

• “It is far better to spot a problem on the driveway than on the hard shoulder.” – AA Expert Patrol

The recent spell of settled warm weather could tempt drivers to make the most of the upcoming bank holiday weekend, but The AA is urging anyone planning a long journey to check their vehicle before heading out.

For many families, the long weekend may be the first real opportunity of the year to head to the coast, with seaside routes expected to be busy if the warmer conditions encourage day trips and short breaks.

With warm sunshine expected to give way to more changeable conditions over the weekend, drivers may face a mix of busy roads, showers, longer spells of rain and stronger winds at times.

Football Away Days Could Add Hundreds of Miles to Weekend Trips

The weekend also brings a packed football schedule, including the final round of matches in EFL Championship, League One and League Two, with supporters potentially travelling hundreds of miles to follow their teams.

Day	League	Fixture	Away Trip	Est. one way miles	Est. round trip
Saturday	Premier	Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion	Brighton to Newcastle	345	690
Saturday	League One	Exeter City v  Bradford City	Bradford to Exeter	285	570
Saturday	Scottish League  Two	Elgin City v Stranraer	Stranraer to  Elgin	275	550
Saturday	League Two	Barrow v Newport County	Newport to Barrow	265	530
Saturday	WSL	Manchester United v  Brighton & Hove Albion	Brighton to Manchester	250	500
Saturday	Championship	Preston North End v Southampton	Southampton to  Preston	245	490
Saturday	League Two	Crawley Town v  Salford City	Salford to  Crawley	245	490
Saturday	League One	Reading v Blackpool	Blackpool to Reading	235	470
Saturday	League One	Northampton Town v Plymouth Argyle	Plymouth to  Northamtpn	230	460
Saturday	Championship	Swansea City v Charlton Athletic	Charlton to Swansea	210	420

Saturday brings some of the weekend’s longest football away days, with Brighton supporters facing a round trip of around 690 miles to Newcastle, Bradford fans looking at a round trip of around 570 miles to Exeter, Stranraer supporters in Scotland travelling a round trip of roughly 550 miles to Elgin, and Newport County fans facing a round trip of around 530 miles to Barrow.

Other long trips include Brighton & Hove Albion Women to Manchester United Women in the WSL, Southampton to Preston (Championship) and Salford to Crawley (League Two) - all close to 500-mile round trips - making basic vehicle checks before setting off especially important.

FLOWER Checklist: Essential Car Checks Before Long Journeys

The AA says the combination of bank holiday leisure traffic, coastal day trips, football away-day journeys and unsettled weather make vehicle preparation essential. Drivers are being advised to remember FLOWER before setting off:

• Fuel – make sure you have enough petrol, diesel or charge for the journey, and plan stops in advance
• Lights – check all lights and indicators are working properly
• Oil – check the oil level and top up if needed
• Water – check coolant and screenwash levels before a long drive
• Electrics – look out for warning lights, check the battery if the car has been standing, and make sure devices are charged
• Rubber – check tyre pressures, tread depth and condition, including any spare or repair kit

Lee Morley, AA Expert Patrol, said: “Bank holiday journeys are often the first longer trip some cars have made for a while. If the car has mainly been used for short local journeys, a long motorway run can expose problems with tyres, batteries, cooling systems or fluid levels.

“Many of the breakdowns I attend on bank holidays could have been avoided. It is far better to spot a problem on the driveway than on the hard shoulder. Unnecessary breakdowns cause traffic jams meaning longer journey times for everyone.”

“A few minutes checking your car before setting off can make the difference - remember FLOWER — Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics and Rubber.”

The AA is also reminding drivers to plan their route, check live traffic before leaving and allow extra time around motorways, major A-roads, coastal routes, service areas and roads near stadiums.

Coastal Getaways and Day Trips Expected to Surge This Weekend

Drivers heading to the coast, football matches or other busy destinations can also use The AA app to plan their route, get real-time traffic information, help find parking before they arrive and locate cheaper fuel along the way.

Football supporters may be setting off early, travelling long distances and coming home late, particularly with the final League One and League Two fixtures adding to Saturday traffic. Drivers making these journeys should build in rest stops and avoid ignoring warning lights before or during the trip.

Drivers travelling in heavy showers should slow down, increase the gap to the vehicle in front and avoid sudden braking or steering. In bright sunshine, sunglasses and a clean windscreen can help reduce glare, particularly early or late in the day.

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