Warm weather set to drive Bank Holiday getaway as fuel prices bite
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Around 23.4 million journeys expected on Friday.
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Warm weather and half term could boost getaway traffic.
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“Drivers should expect popular routes to get busy quickly,” - AA expert patrol.
The AA is predicting* a busy Bank Holiday weekend on the roads, with warm weather, the start of half term and the final round of Premier League fixtures all expected to add to traffic levels.
The outlook suggests conditions will turn drier, brighter and warmer through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday expected to feel very warm despite the risk of rain, showers or thunderstorms. By Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, warm and fair weather is expected to prevail, potentially encouraging last-minute trips to the coast, countryside, attractions and family gatherings.
With the Bank Holiday falling alongside the start of half term for many schools in England and Wales, some families are expected to turn the long weekend into an extended break, adding pressure to getaway routes from Friday onwards, particularly towards coastal destinations, countryside hotspots, airports, ports and major attractions.
The new AA research, based on 12,225 responses from AA members, suggests the getaway will be spread across the whole long weekend, with around two-thirds of drivers expecting to travel each day. Friday is expected to be the busiest day with around 23.4 million journeys, 22.8 million on Saturday, and 22.4 million on both Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
| Day | % Drivers Travelling | Total Number of Journeys |
| Friday 22 May | 68% | 23.4 million |
| Saturday 23 May | 66% | 22.8 million |
| Sunday 24 May | 65% | 22.4 million |
|
Bank Holiday Monday 25 May |
65% | 22.4 million |
“When good weather arrives after an unsettled spell, people are often more willing to make spontaneous plans, so drivers should expect popular routes to get busy quickly..”
Reasons for Travel
Most Bank Holiday journeys are expected to be local or regional, with 53% to 55% of drivers planning trips of up to 50 miles each day. Shopping is the most common reason for travelling, cited by 40% of drivers, closely followed by visiting family or friends at 39%. Almost a quarter are planning DIY or garden centre trips (23%), while 22% expect to travel for work.
Leisure traffic will also add to road volumes, with 11% planning a day trip to attractions, 8% heading to the coast, 7% taking a UK holiday and 7% going away for a long weekend.
| Reason | % |
| Shopping | 40% |
| Visiting Family/Friends | 39% |
| DIY/Garden Centre | 23% |
| Work | 22% |
| Daytrip to other attraction | 11% |
| Daytrip to the coast | 8% |
| Holiday in UK | 7% |
| Long weekend away | 7% |
| Sports Event | 6% |
| Road Trip | 5% |
| Holiday in Europe | 2% |
| Music Festival | 1% |
| Theme Park | 1% |
If the forecast holds, warmer conditions could tempt more drivers towards the coast, countryside and holiday hotspots, adding pressure to both local roads and major getaway routes. Likely hotspots include:
- local routes around shopping centres, retail parks and garden centres
- roads heading towards the east coast, including routes to resorts such as Skegness
- routes towards the South West and Cornwall, including the A303, M5 and A38
- the M4 from London and routes leading towards Wales
- the M6 towards Blackpool and the North West coast
- roads serving popular seaside towns, national parks, ports and airports
Sunday may also bring extra pressure around major football grounds and surrounding roads, with the final round of Premier League fixtures taking place across England. With matches scheduled for 4pm, football traffic could build from late morning and early afternoon, before combining with daytrip and short-break traffic later in the day.
Meanwhile, petrol this week has been closing in on the 159.0p-a-litre high of mid-April. That was petrol’s highest average pump price in three and a half years.
Compared to this time last year, petrol is 26p a litre more expensive. With the UK consuming 1.575 billion litres of petrol in May last year (HMRC), or 50.8 million daily, the huge price hike is diverting £92.5 million a week from potential consumer spending to fuel stations. That will have an impact on tourism destinations.
Before You Travel
Drivers are advised to plan journeys carefully, check traffic before setting off and leave extra time, particularly if travelling on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Sunday around football fixtures, or Bank Holiday Monday. Drivers can use the AA Route Planner to check their route before they leave, look for delays and consider alternatives if queues build on major roads.
Before setting off, drivers should remember FLOWER: Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics and Rubber. A few quick checks can help prevent avoidable breakdowns, especially when cars are carrying extra passengers, luggage or pets on longer Bank Holiday journeys. Drivers heading away for a longer break should also check their breakdown cover before travelling.
- 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: “A warm Bank Holiday weekend is exactly the kind of forecast that gets people thinking about a last-minute getaway, a day at the coast or a trip to see friends and family. When good weather arrives after an unsettled spell, people are often more willing to make spontaneous plans, so drivers should expect popular routes to get busy quickly.
“Sunday could bring another pressure point, with the final round of Premier League matches likely to add traffic around stadiums, city centres and major routes. Football fans, day-trippers and families returning from short breaks may all be on the move at similar times, so it is worth checking traffic before leaving, using the AA Route Planner to look for delays and building in extra time.
“Before setting off, we would encourage drivers to remember FLOWER — Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics and Rubber. These simple checks only take a few minutes, but they can help spot problems before they turn into breakdowns, especially when cars are carrying extra passengers, luggage or pets over longer distances.
“Fuel prices remain a real pressure on household budgets, so drivers will also want to make every litre count. Shopping around before filling up, avoiding unnecessary weight, keeping tyres properly inflated and driving smoothly can all help keep costs down. Drivers can also use the AA App to find cheaper fuel enroute, helping them avoid paying over the odds while they are away.”
* Yonder received 12,225 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 14th to 20th May 2026. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Travel volumes are calculated using an assumed figure of 34,485,000 cars on the road.