As the Easter bank holiday approaches, the RAC has issued a stark warning to motorists about the anticipated traffic chaos expected on UK roads. With over 19 million leisure journeys planned between Thursday, April 18, 2025, and Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, this year’s holiday weekend is set to be the busiest since 2022.
According to research conducted by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX, an estimated 2.7 million trips are planned each day during the holiday period, with the busiest travel days expected to be Thursday, Good Friday, and Saturday. Traffic is projected to be “equally severe” across these days, leading to what the RAC describes as a potential “hat-trick of hold-ups.”
Traffic jams are expected to increase by nearly a third (30%) more than usual, particularly on Thursday, April 18, when INRIX predicts significant delays on major routes. Specific hotspots include a 35-mile stretch of the M25 from Junction 7 for Gatwick Airport to Junction 16 for the M40, where delays could exceed an hour around 11:45 AM.
In addition to the M25, the M6 north of Chester and the M25 clockwise towards Godstone in Surrey are also expected to experience long delays during the holiday weekend. RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson emphasized that the late bank holiday coincides with the end of the Easter break for many schools, which will likely change the nature of this year’s getaway.
Simpson noted, “Although journey numbers are still very high, we’re anticipating more day trips and weekend breaks than people heading off on one and two-week stints. This could lead to a hat-trick of hold-ups on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as drivers visit family and friends.”
Motorists are advised to avoid peak travel times, particularly on Good Friday, April 19, between 11 AM and 1 PM, when the longest hold-ups are expected. Popular routes to the West Country, such as the A303 westbound to Stonehenge and the M5 southbound from Bristol, are anticipated to experience some of the longest jams, with journey times potentially extending by 43 minutes and up to an hour and 20 minutes, respectively.
For those returning from the West Country on Easter Monday, April 21, delays of nearly an hour (58 minutes) are expected on the M5 northbound between Junction 25 for Taunton and Junction 16 at the RAC tower around 2:30 PM. The Port of Dover is also preparing for a busy weekend, expecting to process around 5,500 cars embarking on outbound ferry sailings on Good Friday.
Doug Bannister, Chief Executive at the Port of Dover, remarked, “Thanks to the hard work of our operational team, our French and UK partners, and the travelling public, we’ve seen strong passenger numbers move smoothly through the port this Easter break. Looking ahead to the bank holiday weekend, we’re forecasting a busy day on Thursday when we expect around 5,000 cars, and Friday with around 5,500 cars heading on their holidays from early morning until lunchtime.”
To manage the expected traffic surge, the traffic management system Operation Brock will remain in place throughout the weekend until April 22, 2025. This system is designed to direct lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel into a specific lane, involving a reduced 50 mph speed limit on the M20.
Network Rail is also conducting engineering work in several locations over the weekend, which will disrupt services on various routes. The most significant impact will be at London Euston, where there will be no services to or from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with a reduced timetable on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
In terms of holiday plans, VisitEngland has reported that about 10.6 million British adults are planning to take a holiday in the UK during the bank holiday period. Additionally, aviation analytics company Cirium has indicated that 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart from UK airports between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Simpson advised drivers to prepare for their journeys ahead of time, stating, “It’s always best to travel as early as possible in the morning or later in the day when most of the traffic has eased, especially if headed to popular holiday destinations such as the West Country, Scotland, or Wales.”
Despite the anticipated congestion, there is a silver lining for those embarking on their Easter getaways: lower fuel prices. Recent discussions around trade tariffs have pushed oil prices down, which may lead to lower petrol and diesel prices at the pumps if retailers pass on these savings.
As families and friends prepare for their Easter getaways, the RAC and traffic analysts urge all drivers to remain vigilant and plan their journeys carefully to avoid the worst of the holiday traffic. With millions of trips expected, the roads will be busier than ever, making it essential for motorists to stay informed and ready for potential delays.
