Motoring experts are warning drivers to brace for a “frantic Friday” as an estimated 20 million leisure trips by car are expected over the August bank holiday weekend, the highest number since records began in 2015.
The RAC, a motoring services company, said the figure covers the period from Friday 28 August to Monday 31 August, which is a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The organisation predicts 4.1 million getaway journeys on Friday alone, which it says is “likely to be mired in traffic”. A further 3.8 million trips are expected on Saturday, 3.1 million on Sunday, and 3.4 million on Monday, when day-trippers will compete for road space with people returning from short breaks. An additional 5.5 million journeys are expected to be spread across the four days, with drivers unsure which day they will travel.
Transport analytics company Inrix has identified several likely congestion hotspots, including stretches of the M25, the M5, and the M1. Specific trouble spots include the M25 anticlockwise between Junction 17 in Hertfordshire and Junction 12 in Surrey, and clockwise between Junction 15 in Buckinghamshire and Junction 19 in Hertfordshire. On the M5, traffic is expected to build southbound from Junction 15 near Bristol to Junction 23 in Somerset, and northbound from Junction 11 in Gloucestershire to Junction 1 in the West Midlands. The M1 southbound from Junction 16 in Northamptonshire to Junction 6 in Hertfordshire is also flagged as a hotspot.
The warnings come as fuel prices remain elevated. According to the RAC, filling a typical 55-litre family car with petrol now costs about £89, compared with £74 a year ago, while a tank of diesel costs approximately £100, up from £79 in August 2025. The organisation attributes the higher prices to the impact on oil markets from the conflict in the Middle East.
An RAC survey of 2,939 UK drivers, conducted by research company FindOutNow on 17 August, found that 13% have scrapped their bank holiday travel plans because of higher pump prices. A further 8% said they would still make their journey but save money on other things, such as accommodation and eating out.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Harriet Hernando said: “With record numbers making a getaway over the bank holiday, it looks like Brits are buoyed by the persistent warm and dry weather and are more confident in making plans for the late summer bank holiday weekend – which is quite often a washout.”
She added: “Drivers should be ready for frantic Friday and think about setting off before 10am if they can.”
Hernando also advised motorists to prepare for potential delays: “If the warm weather continues, people should be prepared in case they get caught in a traffic jam, by carrying plenty of water.”
Breakdown rescue company Green Flag said the number of callouts it received over the summer bank holiday period last year was 13% higher than the previous weekend. It warned that many drivers may be overlooking basic vehicle checks, such as tyre pressures and levels of oil and coolant, before setting off on long journeys.
On the railways, Network Rail is carrying out less engineering work than usual for the bank holiday weekend, but some disruption remains. The East Coast Main Line will be closed between London King’s Cross and Peterborough on Sunday for digital signalling work. There will be no trains between Stafford and Wolverhampton on Sunday due to engineering work, and disruption is expected in the Leeds area between Saturday and Monday.