Day this weekend you may want to avoid car | Tech News

Fuel costs may be rising sharply, however it would not appear to be placing UK drivers off making essentially the most of the upcoming long weekend. A new research suggests there are nearly 21 million journeys deliberate.

Research from the RAC and visitors analytics specialists INRIX suggests there are more than a million more journeys deliberate this 12 months than in 2025, with this Easter weekend set to be the busiest on the roads since 2022 – which was the primary full getaway after the Covid lockdowns.

RAC information implies that the worst day for visitors will probably be Good Friday, April 3, with some 3.3 million journeys anticipated. More than 2.3 million journeys are deliberate on Thursday, April 2, whereas drivers are anticipated to make 3 million journeys on Saturday, April 4.

The quantity of journeys deliberate drops barely on Easter Sunday to 2.3 million, earlier than growing again to a additional 3 million on bank vacation Monday as travellers return home.

An extra 6.7 million journeys are anticipated in some unspecified time in the future over the Easter bank vacation weekend, with drivers undecided on their actual date of journey.

But with some early indications that the climate may heat up in time for the weekend, the quantity of advert hoc journeys may rise.

On Good Friday, many main roads are anticipated to be busy all through the day from 10am-7pm. On Saturday, drivers are suggested to avoid 10am to noon when visitors will probably be at its busiest.

The roads are additionally anticipated to be busy for many of Easter Monday, as households return from their Easter journeys.

RAC cellular servicing and repairs crew chief Sean Kimberlin mentioned: “The Easter bank holiday getaway is traditionally one of the biggest of the year, and 2026 looks no different. In fact, the number of planned leisure journeys by car has risen for the second year running and as a result we expect this to be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022, when the country opened up after the Covid lockdown.

“Despite fuel costs rising dramatically due to the battle within the Middle East, our analysis suggests Easter stays extremely important to people because it’s usually the primary likelihood to get away since Christmas or to meet up with family and friends.

“While a significant number of drivers are concerned about rising fuel prices, a much smaller contingent are actually changing their plans this Easter as a result.

“This is regardless of the associated fee of filling up a household diesel car growing by round £19 in contrast to this time final 12 months, and a tank of petrol being £8 more costly. In the face of rising costs, we urge everybody to use the myRAC app to discover the most affordable forecourts close to them.

“We expect traffic levels to be consistently high from Thursday when many schools break up. We advise drivers to plan for the best time to travel if they want to avoid significant queues, especially in traffic hotspot areas such as the M5 heading towards Devon and Cornwall and the M25.

“Congestion is probably going to be at its worst from 10am from Thursday to Saturday and on Easter Monday, so leaving early within the morning is the best manner to avoid the jams.

“The Easter bank holiday is always a particularly busy period for our patrols, but many breakdowns can be avoided if drivers ensure their vehicles are fully prepared before they travel.”