Drivers are being warned to expect long delays over Easter as millions of getaway trips lead to soaring traffic volumes and congested motorways.
The RAC said that more than 14m journeys on some popular routes could take twice as long as normal, as the first bank holiday weekend of the spring coincides with the start of a two-week holiday for many schools.
Rail travel will also be disrupted as Network Rail carries out engineering work, with the southern section of the West coast mainline closed between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
The RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “With Easter falling earlier than usual at the start of the school holidays, it could be carmageddon for holidaymakers.
“Lengthy queues can be expected along routes to the usual hotspots like the West Country, the Lake District and the south coast, especially during the middle of the day when most people make trips.”
The worst congestion is expected to occur on Thursday between 2pm and 7pm, as the extra leisure traffic competes for road space with regular commuters.
Good Friday, with 2.6m leisure journeys by car, is predicted to be the busiest day of the holiday period, according to a survey conducted by the research company Find Out Now for the RAC and transport analysis company Inrix.
However, at least 2m getaway trips are expected each day between Thursday and Easter Monday, with a further 3.3m Easter leisure journeys planned by drivers who are still undecided exactly what day they will travel.
The Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue said: “Although travel times will peak on Thursday and Friday afternoons, drivers should be prepared for longer journeys than normal throughout the entire weekend.
“To avoid the longest delays, we advise adjusting departure times so you’re not travelling in peak commuter hours.”
The company added that the busiest route is expected to be the western section of the M25 between the M23 for Gatwick and the M1 for Hertfordshire. Journeys on this stretch from 4pm are expected to take over two hours, which is more than twice as long as usual.
On Good Friday, the lengthiest delays are expected to be between 11am and 3pm.
Two popular routes for holidaymakers – the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton, and the M3 between the M25 and the south coast – are likely to be congested, with estimated journey times more than double what they normally are, Inrix’s research suggests.
Network Rail is also urging train passengers to check their journey details before they travel as some major routes will be closed due to engineering work.
The main line between London Euston and Milton Keynes will be shut for four days from Good Friday. There will also be disruption in the areas around Glasgow and Huddersfield.
