14 million drivers to hit the roads this weekend as summer getaway begins
Tue, 14 Jul 2026
Schools are out for summer this week. But that could mean chaos on English and Welsh roads over the weekend, with the highest number of drivers in four years expected to head off on holiday.
While Scotland's school holidays are well underway, the RAC is predicting that 14.1 million drivers will hit the road between Friday 17th July and Sunday 19th July, as most schools in the rest of the UK finish for the summer.
The number is set to be the most since 2022, when a significant 18.8 million set off on post-pandemic UK breaks.
A ‘Saturday summer scramble’ is predicted, with a huge 3.8 million journeys set to take place Saturday 18th July. Around 3.4 million trips are expected on the Friday and Sunday, making the likelihood of heavy traffic and delays possible the whole weekend.
A nation of staycationers
Thanks to the rising cost of airfares, concerns over cancelled flights and EU border delays, plus hot and settled UK weather, many are opting to stay in the UK for their main summer holiday this year, rather than travel abroad.
That's despite fuel prices climbing significantly since last summer – the RAC saying it now costs £8.90 more to fill the 55-litre tank of an average family car with petrol, or £12.20 with diesel.
The southwest and northwest of England are expected to be busiest, with 9% of all holidaymakers heading for destinations in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, or the Lake District. 8% are expected to head to Scotland, and 6% to Wales.
Holiday traffic hot spots – delays of up to 80 minutes
If you're planning to hit the road this weekend, transport data firm INRIX has advised delays are likely to begin from Thursday 16th July as some leave early to beat the jams.
The firm warns of 40-minute delays from 19:00 on the M25 clockwise from J15 to J19, while the southbound M1 between J16 to J6 is also expected to be badly affected, with delays of around 80 minutes from 10:00.
Traffic data forecasts for Friday 17th July will see delays of 45 minutes from 07:00 on the M25 anticlockwise from J17 to J12. The M60 clockwise J7 to J18 will see delays of around half-an-hour from 16:30.
The ‘Saturday summer scramble’ will be at its worst on the M25 anticlockwise J17 to J12 with delays predicted of around 30 minutes from 14:00.
"The great British summer staycation is about to get off to a flying start, with many opting to stay in the UK instead of travelling abroad," says RAC breakdown spokesperson Harriet Hernando.
"People should carry plenty of water, as well as suncream and an umbrella to provide shade. A phone charger and a portable battery pack is also a must in the event that you need to call for breakdown assistance."
