The RAC has warned drivers to stay off roads between 11am and 7pm on Friday, as 19 million trips are expected over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. The motoring organization has identified the best and worst times to travel to help motorists avoid congestion.
Millions of Journeys Expected
According to the RAC Media Foundation, 4 million journeys will be made on Friday, 1 May, followed by 4 million on Saturday, 2 May, and 3 million on both Sunday, 3 May, and Monday, 4 May. The worst times to travel on Friday are between 11am and 7pm, with the RAC urging motorists to avoid hotspots.
Advice from the RAC
The RAC advised: "Beating the traffic is another key part of any bank holiday weekend. Leaving earlier than everyone else is the best tactic, but those with young families may well struggle to do this." Sean Kimberlin, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, added: "Our long-term data shows that Saturday morning from 10am to lunchtime will see the heaviest traffic, almost certainly on the M5 from Bristol to Taunton as people head to Devon and Cornwall. If that's the way you're heading on Saturday, getting past the RAC tower at the M4/M5 interchange as early as possible is a good goal."
Best and Worst Travel Times
- Friday: Worst times 11am-7pm; best before 10am.
- Saturday: Worst times 10am-3pm; best after 3pm.
- Sunday: Worst times 10am-3pm; best after 3pm.
- Monday: Best times after 3pm.
The research was conducted for the RAC by FindOutNow among 2,218 people on 22 and 23 April 2026. The RAC stated that the figures have been "extrapolated to 34.5m licensed cars for predicted getaway totals."
Rail Travel Advice
Anit Chandarana, a group director for Network Rail, commented: "There is no right way to do major work on our railway, but bank holidays are still among the least busy times for us in terms of passenger numbers and freight services. Those extra days with fewer travellers give us an opportunity to do longer projects that we couldn't do in a normal two-day weekend or overnight. So while most of our railway is open as usual over the bank holidays this May, there are some major exceptions. I'd advise everyone to plan ahead and check before they travel."
