Bank Holiday traffic warning issued as millions hit the road for ‘stressful’ weekend

More than 15 million Brits are expected to take to the road to make the most of the long weekend

00:06, 23 Aug 2025

The bank holiday weekend is on its way, and it is expected that over 15 million drivers will hit our roads. While we may be desperate to make the most of our extra day off, this extra traffic will mean our motorways will be especially busy, with lengthy traffic delays looking likely.

Transport analytics company Inrix has predicted the M5[1] between Bristol and Devon will have the most severe getaway traffic. It said the stretch from junction 15 north of Bristol to junction 23 for Bridgwater is likely to see delays of more than 40 minutes on Friday and Saturday.

The M20 and M25 are also expected to be affected.

But luckily, according to one expert, there are steps we can take to avoid the motorway mayhem as much as possible. From avoiding travel at peak times, to checking our cars before driving, there are simple steps that Brits can take to ensure the most stress-free travel possible.

As people aim to get to their long weekend destination as soon as possible, Friday and Saturday are the busiest two days for driving - particularly during the afternoon. If you plan to arrive early to your holiday accommodation, or see your family or friends on that day, you will likely be caught up in traffic congestion.

The May Day weekend this year saw an increase of over a quarter (28 per cent) in slower speeds on UK motorways.

Automotive expert Nick Zapolski, founder of ChooseMyCar.com[2], says that there are a number of steps we can take to make sure we aren't stuck behind slow-moving cars on our journey - and some are very simple.

"With the bank holiday[3] weekend around the corner, it's tempting to make the most of an extra day off work and get in your car and to your destination as soon as possible. However, doing this will likely mean that your journey will take longer and be a lot more stressful," he said.

"If you can, travel in the morning or late evening. Afternoons, especially on Friday and Saturday, are the busiest travel times, so it's best to avoid the roads then.

If you wish to make your journey as soon as possible without traffic, driving on Thursday after work is also an option.

"Finally, if you don't want to add to the problem of busy traffic, make sure you check your car before you drive. Cars are more likely to break down on motorways during summer, and it will be difficult to get a breakdown provider to arrive quickly, as they are already very busy on weekends.

"By taking the right steps, you can spend your bank holiday out and about with family and friends, rather than stuck in traffic."

Avoid travel at peak times

Many people - over 15 million is expected - will be making leisure journeys on bank holiday weekend, with some times being busier than others for travel. If travelling over the weekend is unavoidable, make your journey before 10am, before traffic levels start to peak.

Be prepared for a jam

Even with the best of planning, traffic jams happen.

It is always best to be prepared, especially in the heat. Always carry a large bottle of water in your car, plus some snacks if travelling with younger children, and a power bank to keep your phone charged.

Check scheduled roadworks

There are plenty of roadworks scheduled across the road network throughout the UK, and you can easily see any road closures via the one network website. This simple map is where local councils list any traffic disruptions.

Use an effective map

With the development of technology, phones will likely be a navigational tool for drivers, with over a third (38.5 per cent) of Brits using their phone for directions while driving.

Make sure your phone is safely positioned inside a phone mount, instead of in your hand - a study last year revealed that phones were the most common cause of road-related accidents at 15 per cent.

Plan your route - and don't be afraid to divert

While driving on motorways is usually the quickest way to help us get from A to B, a regular 30-minute journey on such roads can take up to nearly three hours on a bank holiday weekend. If possible, avoid long motorway stretches as much as you can. Even if travelling via side roads takes you a bit longer, you will likely reduce stress levels by doing so.

Take a break

Driving can be stressful even without bank holiday traffic, and it is advisable that you take regular breaks if you're making a long journey - the Highway Code recommends that you take at least a 15-minute break every two hours.

For an even more stress-free drive, use a service station, or even a pub or restaurant, to park your car and relax. This will ensure that you effectively split your trip into chunks, so that you are not spending your entire journey stuck behind slow-moving cars.

Check your car before driving

It is vital to make sure your car works before any journey regardless of length - the AA suggests that you perform six vital checks on your vehicle before driving, using the "FLOWER" (Fuel, Lights, Oil, Water, Electrics, Rubber) method. By ensuring that your car is in tip-top shape, you may prevent even more traffic for other drivers behind you.

The last thing you or anyone wants is for your car to break down on a bank holiday.

Not only are July and August the most prolific months for motorway breakdowns (over 26,000 last year), but breakdown providers are already busy over the weekend, and may not be able to fix your car in good time.

Remain calm

Driving can be stressful, particularly if there is lengthy traffic, so it's vital that you make your journey in the most risk-averse way possible.

Stress can cause a rise in aggressive driving, which resulted in over a quarter (27 per cent) of car collisions last year.

To avoid long-term damage to you or your car, remain calm while driving and take breaks whenever you feel stressed.

If you are driving your family, pack food, drinks or games (or invent your own) to keep yourselves entertained.

References

1. ^ the M5 (www.devonlive.com)
2. ^ ChooseMyCar.com (choosemycar.com)
3. ^ bank holiday (www.devonlive.com)