Best and worst times to travel according to motoring experts this bank holiday weekend

Wales Online

23-05-2025

Best and worst times to travel according to motoring experts this bank holiday weekend
The RAC and transport analysts Inrix have warned of a potential 'double dose of delays' with the bank holiday weekend preceding half term
Traffic Wales has warned that several major events, including In It Together in Margam, will create additional traffic over Bank Holiday weekend
(Image: Jessie Myers )
Drivers have been warned of the best and worst times to travel as there's set to be more than 17.9m road trips over the late May bank holiday weekend. Almost four in ten journeys are expected to be squeezed into the first two days, according to research.
The RAC and transport analysts Inrix have warned of a potential 'double dose of delays' on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, when the highest number of leisure trips are projected to be made by car – 3.4 million on both days respectively.
This figure drops slightly to 2.7 million on Sunday, jumping to 3m on Bank Holiday Monday, for the start of half-term.
With most getaway trips due to begin before lunchtime, the research suggests the best times to hit the road will be very early in the morning or into the evening. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
A majority 68% of drivers say they will head off at some point between 5am and 12pm. 14% plan to leave between 5am and 8am, and nearly a third (30%) intend to travel mid-morning between 8am and 10am, with a further quarter (24%) will set off later between 10am and 12pm.
Traffic is expected to peter out significantly later in the day, with those that can do so advised to leave their journeys as late as possible. According to the RAC's analysis, just 3% of motorists are planning trips between 7pm and 11pm after the evening rush hour.
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Traffic Wales has warned that traffic is set to increase by approximately 15% on the M4 near Cardiff, with major events set to be held.
They are as follows:
EPCR Challenge Cup Final - May 23, kick off 8pm, at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Investec Champions Cup Final - May 24, kick off 2.45pm, at Principality Stadium, Cardiff
In It Together Festival, May 23 to 25, from 10am onwards, at Old Park Farm, Margam, Port Talbot
Eisteddfod yr Urdd, May 26 to 31, at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot
Traffic Wales has previously warned that the busiest hotspots when traffic is most congested during holidays weekend periods are the M4 junction 28 to 29, the M4 junction 24 Coldra, and the A48 Carmarthen.
Planned roadworks over the coming months could also mean the roads are busier.
One lane will be closed due to resurfacing work on M4 Prince of Wales Bridge westbound between junction 22 M49 and M4 junction 23 / M48. There will be some overnight closures until July 7.
Inrix is also warning M25 users to plan well ahead over the bank holiday weekend, as the UK's busiest motorway is expected to bear the brunt of the worst delays.
On Friday, May 23, the day most drivers will be setting off, the M25 anticlockwise from junction four to junction one, near the Dartford Crossing, may see lunchtime journeys delayed by more than 45 minutes compared to normal. Later in the day, the M25 anticlockwise between Cobham services (junction 10) and Clacket Lane services (junction six) may face queues of 35 minutes longer at 5pm during the evening rush hour.
Elsewhere, multiple routes connecting the west Country to the rest of the UK are expected to carry the lion's share of journeys on Saturday, May 24. Stretches of the A30 westbound towards Okehampton, the M5 southbound to Bridgwater and the A303 westbound past Stonehenge may suffer hold-ups of up to 55 minutes more than usual.
With the bank holiday weekend marking the start of the school half-term break in many parts of the UK, there's little reprieve for drivers travelling home on Friday, May 30, when return journey times are expected to increase across the country by more than a third (35%).
Offering guidance for drivers ahead of the long weekend, RAC mobile mechanic Aaron Bryan said: 'Our research shows it really is best to leave as early or late as possible this bank holiday weekend, as the majority of motorists are planning to set off in the morning. If the warm weather continues, travelling at cooler hours of the day saves fuel, puts less strain on the air conditioning system, and means older cars have much less chance of overheating.
'Regardless of the weather, always check your vehicle's oil and coolant levels before setting off, as well as tyre pressure and tread depth.
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'In hot temperatures, it's wise to carry lots of water, food and a tool kit, with jump leads, torch and some first aid basics. In the worst-case scenario of a breakdown, make sure you've got an umbrella and sunscreen to provide shade for all passengers when awaiting assistance."
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