21m getaway trips planned as schools break for Easter

More than 21m leisure journeys are expected to be made by car this weekend as most schools in England finish for the Easter holidays, according to an RAC survey of drivers’ getaway plans.*

Friday 4 April – the day the Easter term ends for most schools – and Saturday 5 April could spell some of the worst delays for drivers as an estimated 3.4m trips are due to be made each day. This is 700,000 more than the 2.7m journeys planned for both Thursday 3 and Sunday 6 April, and nearly 1m more than the 2.4m expected on Monday 7 April.

An additional 6.8m journeys will be staggered between Friday 4 and Sunday 6 April, with drivers unsure exactly when they’ll hit the road on those dates.

With a quarter (25%) of drivers admitting to suffering a vehicle breakdown on holiday, the RAC is advising all holidaymakers to ensure their vehicles are road-ready.** Dashboard warning lights, signs of coolant leaks or temperature gauges that go up abnormally, are all reasons to book an RAC Mobile Mechanic appointment for a convenient diagnosis and fix at home or work.

When asked about the reasons for their vehicle breaking down, nearly two-in-10 (19%) drivers fell foul of punctures, often caused by poor quality roads or heavily worn tyres.*** A further 15% experienced a ‘flat start’ to their getaway trips due to alternator and starter motor issues, while 13% found themselves stuck due to engine overheating.

One-in-10 (10%) drivers said problems with their vehicle’s electronic control unit led to a holiday breakdown, while the same proportion (10%) have had their relaxing getaways marred by flat batteries.

A quarter (25%) said they broke down for a variety of other reasons such as low engine oil; issues with timing belts; faulty fuel systems; electrical and ignition problems or broken windows and wipers.

RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “A vehicle breakdown has no place on a holiday itinerary, so the more you can do to ensure your car is in the best possible condition before you go, the lower your chances of suffering one.

“With a massive 21m journeys expected this weekend, it’s more than likely that roads to popular holiday destinations will see their fair share of traffic. These are not only tiring to endure but increase fuel consumption significantly.

“In the worst-case scenario, riding the clutch in stop-start traffic can increase wear on its components and lead to premature failure. Also, in slow moving traffic, the airflow into the engine compartment is reduced and can cause overheating issues, especially in older vehicles or those with faulty cooling fans.

“Knowing the Easter bank holiday weekend is approaching in a few weeks, we’re advising drivers to use their time now wisely. If you’re in any doubt about the condition of your car or there’s an MOT advisory that needs addressing, it’s far better to book a service or repair in advance of your trip to minimise chances of a breakdown later.

“An RAC Mobile Mechanic can complete both of these on the driveway along with checking tyres and battery-related issues – some of the leading causes of holiday breakdowns. There’s no need to squeeze in a last-minute trip to the garage either as our mechanics come to you – at home or work.”

For complete peace of mind, all RAC Mobile Mechanics’ servicing is carried out to a standard that protects residual vehicle values and ensures vehicle manufacturer warranties remain valid.

The RAC’s technicians are multi-skilled and can complete full services, full diagnostic checks and oil changes as well as many repairs, avoiding further future vehicle downtime. RAC Mobile Mechanics has an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating, demonstrating the quality of service delivered.

Ends

Notes to Editors

* Research for the RAC among 3,041 UK adults w/c 17 March 2025. A nationally representative survey. Figures extrapolated to all UK registered cars – 33.9m

** As above

*** Research for the RAC among 1,012 UK adults w/c 24 March 2025, only surveying those whose car has ever broken down while away for a UK day trip or holiday. Not nationally representative