Drivers undeterred by fuel price concerns with nearly 21m Easter getaway trips planned
New figures show most drivers are sticking to Easter travel plans, despite surging pump prices
Drivers are committed to making the most of the four-day Easter bank holiday despite sharply rising fuel prices, with nearly 21m leisure journeys planned, according to a new study of drivers’ getaway plans by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX.*
With over a million more trips planned than last year, this Easter weekend is set to be the busiest on the roads since 2022 – which was the first full getaway after the Covid lockdowns.
RAC data suggests traffic will be at its busiest on Good Friday 3rd April with drivers planning around 3.3m leisure trips. Over 2.3m trips are planned on Thursday 2nd, while drivers are expected to make 3m journeys on Saturday 4th. The number of trips planned drops slightly on Easter Sunday to 2.3m, before increasing again to a further 3m on bank holiday Monday as travellers return home.
A further 6.7m journeys are anticipated at some point over the Easter bank holiday weekend, with drivers undecided on their exact date of travel. But with some early indications that the weather could warm up in time for the weekend, the number of ad hoc journeys could rise.
New separate research by the RAC also shows that while 31% of drivers are increasingly worried about rising fuel costs – driven by the current conflict in the Middle East that has seen pump prices soaring – most aren’t changing their plans. Only 6% expect to drive shorter distances and another 6% say they won’t drive at all, as a direct result of the higher prices. This is despite the fact that filling up a typical diesel family car this Easter will cost at least £19 more than it did on Good Friday in 2025, and a tank of petrol nearly £8 more, with further increases likely.
On Thursday 2nd – the day when many schools break up for the Easter holidays – some of the worst delays of more than 40 minutes are expected on the M25 clockwise between J15 and J19 around 2.45pm, and on the M4 westbound across the Prince of Wales Bridge towards Bridgend with delays of an hour and a quarter in the evening, according to data from INRIX. The anticlockwise stretch from J17 to J12 will also see similar delays closer around 4pm, close to the evening rush-hour.
Meanwhile, on Good Friday, many major roads are expected to be busy throughout the day from 10am-7pm. The M5 southbound between J15 at the RAC tower north of Bristol and J23 for Bridgwater – a key holiday route – could see journey times extended by more than 50 minutes at lunchtime, while the M25 anticlockwise between J17 and J12 may see delays of 30 minutes mid-morning, nearly trebling normal journey times.
On Saturday 4th, drivers are advised to avoid 10am to midday when traffic will be at its busiest. The M40 northbound from J12 to the Umberslade interchange with the M42 will see delays of around 48 minutes at 11am, with journey times almost four times longer than usual.
The roads are expected to be busy for most of Easter Monday as families return from their Easter trips. Delays of over an hour (65 minutes) are expected at midday in the South West on the M5 northbound between J25 for Taunton and J15 at the RAC tower. Elsewhere, the M25 clockwise between J15 to J19 will be hit with queues at 5.30pm, with journeys taking over 38 minutes longer than usual, double usual travel times.
RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader Sean Kimberlin said: “The Easter bank holiday getaway is traditionally one of the biggest of the year, and 2026 looks no different. In fact, the number of planned leisure journeys by car has risen for the second year running and as a result we expect this to be the busiest Easter on the roads since 2022, when the country opened up after the Covid lockdown.
“Despite fuel prices rising dramatically due to the conflict in the Middle East, our research suggests Easter remains incredibly important to people as it’s often the first chance to get away since Christmas or to meet up with friends and family. While a significant number of drivers are concerned about rising fuel prices, a much smaller contingent are actually changing their plans this Easter as a result. This is despite the cost of filling up a family diesel car increasing by around £19 compared to this time last year, and a tank of petrol being £8 more expensive. In the face of rising prices, we urge everyone to use the myRAC app to find the cheapest forecourts near them.
“We expect traffic levels to be consistently high from Thursday when many schools break up. We advise drivers to plan for the best time to travel if they want to avoid significant queues, especially in traffic hotspot areas such as the M5 heading towards Devon and Cornwall and the M25. Congestion is likely to be at its worst from 10am from Thursday to Saturday and on Easter Monday, so leaving early in the morning is the best way to avoid the jams.
“The Easter bank holiday is always a particularly busy period for our patrols, but many breakdowns can be avoided if drivers ensure their vehicles are fully prepared before they travel. It’s still not too late to book an RAC Mobile Mechanic who can service or repair cars at home or at work, removing the need to visit a garage and giving drivers peace of mind their vehicles are fit for a long road trip.”
National Highways’ traffic contraflow system, ‘Operation Brock’, will be in place throughout the Easter weekend from 1st to 7thApril, with lorries travelling to the Port of Dover being directed to a specific lane at Junction 8 of the M20.
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister said: “The port is preparing for a busy Easter getaway period, with an early increase in traffic expected from Friday 27th and Saturday 28th, followed by the predicted getaway volumes through to mid-April.
“Between Thursday 2nd and Sunday 19th April, we will welcome in the region of 37,000 cars through the port. To help ensure a smooth departure, we kindly ask all customers travelling with our ferry partners not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled sailing, just as you would if departing from a UK airport. We appreciate everyone’s patience, should there be any additional waiting time due to the increase in traffic levels.”
For drivers planning a long Easter getaway journey, the RAC advises booking an appointment with one of its Mobile Mechanics. RAC Mobile Mechanics can complete services and repairs on the driveway or at a customer’s place of work, giving drivers peace of mind before they hit the roads.
Notes to Editors
* Research conducted for the RAC by FindOutNow among 2,219 UK adults 20 to 23 March 2026. A nationally representative survey. Figures extrapolated to 34.5m licensed cars for predicted getaway totals
