Drivers face the busiest roads since 2022 as almost 21 million trips are planned for the easter weekend, officials warn. Congestion is expected from Thursday through Easter Monday on major routes in the West and across the UK, with airports and ports preparing for heavy flows. Transport operators and authorities have published travel guidance and targeted works to reduce delays.
Easter road, rail and port pressure points
Traffic levels are set to be consistently high across the long weekend, with the RAC and traffic data providers projecting this will be the busiest Easter roads period since 2022. Drivers are being advised to set off early: congestion is likely to be worst from 05: 00 ET on each day from Thursday to Saturday and on Easter Monday. National Highways plans to lift 1, 500 miles of roadworks over the period to ease pinch points.
On specific corridors, the RAC warns journey times on the M5 southbound between junction 15 at the Almondsbury Interchange and junction 23 for Bridgwater could be extended by more than 50 minutes at lunchtime on Good Friday (around 07: 00 ET). It also predicts delays of over an hour between junction 25 for Taunton and junction 15 at midday on Easter Monday (around 07: 00 ET as well).
Rail operators will run most of the network but some engineering will affect services: Great Western Railway has advised passengers to check before they travel because track renewals and signalling work will impact trains from 13: 00 ET on Good Friday. Replacement transport is planned on several routes, and some trains will be diverted or stopped at alternative stations.
Ferry and airport hubs are preparing for heavy demand. The Port of Dover expects to process about 37, 000 cars between Thursday and Sunday; Doug Bannister, chief executive, Port of Dover, urged passengers not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled departure time to ensure a “smooth” process. Bristol Airport expects roughly 150, 000 passengers over the Easter weekend.
Immediate reactions from transport experts and officials
Lee Morley, AA expert patrol, said: “Some people may have changed their plans from travelling overseas and therefore travelling closer to home. ” That shift helps explain the rise in domestic overnight trips: VisitEngland data cites 12. 5 million people planning an overnight trip within the UK versus 7. 4 million planning travel abroad, with 1. 9 million more than last year and 5. 1 million still undecided.
On fuel concerns, Sean Kimberlin, RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, said: “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. ” The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, reassured motorists that there was “no need to do anything other than what is normal” and said petrol stations are “well-stocked nationally and any suggestion otherwise is incorrect”.
Jake Kelly, Network Rail regional director for North West and Central, described bank holidays as “among the least busy times on the railway”, noting that the majority of routes will be open even where planned work will cause local changes.
Quick context and what to expect next
Travel research and operational plans point to a busy, domestic-focused Easter pattern, with close to 21 million getaways planned despite concerns over fuel costs. Operators have scheduled targeted measures—raised liftings of roadworks, replacement transport for rail engineering and port traffic management—to limit disruption.
Looking ahead, drivers and passengers should monitor operator updates ahead of departure windows and allow extra time for journeys; authorities will continue adjusting traffic and service plans through the bank holiday. Expect travel advisories and targeted relief measures to be the primary tools used to manage flows over the rest of the easter weekend.
