Schools out: The roads to avoid as summer holiday getaway begins

RAC research suggests the nation will be gripped in a mass getaway as the school summer holidays begin this week.

As many as 13 million separate journeys could be undertaken as we head for the sea, the sand and other top tourist destinations.

The day schools break up, known as 'Frantic Friday', will see some 5.3 million getaways by car, which added to normal daily traffic, could mean it is the worst day of the year on the roads.

Saturday is also looking busy, with five million leisure trips planned and a further 3.4 million on Sunday.

So to help avoid the queues, the RAC have produced a map showing where they expect to see the worst delays, enabling you to plan your journey more effectively.

RAC map showing expected delays Summer 2019

Data from INRIX, the transportation analytics specialists, shows the M1 and M25 will likely witness some of the longest jams of between 60 and 90 minutes.

Some further significant queues are also forecast towards the end of this week and into the weekend on the M40, M5 and M6.

Trevor Reed, transportation analyst at INRIX, said: "With record-level travellers hitting the road for the start of summer, drivers must be prepared for delays on popular routes.

"Although travel times are expected to increase throughout the weekend, Friday afternoon will be the worst time to be on the road as commuters mix with holiday travellers."

The RAC have also created a table with information about when the best times are to travel this weekend.

With many families planning to take a break over the weekend, and with vehicle breakdowns expecting to soar, the RAC and INRIX are backing Highway England's campaign.

It calls on every driver to check their vehicle before they set out.

RAC patrol of the year, Ben Aldous, said: "The last thing any family wants is a breakdown spoiling the start of their summer holiday they’ve no doubt been looking forward to for a long time.

"Traffic jams are pretty much guaranteed from the end of this weekend and while it’s possible to predict where some of these will be, every summer we see extra delays caused by broken-down vehicles blocking lanes, leaving drivers faced with hours of frustration."

The RAC's tips to keep us all moving

Drivers should remember their ‘FORCES’:

Fuel – Don’t risk running out of fuel – top up before you set out
Oil – check it’s at the right level to reduce the chances of overheating in traffic
Rubber – tyres need to be properly inflated and in good condition to give your car a safe, sure grip on the road
Coolant – this does a vital job in ensuring the engine runs at the right temperature. If it’s not between the ‘min’ and ‘max’ levels, this could be the sign of a problem so contact a good garage without delay
Electrics – your wipers will help keep your windscreen clear of bugs, and you’ll need your lights on during any heavy downpours. The electrics also control your indicators and windows, so check there are no problems
Screenwash – helps keep your windscreen clear

The RAC has also put together a comprehensive guide on to how to avoid breakdowns experienced in warmer weather to help drivers.

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