The coming bank holiday weekend looks set to be a bumper one with double the number of cars on the road compared to the late August bank holiday weekend last year.
In total more than 20m leisure trips are expected as many Brits set off to enjoy the last long weekend this side of Christmas.
A study of motorists’ plans by RAC Traffic Watch found Saturday will be by far the busiest day with 5 million getaways planned, up an enormous 2.5m on the same day in 2015.
Sunday’ going to be hectic with 4.4m leisure journeys taking place, double the number that was anticipated last year.
In total, the RAC estimates some 20.7 million cars will be using major roads for leisure trips between Thursday and the end of the long weekend on Monday.
A combination of the weaker pound, which is boosting the case for a late staycation in the UK, plus a determination by many Brits to make the most of an extra day off work whatever the weather has in store are both likely to be factors that explain the large number of planned journeys this year.
RAC Traffic Watch spokesman Rod Dennis said, “Our study of drivers’ plans for the late August bank holiday certainly suggests a bumper time on the roads as motorists make the most of the last long weekend before the end of the summer by jumping in the car to see friends of family.”