The M4 between Cardiff and Swansea is becoming a national traffic hot spot for delays and jams, says the RAC.
It is warning motorists planning a getaway today and returning Monday that the 45-mile section is likely to face serious delays at peak times.
Port Talbot is the worst bottleneck but jams can also be expected on the approach to the end of the motorway at Pont Abraham and the Newport tunnels once traffic has cleared the conjested Severn Tolls plaza.
Further afield, the RAC is warning motorists planning on taking to the roads for the May Day Bank Holiday weekend to expect a frantic Friday followed by a supercharged Saturday and Sunday of traffic. Best day for weather is expected to be Saturday.
Weather permitting, record numbers of leisure journeys are due to be made this weekend as Brits seek to make the most of the extra day off work, meaning holiday traffic levels should far exceed those seen at Easter.
The getaway will begin on Friday when RAC Traffic Watch research shows 5.4m leisure journeys will be made as motorists try to beat the rush – perhaps creating one in doing so.
Saturday is predicted to see a sensational 8.4m car trips, Sunday 6.9m and Bank Holiday Monday 4.8m, taking the weekend tally to 20.1m.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said, “The number of people who plan to use their cars for leisure trips, whether that’s visiting family and friends or enjoying a day out or some time away, is far greater this year than last.
“In fact our data shows us that we are likely to see a similar volume of car use as we did at Easter which is traditionally the biggest driving bank holiday weekend of the year.
“This level of recreational car journeys is the highest we have seen in recent times. We think it can only be a hangover effect from Easter falling in late March when perhaps people didn’t drive as much as they would have had it been April when the weather would have been a little warmer.
“Now the clocks have gone forward and we’ve already had a feel of warmer weather there’s every reason to head for the traditional weekend getaway spots in the hope of being able to enjoy some fun in the sun. As a result we are expecting more than nine million more car journeys than on the last May Day Bank Holiday.
“And, despite petrol and diesel prices going up at the moment the average price of fuel is still 7p a litre cheaper than it was this time last year which means it costs nearly £4 less to fill up a 55-litre family car, making every trip that bit more affordable.”
