Millions of motorists are embarking on Easter getaway trips across the UK this week despite the escalating cost of fuel at the pumps.
Motoring organisation the AA estimated a staggering 21.7 million journeys were planned for Thursday alone.
This figure, derived from a survey of over 13,000 members conducted between March 13-19, predates the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East.
Separately, the RAC predicted this Easter would see the busiest roads since 2022.
Oil prices, which significantly influence wholesale fuel costs, have surged in response to Iran’s tightening grip on tankers navigating the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
The RAC said the average price of a litre of diesel at UK forecourts on Wednesday was 184.2p, up 29% since the war started on February 28.
Average petrol prices have reached 153.7p per litre, a rise of 16% over the same period.
Most drivers are planning to keep their Easter journeys relatively short, according to the AA.
Just over half (53%) expect to travel under 50 miles, with 5% planning trips of between 50 and 100 miles.
About 1% expect to travel between 100 and 200 miles, with fewer than 1% planning to clock up more than 200 miles.
Visiting family and friends is the most common Easter road journey purpose, with work and shopping trips also featuring prominently.
Expected congestion hotspots include:
- The M6 through Birmingham and further north towards Blackpool.
- The M25 between the M23 and M40.
- The M5 in the Bristol area and further into the South West.
- The A303 in Wiltshire.
- The M4 in South Wales.
National Highways said it will lift 1,500 miles of roadworks from its network of motorways and major A roads in England between Thursday and Easter Monday to ease journeys.
Drivers embarking on Easter trips to continental Europe are advised to save money by refuelling before they leave the UK.
Analysis of the latest European Commission data by motoring research charity the RAC Foundation found the average price of a litre of petrol in France on March 23 was £1.71, some 25p more than in the UK (£1.46 per litre).
A number of other European countries also had significantly higher prices than the UK, such as the Netherlands (203p per litre), Germany (180p per litre) and Belgium (£156p per litre),
The figures show diesel prices were also higher on the continent, with forecourts in France (183p per litre) and the Netherlands (214p per litre) charging 13p and 44p per litre respectively more than those in the UK (170p per litre).
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “For those driving on the continent this Easter it is a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire.
“If pump prices are high here – and indeed they are – then in many parts of Europe they have gone through the roof, including in France.
“It might seem counterintuitive, but filling up at Dover rather than in Calais could be the wise option.”
Travel trade organisation Abta estimated that two million people from the UK will travel abroad between Good Friday and Easter Monday.
UK holidaymakers jetting off to the European Union are being warned to expect two-hour delays on arrival as countries are ramping up the deployment of a new border system.
The EU’s Entry Exit System involves people from third-party countries such as the UK having their fingerprints registered and photograph taken to enter the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries, mainly in the EU.
Trade body Airports Council International said the latest data collected from airports across Europe shows a “continued deterioration in waiting times at border crossing points”.
Delays are “regularly reaching up to two hours at peak traffic times, with some airports reporting even longer queues”, it added.
EasyJet said it is preparing for its busiest Easter getaway, with up to 16,000 flights from UK airports during the two-week school break.
Meanwhile, thousands of Easter train journeys will be disrupted as Network Rail carries out more than 270 upgrade projects across Britain.
This includes a six-day shutdown on the West Coast Main Line starting on Good Friday, meaning no intercity services will run between London Euston and Milton Keynes.
