Bank Holiday Driving Tips, Beat the Traffic and Stay Safe

Bank holiday weekends are some of the busiest periods on UK roads. Millions of drivers set off at roughly the same time, heading to roughly the same places, on roads that weren't designed for that volume of traffic. A little planning goes a long way.

Timing matters more than you think

The worst congestion typically occurs on Friday evening and Saturday morning at the start of a bank holiday weekend, and Sunday afternoon to Monday evening at the end. If you have flexibility, leaving early on Saturday morning (before 7am) or travelling on the bank holiday Monday itself can save you hours.

The RAC and AA publish traffic forecasts before every bank holiday, a quick check can help you avoid the worst pinch points.

Check your car before you go

A breakdown on a bank holiday is worse than a normal one. Recovery services are stretched thin, wait times are longer, and garages are often closed. Spend ten minutes checking the basics before you leave:

• Tyre pressures and tread depth, especially if you're carrying a full car
• Engine oil level, check on level ground with the engine cool
• Coolant level, critical in both summer heat and winter cold
• Screenwash, top up with the right concentration for the season
• Lights, all working, including brake lights (ask someone to check while you press the pedal)

Fuel strategy

Don't assume you'll find cheap fuel on the motorway, service station prices are consistently 10-20p per litre higher than supermarket forecourts. Fill up before you join the motorway. If you're passing through unfamiliar areas, Revn shows live fuel prices nearby so you can find the best option without guessing.

Plan for delays

Expect journey times to be 30-60% longer than normal on popular routes. Factor this into your plans, especially if you have a check-in time at a hotel or holiday park. Carry water, snacks, and entertainment for children. Make sure your phone is charged and you have a car charger.

If you're using a sat nav, check for traffic updates before you leave and be prepared to take alternative routes. The main arteries (M5, M4, A30, A303) are very likely to have delays on popular weekends.

Motorway driving

If you don't regularly drive on motorways, bank holiday traffic requires extra attention:

• Keep left unless overtaking, middle-lane hogging causes congestion and is a traffic offence
• Maintain a safe following distance, at least two seconds in dry conditions, four in wet
• Use smart motorway signs, variable speed limits and lane closures are there for a reason
• Don't stop on the hard shoulder unless it's an emergency, use service stations for breaks

Don't forget the paperwork

A bank holiday trip is a bad time to discover your MOT expired last week or your insurance doesn't cover you for the journey. Revn tracks your MOT, insurance, and road tax dates automatically, so you get a reminder before anything lapses, not a nasty surprise at a police check.

Bank holidays should be enjoyable. The drivers who have the best time are usually the ones who spent ten minutes preparing before they left.