UK Bank Holiday Traffic 2025: Dates & Tips
Bank holiday weekends are notorious for traffic chaos on UK motorways. With millions of drivers heading off on holiday, journey times can triple or worse. Here's your complete guide to 2025 bank holidays with traffic predictions and tips to beat the queues.
â ī¸ Worst Days to Travel in 2025
Easter (17-21 April) and August Bank Holiday (22-25 August) are predicted to be the busiest traffic periods of 2025. If possible, avoid travelling on these dates entirely.
2025 UK Bank Holidays Calendar
| Date | Day | Bank Holiday | Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year's Day | Low |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday | Very High |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday | Very High |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday | High |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday | Very High |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday | Very High |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day | Low |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day | Medium |
Note: Scotland and Northern Ireland have some different bank holidays. These dates apply to England and Wales.
Worst Travel Days of 2025
Based on historical data and school holiday calendars, these are the days to avoid if possible:
17-18 April - Easter Getaway
Leave before 6am or after 8pm
25-26 May - Spring Bank Holiday
Avoid M25, M1, M6 midday Friday
25 July - Summer Holiday Start
School holidays begin - chaos
22-25 August - August Bank Holiday
Worst weekend of the year
19-23 December - Christmas Getaway
Travel early morning or late evening
How to Beat Bank Holiday Traffic
1. Travel at Unusual Times
The worst traffic typically occurs:
- Friday before bank holiday: 2pm - 8pm (getaway traffic)
- Saturday morning: 10am - 2pm (day-trippers)
- Monday: 2pm - 8pm (return traffic)
Better times to travel: Early morning (before 7am), late evening (after 8pm), or mid-week if you can take extra leave.
2. Use Traffic Apps
Real-time apps can save hours:
- Waze: Best for real-time updates and alternative routes
- Google Maps: Reliable traffic predictions
- National Highways App: Official roadwork and incident info
3. Consider Alternative Routes
Sometimes the M6 Toll is worth it on bank holidays - the free M6 through Birmingham can be gridlocked while the toll road flows freely. Check our M6 Toll vs M6 comparison.
đĄ Pro Tip
A-roads can be surprisingly quick when motorways are jammed. Google Maps often suggests these alternatives - trust the algorithm!
4. Prepare for Delays
If you must travel on a busy day:
- Fill up with fuel before joining the motorway
- Bring food, water, and snacks for the car
- Ensure your phone is charged (for navigation)
- Check tyre pressures and oil levels
- Plan alternative routes in advance
- Allow double your normal journey time
Busiest UK Motorways on Bank Holidays
These routes see the heaviest traffic:
School Holiday Dates 2025
School holidays cause additional traffic as families head off on holiday. Key periods:
- Easter: 7-21 April (varies by region)
- May Half-Term: 26-30 May
- Summer: 25 July - 3 September
- October Half-Term: 27-31 October
- Christmas: 19 December - 5 January
Conclusion
Bank holiday traffic is unavoidable if you want to travel - but with smart planning, you can minimise delays. The key is to travel at unusual times, have backup routes ready, and check real-time traffic before setting off.
Whatever your plans, use our calculator to estimate journey costs and factor in potential delays to your schedule.