The 2018 Easter getaway traffic will last for longer than previous years, with congestion increasing from Wednesday 28th March and return journeys creeping into Tuesday 3rd April, according to INRIX, the global leader in connected car services and transportation analytics. The Easter period will see more than 19.5 million cars on the UK’s roads (2.5% fewer than 2017), with traffic forecasts for both Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday showing a 20% increase in the average number of cars on UK road.
Table 1: Approx. percentage increase/decrease of vehicles on UK roads over the Easter period
| Day | Percentage increase/decrease (number of vehicles) |
| Wednesday 28th | 15% increase |
| Maundy Thursday | 20% increase |
| Good Friday | 15% increase |
| Easter Saturday | 25% decrease |
| Easter Sunday | 25% decrease |
| Easter Monday | 20% increase |
| Tuesday 3rd | 15% increase |
Similar to 2017, the most affected roads on Maundy Thursday will be the major motorways, with the worst delays three times longer than on an average Thursday. Drivers travelling on the M25 Clockwise between the Junction 16 (for the M40) at Denham Interchange and Junction 23 (A1M) at Bignell’s Corner should expect delays of over an hour, extending a typical journey from 23 minutes to more than one and a half hours. Average speeds will fall to just 14 miles per hour on this stretch.
Drivers heading south on the M6 (J20 for M56 to J8 for the M5) and northbound on the M1 (J6A for M25 to M23A for A42) should be prepared for the longest delays – almost two hours in total – with average speeds of 18 miles per hour and 26 miles per hour respectively.
Table 2: Maundy Thursday, 29th March – UK’s most delayed routes, average journey times and suggested alternative routes
| Maundy Thursday | |||||||
| Route | Dist. (Miles) | Travel Times | Delay | Av. Speed (mph) | Normal Travel Times | Peak Time | Alternative Routes |
| M25 Clockwise: J16 (M40) to J23 (A1M) | 21.71 | 1 hr 32 mins | 1 hr 9 mins | 14.2 | 23 mins | 08:45 | Non M-way routes |
| M25 Anticlockwise:
J23 (A1M) to J16 (M40) |
22.41 | 26 mins | 1hr 3 mins | 15.1 | 26 mins | 16:30 | Non M-way routes |
| M25 Clockwise:
J8 (M23) to J16 (M40) |
36.09 | 36 mins | 1 hr 23 mins | 18.1 | 36 mins | 10:30 | Non M-way routes |
| A720 West:
J0 (A1) to J11 (A8) |
12.84 | 26 mins | 37 mins | 12.1 | 26 mins | 17:30 | B701 |
| M6 South:
J20 (M56) to J8 (M5) |
64.2 | 1 hr 43 mins | 1 hr 53 mins | 17.9 | 1 hr 43 mins | 07:45 | A34 |
| M1 North:
J6A (M25) to J23A (A42) |
90.25 | 1 hr 45 mins | 1 hr 47 mins | 25.6 | 1 hr 45 mins | 15:30 | A1M |
| M4 West:
J18 (A46) to J23 (M48) |
23.48 | 37 mins | 28 mins | 21.6 | 37 mins | 17:45 | Non M-way routes including A420 |
| A34 North:
A415 Marcham Interchange to M40 Wendlebury Interchange |
17.38 | 25 mins | 17 mins | 24.5 | 25 mins | 16:30 | A40 & M40 |
| M6 North:
J8 (M5) to J20 (M56) |
64.25 | 1 hr 40 mins | 41 mins | 27.4 | 1 hr 40 mins | 17:30 | A34 |
INRIX recommends drivers leave early in the morning on Maundy Thursday or Friday to beat the rush. If possible, drivers should wait until Saturday when roads will actually see less traffic than normal. Those travelling at peak times should seek alternative routes, as the shortest distance will not always be the fastest.
Table 3: Easter Getaway – best and worst times to travel Maundy Thursday to Tuesday 3rd April
| Day | Best Time to Travel | Worst Time to Travel |
| Maundy Thursday | Between 10am and 12pm | Between 4pm and 6pm |
| Good Friday | Before 10am and after 2pm | Between 10am and 2pm |
| Saturday 1st April | Any time | N/A |
| Easter Sunday | Any time | N/A |
| Easter Monday | Before 12pm and after 5pm | Between 12pm and 5pm |
With many shops expected to be closed and more people spending time with family on Easter Sunday, INRIX expects 25% fewer vehicles on the road compared to an average Sunday.
Table 4: Good Friday, Easter Monday, Tuesday 3rd April
| Good Friday | ||||||||
| Route | Dist. (Miles) | Travel Time | Delay | Av.
Speed (mph) |
Normal Travel Time | Peak Time | Alternative Routes | |
| M4 East: J23 (M48) to J18 (A46) | 23.35 | 1 hr 9 mins | 49 mins | 20.2 | 21 mins | 13:30 | Non M-way routes including A420 | |
| A64 North: A19 to Barton Hill | 13.46
|
50 mins
|
34 mins | 16.2
|
15 mins | 12:15 | Minor B roads in area | |
| A303 West: M3 Popham Interchange to A37 Podimore | 68.37
|
2 hrs 17 mins
|
1 hr 4 mins
|
30
|
1 hr 13 mins | 11:45 | A36/ A338 | |
| M5 South: J12 (A38) to J31 (A30) | 102.46
|
2 hrs 13 mins
|
45 mins | 46.3 | 1 hr 28 mins | 12:15 | A38 | |
| M6 North: J8 (M5) to J20 (M56) | 64.25 | 1 hr 46 mins | 29 mins | 27.4 | 1 hr 17 mins | 13:00 | A34 | |
| M40 North: J1A (M25) to J17 (M42) | 84.73
|
2 hr 20 mins
|
28 mins
|
36.3
|
1 hr 52 mins | 12:45 | A34 or M1 | |
| M6 South: J20 (M56) to J8 (M5) | 64.2 | 2 hr 9 mins | 25 mins | 17.9 | 1 hr 43 mins | 13:30 | A34 | |
| Easter Monday | ||||||||
| Route | Dist.
(Miles) |
Travel Time | Delay | Av. Speed (mph) | Normal Travel Time | Peak Time | Alternative Routes | |
| A720 West: J0 (A1) to J11 (A8) | 12.84 | 47 mins | 31 mins | 12.1 | 16 mins | 14:15 | B701 | |
| M4 East: J23 (M48) to J18 (A46) | 23.35 | 58 mins | 32 mins | 20.2 | 26 mins | 16:30 | Non M-way routes including A420 | |
| M5 North: J31 (A30) and J12 (A38) | 101.76 | 2 hrs 53 mins | 1 hr 25 mins | 35.3 | 1 hr 28 mins | 12:45 | A38 | |
| A303 East: A37 Podimore to M3 Popham Interchange | 68.34 | 2 hrs 10 mins | 1 hr 2 mins | 31.6 | 1 hr 8 mins | 14:15 | A36/A338 | |
| M6 South: J20 (M56) to J8 (M5) | 64.2 | 2 hrs | 53 mins | 17.9 | 1 hr 6 mins | 13:15 | A34 | |
| M1 South: J23A (A42) to J6A (M25) | 91.62 | 2 hrs 19 mins | 57 mins | 27.6 | 1 hr 22 mins | 20:15 | A1M | |
| M1 North: J6A (M25) to J23A (A42) | 90.25 | 2 hrs 18 mins | 48 mins | 25.6 | 1 hr 30 mins | 16:15 | A1M | |
| M6 North: J8 (M5) to J20 (M56) | 64.25 | 1 hr 18 mins | 17 mins | 27.4 | 1 hr 35 mins | 12:00 | A34 | |
| Tuesday 3rd April | ||||||||
| Route | Dist.
(Miles) |
Travel Time | Delay | Av. Speed (mph) | Normal Travel Time | Peak Time | Alternative Routes | |
| M5 North: J31 (A30) to J12 (A38) | 101.76 | 2 hrs 53 mins | 1 hr 25 mins | 35.3 | 1 hr 28 mins | 12:45 | A38 | |
| A303 East: A37 Podimore to M3 Popham Interchange | 68.34 | 2 hrs 10 mins | 1 hr 2 mins | 31.6 | 1 hr 8 mins | 14:15 | A36/A338 | |
| M40 South: J17 (M42) to J1A (M25) | 85.32 | 1 hr 44 mins | 18 mins | 49 | 1 hr 26 mins | 07:45 | A34 or M1 | |
| M25 Anticlockwise: J16 (M40) to J8 (M23) | 34.94 | 1 hr 58 mins | 34 mins | 17.8 | 1 hr 24 mins | 17:15 | Non M-way routes | |
| A64 North: A19 to Barton Hill | 13.46 | 34 mins | 19 mins | 16.2 | 15 mins | 11:15 | Minor B roads in area | |
“Ranked the third most congested country in Europe, UK drivers are all too familiar with sitting in traffic.” said Graham Cookson, Chief Economist and Head of Research, INRIX. “This Easter, drivers should expect congestion across a greater number of days than in previous years, with the getaway period starting on Wednesday 28th March – a day earlier than last year. Motorists should consider waiting until Saturday to make outgoing journeys as roads will be quieter than usual. While the post-Easter return will stretch through Easter Monday into Tuesday 3rd April, this won’t be as busy due to the total number of journeys being spread over a greater number of days. If drivers have to travel during peak times, they should consider alternative routes and regularly check live traffic data to ensure they avoid the worst of the delays.”
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