The UK’s roads are extremely busy this Easter.

Nearly 22 million drivers (50%) plan to make the most of the long weekend and travel, reveals new research from breakdown provider Green Flag.

Motorists are expected to drive 1.4 billion miles between Good Friday and Easter Monday. The average length of a round trip is expected to be 102 miles but over three million people (12 per cent) will be driving 200 miles or more.

Be prepared

Green Flag is urging drivers to be prepared before heading off on a long journey, as the breakdown provider is forecasting a 20% increase in call outs due to increased traffic over Easter. This could mean an extra 2,000 breakdowns over the course of the weekend, which could be even higher in the event of good weather.

Given this is the first bank holiday in over two years with very few travel restrictions, over nine million people will be driving to airports, ferry terminals or the Eurotunnel to go abroad. Other popular Easter trips include visiting friends and family (25%) and going on staycation (21%).

Young people will be leading the Easter exodus, with nearly half (47%) of those under 35 hitting the roads. Young people are also more likely to drive further this weekend, averaging 105 miles.

Looking forward

Damon Jowett, Director of Roadside and Network Services at Green Flag, commented: “People across the country will be looking forward to the first bank holiday weekend of 2022 and, with the weather looking reasonable, it’s no surprise that so many of us plan to hit the road.

“We want to make sure everyone can enjoy the long Easter weekend without any added stress or complications, so we’re urging drivers to make sure their vehicles are road trip ready. We know that many breakdowns are avoidable if the proper care is taken before and during a trip, so it’s important to thoroughly check vehicles before setting off and be prepared in case a breakdown does happen.”

Regional data

Drivers in London will be making the most of the long weekend with 80 per cent of those getting behind the wheel in the capital planning to travel over Easter. Londoners are also expected to be driving the furthest, averaging 126 miles, which is 24 per cent further than the average distance.

Table one: Regional breakdown of Easter travel

Regio Percentage of drivers planning to travel this Easter Average miles driven this Easter
London 80 per cent 126 miles
North East 52 per cent 116 miles
West Midlands 56 per cent 114 miles
Scotland 51 per cent 109 miles
East Midlands 41 per cent 95 miles
South West 38 per cent 94 miles
South East 42 per cent 93 miles
North West 45 per cent 92 miles
East of England 41 per cent 85 miles
Wales 48 per cent 79 miles
Yorkshire and the Humberside 37 per cent 75 miles
Northern Ireland 50 per cent 66 miles

Source: Green Flag, 2022