The AA has warned motorists of a surge in traffic this Easter, with 19.1 million drivers expected to hit the roads on Good Friday alone.

The anticipated increase has been attributed to Easter falling three weeks later this year than in 2024. This shift, together with hopes for warmer weather, is projected to boost bank holiday traffic by 15 per cent, according to the motoring association.

It advised motorists to prepare for congestion, particularly around town and city centres, retail parks and major routes. Hotspots are expected to include the M6 near Birmingham and the Blackpool area, the south and western section of the M25 between the M23 and M40, the M5 at Bristol, and the A303 in Wiltshire.

The AA anticipates 19.1 million people will drive on Good Friday, 18.5 million on Easter Saturday and 18.2 million on both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, based on responses to a survey of 11,233 of its members.

AA patrol of the year Shaun Jones advised drivers to carry out “simple checks” such as ensuring tyres are properly inflated and levels of oil and coolant are correct.

“With so many people planning to travel this Easter, it is crucial to ensure your vehicle is in top condition,” he said.

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After a period of settled and warmer weather, forecasters expected a return to unsettled conditions next weekend with some rain.

National Highways has deployed traffic management system Operation Brock in Kent ahead of the Easter getaway.

The scheme, involving narrow lanes and a reduced 50mph speed limit, is designed to manage traffic flows on the M20 motorway in the event of delays at Channel ports, which are seeing high demand from holidaymakers.

Operation Brock is in place on a 13-mile stretch of the motorway between junction 8 for Maidstone and junction 9 for Ashford.

Lorries heading for the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel are being directed to follow signs to join a specific lane at junction 8.

All other traffic for the coast crosses over to enter the contraflow on the London-bound carriageway.

Tourism authority VisitEngland said around 10.6 million British adults are planning to take a holiday in the UK over the bank holiday period.

That is expected to provide an estimated £3.9bn boost to the economy.

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A further 3.4 million people are undecided about whether to book an overnight domestic Easter trip, with the most common reasons being waiting to see what the weather will be and if they can afford it.

VisitEngland chief executive Patricia Yates said: “Tourism businesses and destinations will be looking to the critical Easter weekend for much-needed cash flow after the lean winter months, so it’s encouraging to see many of us are planning a holiday at home.

“The cost of living remains a concern, and while people are still keen to take a break, many are booking late, taking shorter breaks, and wanting to save on accommodation, activities and eating out, making it difficult for businesses to plan in advance.”

Thousands of Easter train journeys will be disrupted as Network Rail is carrying out engineering work.

The most significant impact will be at London Euston – the UK’s 10th busiest railway station – which will have no services to or from Milton Keynes on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, with a reduced timetable on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

That is because of work including renewals of overhead electric lines and drainage improvements.

Services on the West Coast Main Line will start and terminate at Carlisle, with replacement buses serving stations to the north.

Aviation analytics company Cirium said 11,282 flights are scheduled to depart UK airports between Good Friday and Easter Monday.

That is 6 per cent more than last Easter but remains 4 per cent down from Easter in 2019.

The most common international destinations for UK departures this Easter are Dublin, Amsterdam, Malaga, Alicante and Mallorca.

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