Millions of UK motorists are facing significant delays today, Thursday, May 21, as the Spring Bank Holiday getaway officially begins. National Highways and the RAC have issued urgent alerts for severe congestion starting from 11:00 AM, with the M25 and M6 motorways expected to bear the brunt of the holiday traffic as travelers head toward coastal resorts and airports.
The Practical Picture
- Peak Congestion: Expected to begin at 11:00 AM today, peaking between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
- Major Bottlenecks: M25 clockwise near the Dartford Crossing and M6 Northbound through the West Midlands.
- Estimated Delays: Motorists should prepare for tailbacks of up to 15 miles and delays reaching 90 minutes on key arterial routes.
- Travel Window: Experts advise completing journeys before 2:00 PM to avoid the merger of holiday traffic and the afternoon school run.
Identifying the Primary Bottlenecks Today
Traffic data suggests that the most severe disruptions will occur on the M25 clockwise, particularly on the approach to the Dartford Crossing. National Highways has indicated that this stretch often becomes a significant pinch point during bank holiday periods. Similarly, the M6 Northbound through the West Midlands is anticipated to see heavy volumes as travelers move toward the Lake District and Scotland.
According to RAC estimates, approximately 18 million leisure trips are planned across the long weekend. While Friday is traditionally the busiest day, Thursday has become a popular alternative for those attempting to beat the rush, inadvertently creating a “pre-getaway” peak. The following table outlines the specific areas where the longest delays are expected today:
| Motorway & Direction | Specific Location | Expected Delay | Peak Traffic Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| M25 Clockwise | Junction 31 to Junction 2 (Dartford) | 60–90 Minutes | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| M6 Northbound | Junction 4 to Junction 10A (West Midlands) | 45–70 Minutes | 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
| M1 Southbound | Junction 16 to Junction 6 (Hertfordshire) | 30–50 Minutes | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| A303 Westbound | Near Stonehenge (Wiltshire) | 40–60 Minutes | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
The Convergence of School-Run and Holiday Traffic
A critical warning has been issued for the period between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. This window marks the convergence of early holiday departures and the standard Thursday afternoon school run. This overlap is expected to saturate local road networks and feeder roads leading to major motorways, potentially doubling travel times for short-haul journeys.
National Highways has confirmed that while major roadworks on the M25 and M1 have been suspended where possible to maximize capacity, the sheer volume of vehicles remains the primary driver of congestion. Drivers are urged to ensure their vehicles are road-ready—checking tire pressure, oil levels, and coolant—to prevent breakdowns that could further exacerbate the tailbacks.
Strategies for ‘Frantic Friday’ and Beyond
For those who cannot travel today, Friday, May 22—often dubbed “Frantic Friday”—is predicted to be even more challenging. The RAC suggests that Friday morning before 10:00 AM or late evening after 8:00 PM may offer clearer roads. However, for today’s travelers, the advice remains to monitor live traffic feeds constantly.
If you are caught in a tailback, National Highways recommends staying with your vehicle and ensuring you have adequate water and snacks, especially if traveling with children or pets. The use of real-time navigation apps is highly recommended to identify diversions as they occur.
Essential Checks Before You Depart
Before setting off, motorists should verify the status of their intended route. Live updates are available via the National Highways website and various traffic monitoring services. If your route includes the M25 or M6, consider whether an earlier departure or a significantly later one might be feasible to avoid the 90-minute delays currently forecasted for the mid-afternoon peak.
National Highways patrols and recovery teams are on high alert across the network to clear incidents as quickly as possible. Despite these measures, the combination of high temperatures and heavy traffic makes mechanical failure a high risk today. Ensuring your fuel tank is at least half-full before entering a known bottleneck is a recommended precaution.
Source: RAC
Source check Travel Authority Source Trail
This report is based on official travel alerts from National Highways and the RAC regarding the 2026 Spring Bank Holiday getaway.
- Confirmed RAC estimate of 18 million leisure trips.
- Verified National Highways alert for 11:00 AM congestion start.
- Cross-referenced M25 and M6 bottleneck locations.
- Source
- RAC News
- Scope
- United Kingdom
- Updated
- 2026-05-21 09:28
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Article contextPeople & topics#6
What do you think about this article?
Reader Ideas Newsroom
Have a sharper angle for this topic? Add it to the community idea board and let readers vote it up for editorial review.
/linkComments
8+ useful words can earn +10-60 DP; shorter replies can still publish without DP.