The early May bank holiday weekend is expected to be the busiest on UK roads since 2016.
The RAC is warning drivers to plan ahead and prepare for queues on the roads between Friday, April 30 and Monday, May 3.
Changes to lockdown restrictions since Easter mean hospitality venues are open for outdoor service, while cross border travel between Wales and England and Scotland and England has resumed for non-essential journeys.
A survey of 1,050 motorists by the RAC suggests 14.8 million leisure trips will take place between Friday and Monday – the highest number since 2016.
That’s also 62% higher than the last bank holiday four weeks ago.
Despite the huge numbers, many are planning to stay home, with 19% saying they won’t travel because of Covid-19.
RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: “After what was one of the quietest Easters on the roads in years our figures suggest the easing of Covid restrictions has made a dramatic difference with millions more drivers planning to hit the roads.
“It remains to be seen what effect the weather will have as meeting up in soggy parks and gardens may not prove quite so appealing.
"And if it’s too cold for a trip to the beach, then there could be a big uplift in visits to shops, cafes and restaurants with covered outdoor areas.
“Nonetheless, the prospect of queues on the roads – particularly leading to major shopping centres – looks far more likely this coming weekend, and we’d advise drivers to plan ahead and keep tuned to local traffic bulletins to find out if there’s any disruption.”
The research suggests Saturday will be the busiest day with 2.63m trips expected, followed by Friday with 2.3m journeys.
Bank holiday Monday could see 1.97m and Saturday 1.64m, while over 6m people are planning to travel but don’t know which days yet.
