With more than 19.5million cars on UK roads over the Easter period it is important know exactly when to avoid taking a journey.
A guide detailing when is best and when not to hot the motorways has been put together by Inrix, the global leader in connected car services and transportation analytics.
Easter Monday sees a 20 per cent increase in the average number of cars on the roads, says Inrix.
So, when is it best to make your journey along the M5?
The Travel Service says that the best time to travel on Easter Monday is before midday and after 5pm.
And, of course, the worst times are between midday and 5pm.
Below are some helpful tables Inrix has compiled to help you navigate these road troubles.
The table above shows that there could be delays of around 1 hour and 25 minutes if you head out during the peak times.
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The M4 is similarly congested but, with a lower average delay time of 32 minutes.
The worst of the traffic troubles in and around Bristol were predicted to be Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday which are now behind us.
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However, Monday's traffic could pose similar problems so plan ahead, Inrix warns.
Things to remember before you travel during a busy period
- Think carefully about when you are travelling - Most traffic queues are caused by too many cars on the same roads at the same time. If you can travel outside the peak times – think early in the morning or later in the evening – you can easily miss them.
- Make sure your car, and anything you are towing, are up to the job - Many breakdowns are avoidable – punctures for instance can be caused by a tyre that is in poor condition or not inflated properly. Check oil and coolant levels as if these run low you could be in for an unwelcome breakdown and a big repair bill.
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- Make sure you and your passengers are prepared for the long delays - Hungry, thirsty or tired passengers are recipes for in-car irritability – and ‘arguments’. So when setting out, pack enough food and water to keep your passengers happy, and plan in enough breaks along the way.
