Think you're ready for a Bank Holiday drive?

One of the worst drives I have ever experienced was a Bank Holiday trip from Manchester up to Hadrian’s Wall. Approximately two and a half hours, the map lied. Clear skies. 22 degrees. Lovely! So, we packed our snacks, got the playlist on the go, and set off on our merry way.

That journey, burnt into my memory for all time, took closer to six hours after the motorway was reduced to a single lane and everybody in “record traffic” had to inch their way up the road. And then, of course, the petrol light came on and we’re crawling at something like 10 mph with no radio or aircon, wondering how long we have left before we block that last lane as well.

All of which to say, Bank Holiday driving isn’t my bag.

With an estimated 23 million trips planned for the May 2026 Bank Holiday, I will be staying at home, but if you’re planning a journey – here are the lessons I’ve learned and the things I wished I’d known about Bank Holiday driving.

How to plan your route and timings

When millions of people all leave at roughly the same time, timing matters as much as the route itself.

Saturday mornings between 10am and 1pm are typically among the busiest periods on major UK routes, particularly around the M5, M6, M25 and coastal roads.

A few simple habits can make a big difference:

• Download offline maps before you leave. Mobile signal can disappear on rural routes or overloaded motorways. Having your route saved offline means your navigation still works when reception doesn’t.
• Avoid the Friday afternoon rush if possible. If you can leave before 3pm, do it. If not, consider travelling later in the evening once the initial surge has eased. And if you can’t do that either, just make sure you’re fuelled up and have plenty of patience.
• Pre-book parking where you can. Popular seaside towns and national parks fill up fast on Bank Holidays. Apps like JustPark and YourParkingSpace can save a lot of stress before you even arrive.
• Look beyond motorway services. A small village café, pub stop or country park a few minutes off the motorway is often quieter, cheaper and far less chaotic than packed service stations.

How to avoid electric anxiety

Bank Holiday travel in an electric car takes a bit more planning than a normal commute, especially on popular motorway routes.

We’d say:

• Use a multi-network charging map. We like the Octopus Electroverse map (handily available right here!) as it has live charger availability, which can help you avoid arriving at a full charging hub.
• Stick to the 80% rule on long journeys. Charging slows significantly after 80%, so topping up little and often is usually quicker overall.
• Look beyond motorway services. Retail parks, supermarkets and hotel charging hubs just off major junctions are often quieter than the main service stations everyone heads for first.

How to stay calm in heavy traffic

Long traffic jams make even the shortest journeys feel exhausting.

A lot of that stress and anxiety comes from feeling trapped or powerless, so you’ll feel better if you manage the "what-ifs" ahead of setting off, and factor in a few breaks to keep heads cool.

• Keep a simple emergency kit in the boot. Water, snacks, a power bank, basic medication and a blanket can make delays far less stressful if traffic grinds to a halt.
• Take proper breaks. Every couple of hours, get out of the car for a few minutes. Stretch your legs. Walk around. Even a short reset helps reduce fatigue and reset the mind.
• Work as a team. From personal experience, saying “I told you we should have filled up before we set off” does not help. Do not do it.
• Try controlled breathing if tensions rise. The simple “4-4-4-4” box breathing method (inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four) can quickly lower stress levels during standstill traffic. Just make sure you’re focused on the road if you’re moving.
• Don’t underestimate comfort. A cool cabin, decent airflow and comfortable seating make a huge difference after several hours on the road. 

How to keep the kids entertained

A journey can feel twice the length once children become bored. Or when you’re five minutes off getting home and they’re about to go to sleep.

A mix of old-school games and entertainment tends to work best:

• Offline games and videos are useful when signal drops. You’d also be surprised how many kids will pick up a book when they’ve got uninterrupted time to sit and read.
• Family podcasts like Wow in the World or Greeking Out can work, as could an audiobook.
• Traditional games like “20 Questions” and the number plate game still hold up remarkably well. As does my personal childhood favourite “who’s going to be first to see the sea?” I always won.

Snacks also matter more than you’d think. Protein-heavy options like nuts, cheese, fruit or wraps tend to keep energy levels steadier than high-sugar treats that lead to inevitable crashes an hour later. Pack properly.

How to travel with dogs

Bank Holiday weekends are busy for pets too. If you’re travelling with a dog, we’d recommend:

• Plan regular stops where they can properly walk around.
• Keep water easily accessible.
• Consider cooling mats during warm weather, especially for dogs travelling in the boot area.
• Look for dog-friendly stop-offs instead of purely fuel-based breaks.

Apps like BarkHappy can help find dog-friendly parks, cafés and pubs along the way.

Take the five-minute car check

Most breakdowns on busy weekends are caused by simple issues that could have been spotted before leaving.

Before a long trip, we think it’s worth checking the following as a minimum:

• Tyre pressures, especially if the car is heavily loaded with luggage or roof boxes.
• Oil and coolant levels.
• Screenwash, particularly during spring and summer when insect splatter builds up quickly. A smeared windscreen causes eye strain and fatigue faster than you’d think.
• Air conditioning - if it’s blowing lukewarm, a quick re-gas will save you from a rather sweaty, grumpy family.

It takes five minutes and can save hours sitting on the hard shoulder waiting for recovery.