The RAC Traffic Watch study of nearly 1,700 motorists’ plans for the bank holiday shows Saturday 28 May is expected to be the most hectic day, with around 4.5 million cars taking to the roads.

This Friday is set to be the next busiest day with 3.9 million individual leisure journeys. However Sunday 29 May will still see around 3.6 million getaway journeys.

RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: “It looks as though a late spring getaway is a little more appealing to motorists this year than last – with the reasonably settled weather perhaps being one factor that is contributing to the desire by many to escape in the car.

“We recommend drivers plan and their trips carefully and try to avoid the busiest times at all possible – Friday evening is likely to be especially hectic on major routes, as is Saturday from late morning to mid-afternoon.”