3.8million extra drivers on roads for the ‘Frantic Friday’ getaway

DRIVERS have been warned to watch out for major traffic jams this weekend with 3.8million extra cars expected on the roads today alone.

The M40, M5 and the A303 in the south and south west are expected to be the worst hit by delays of up to an hour and a half, with nine million extra drivers on the roads over the whole weekend.

But delays are set to peak today – known as Frantic Friday – as schools break up and families try to make the most of the summer heatwave.

The hot weather is forecast to continue into the weekend with temperatures of up to 31C (88F). As holidaymakers and commuters battle for space, transport data firm Inrix has compiled a list of the ten most likely gridlocked roads.

The M40 travelling south from junction 3a to junction 1a is estimated to be the worst affected with up to 90-minute delays today.

In second and third place is the M5 both ways, with hour-plus delays on the 100mile stretch between junction 12 near Gloucester and junction 31 near Exeter. In fourth with 52 minute delays are westbound journeys on the A303 between the M3 in Hampshire and A37 in Somerset.

Joshua Kidd, from Inrix, said: ‘The shortest routes to popular holiday destinations may not be the quickest.

‘Drivers should ensure they check live traffic reports before setting off and consider alternative routes.’

RAC traffic spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘This weekend tends to be one of the busiest on the roads for leisure journeys, after Easter and Christmas.

‘On some popular routes this may well mean gridlock, especially in the second half of Friday.’

The Highways Agency website has listed 414 warnings of roadworks that will cause a delay of more than 30 minutes over the weekend.

An estimated 34million leisure journeys by car will take place over the next fortnight. Some schools will break up this week but others finish next week.