Record traffic to AA route planner

More evidence has emerged of the Great British Staycation with a record 4 million drivers using the AA's online route planner to plan UK journeys in the lead-up to the bank holiday.

Journeys planned by drivers in the week to Sunday were up by 11 per cent compared with the build-up to the same weekend last year, as recession-hit Britons increasingly opt to holiday in Blighty. The AA is now advising holidaymakers to expect busy than normal roads throughout the summer.

Dave Arnold, of AA Route Planner, says: "A mix of fine weather and lingering economic clouds appears to have lured holidaymakers onto Britain's roads as growing numbers shun more exotic climes for trips at home.

"This trend looks set to continue and with forecasters tipping a hot summer it is more important than ever to plan your journey in advance to avoid hotspots and hot heads on busy summer roads.

"Helping 4 million drivers in a week to plan journeys is a first for AA Route Planner and we are now gearing up for heavy demand throughout the summer," Dave Arnold says.

Routes requested for the weekend and half-term holidays provide a clue to likely travel patterns this summer, with increasing numbers heading for the coast. Brighton was the destination of choice, with AA Route Planner generating 40,000 routes - along with 20,000 for Blackpool, 17,000 for Bournemouth and 13,000 for Newquay.

However, plenty of people are also heading to town and city attractions, with 18,000 for Edinburgh, 15,000 for Oxford, 13,500 for York and 10,000 for Bath.

Average expected journey distances have increased as it is school holidays, with the figure expected to be 152 miles (approximately 4 hours of driving) per journey.

For more information, visit theaa.com