More than 50 Million Brits to Hit the Road for Staycations This Summer

• Three quarters of Brits are planning staycations and UK road trips this year
• More than half (56%) are concerned about traffic congestion and delays
• A third of motorists have encountered issues on summer drives – including 16% breaking down
• A third of EV drivers say performance is improved in hot weather – although more than a quarter say the opposite is true

Britain’s roads are set to be jam-packed this summer, with 74% of Brits choosing to stay-cay or road trip, according to recent research from Aviva. This translates to an estimated 51,000,000* individuals across the UK and with the average one-way journey time being 3 hours and 36 minutes, the findings highlight the importance of being prepared and taking necessary precautions before travelling.

The survey of 2,000 people shows that two-thirds (68%) of those planning a staycation or day trip will be travelling by car, with a fifth of this group (21%) saying they intend to travel by electric vehicle.

But many drivers say they have previously encountered issues on the open road, with 16% saying their vehicle had broken down en route when holidaying on home turf.

The top five issues when driving to a staycation are revealed as:

The heat is on

With another hot summer predicted, the survey reveals that 23% of drivers have considered changing the length of their journey to allow for warm weather and traffic congestion, while 43% claim they carefully consider what time of day to travel to avoid hot sun and jams. Surprisingly though, more than a quarter of respondents admit to not taking any precautions with their vehicle whatsoever.

To avoid the frenzy and keep summer road trips fun, Aviva has the following tips:

1. Plan it: before setting off, ensure your vehicle is in good condition by checking water/coolant levels, tyre pressures, oil levels, and screen wash. This will help prevent breakdowns and unnecessary delays. Additionally, EV owners should ensure their vehicle is fully charged and consider planning breaks to allow for charging.
2. Pack those snacks: take plenty of water and snacks on board to stay hydrated, alert and focused on the road.
3. Keep it cool: wear lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for hot weather. This will help regulate body temperature and enhance comfort during long drives.
4. Schedule chill time: plan breaks in your journey to allow for refreshments, rest, stretching and using restrooms. Regular breaks not only help combat fatigue, but also ensure a more enjoyable and safe travel experience.
5. Avoid peak traffic times: when possible, schedule your journey outside of peak traffic times to minimise congestion and reduce travel time. This can help alleviate stress and make the trip more pleasant.

Alec Reeder, General Insurance Performance Lead at Aviva, says: “Day trips and staycations are highlights on the summer calendar – but the journeys themselves can be a source of stress, particularly for those travelling with small children.

“As the summer season approaches, it’s essential for all drivers, including EV owners, to take proactive measures to ensure their safety and well-being during long, hot journeys. It’s important to understand that as always, roads will be busy, journeys will take longer and the heat can be unpredictable, so we recommend that everyone plans ahead.

If you’re travelling with little ones, we can’t prevent the inevitable “are-we-nearly-there-yets” but hopefully a few preparations can help to make the journey more comfortable.”