In the middle of the day, the M5 southbound – a major holiday route – is likely to suffer major hold-ups with journeys on a 45-mile stretch between J16 north of Bristol and J25 for Taunton in Somerset expected to take over an hour longer than usual.

Figures from the early May Bank holiday suggested that many set off from Thursday, either taking an extra day of leave or using flexibility around workplaces to work from their destination

Hands-free Zoom calls could be a dangerous distraction for drivers over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, too.

Drivers warned of 90-minute delays on M25 during busiest May bank holiday weekend since 2019 - This weekend could be the busiest of the year so far on the roads

More than 20m leisure trips by car forecast with Friday tipped as the worst day to travel as it coincides with half-term at many schools

Estimates from the RAC suggest as many as 20 million journeys will be made by car over the bank holiday weekend, which is roughly equivalent to 90 per cent of what would usually be expected pre-pandemic.