Busy days ahead

February and March. Cardiff, Twickenham and Murrayfield on match Saturdays. The evening exit is usually slower than the arrival.

Usually mid-March, Tuesday to Friday. M5 J10–J11 and the A40 into Cheltenham are busy every morning and evening of the festival.

Usually early April, Thursday to Saturday. Aintree in north Liverpool. The M57 and M58 are the pinch points, and Saturday is the busiest day.

Usually mid-June, Tuesday to Saturday. M4 J6–J10 and the west side of the M25 get busy each afternoon. Local Berkshire roads are often worse than the motorways.

Late June, in festival years. Arrivals on the Wednesday and departures on the Monday bring long queues on the A37 and A39. Not held in fallow years.

Late June to mid-July. The A3 and the roads around Wimbledon for two weeks, busiest on the middle weekend and finals weekend.

Usually early July. The A43 between the M1 and the M40 fills early, and race-day Sunday morning is the busiest window.

Usually the third week of July in England. The first Friday and Saturday of the holidays are among the busiest of the summer, especially on routes to airports, ports and the south west.

Usually September, Sunday. Closures across Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields for most of the day, including the Tyne bridges.

Usually early October. Evening crowds lock up the local approach roads for a few hours each night.

Usually the last week of October. Busier on the first Friday and Saturday. Clocks go back, so watch for darker evening drives.

Mid-November to Christmas. Weekend crowds in Birmingham, Manchester, York and Bath. City-centre car parks fill by late morning, so park and ride is often quicker.