The forthcoming bank holiday weekend is going to be one of the most congested for motorists in more than a decade, according to the RAC. The motoring organisation reports that upwards of 19 million journeys are planned between Friday and Monday (May 1-4), with some popular routes expected to bear the brunt of the additional traffic.

Offering help for motorists, the RAC shared a Facebook video outlining the days when the most car journeys are expected and offering tips for anyone planning a trip. The tips could help drivers plan their trips so they spend as little time as possible stuck in queues.

In the video, the RAC team member said: "The early May bank holiday is set to be one of the busiest in over a decade, with more than 19 million trips planned on major roads between Friday and Monday, and that's despite the price of fuel still being really high."

While each day is expected to see more traffic, Saturday is forecast to be the busiest day on the roads. "Saturday is going to see the most traffic with over four million leisure trips.

"But getting around on Friday won't be much easier with 3.7 million journeys. And Sunday and Monday are also going to be busy with three million trips each. So overall, a pretty tough time on the roads."

The RAC said the M5 Southbound is likely to be the busiest route. The expert said: "The heaviest traffic is likely to be on the M5, heading down to Devon and Cornwall."

He advised: "So the best tip is to get past the RAC tower at the M4/M5 interchange as soon as you can to have the smoothest possible journey.

"And even though fuel prices are still really high, not that many people are deciding not to travel over the back holiday, and only a small percentage are saying they're going to be making shorter trips instead."

For those hitting the road, the RAC outlined its key travel recommendations to keep drivers safe throughout their journey. The team member advised: "First of all, check your car, make sure you have enough coolant, oil, and screen wash.

"Make sure your tyres are in good condition and are pumped up to the right pressures and have plenty of tread. Then it comes to leaving. Make sure you leave as early as you can in the day, because then you've got a good chance of beating the traffic."

Drivers seeking further guidance can head to the RAC website, which lists 12 essential maintenance tips for motorists to work through before embarking on any long-distance journey. The list covers important checks drivers should make, including brakes, air conditioning, and electrics. The full list is available here.