IF you're planning on making the most of the four-day bank holiday this Easter weekend, the last thing you'll want is to spend most of your time off stuck in traffic. 

This year’s Easter period is expected to see more than 20 million cars on the UK’s roads.

And traffic forecasts for Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday show a 20% increase in the average number of cars being driven, according to INRIX, which specialises in transportation analytics.

With peaks set to reach 28.4% above average traffic levels at 5pm, up 30% on last year, Maundy Thursday will be the busiest getaway day this Easter bank holiday with drivers setting off early for the long weekend.

It means drivers heading in both directions on the M6 on Maundy Thursday should be prepared for delays of almost an hour and average speeds of less than 25 miles per hour.

Here's when you need to avoid some of the area's busiest routes:

Maundy Thursday

Those driving on Maundy Thursday are advised by INRIX against using major roads between 4pm and 6pm to avoid the worst delays.

Those that do need to travel during these times should seek alternative routes, as the shortest distance will not always be the fastest.

  • M6 between junctions 16 and 22 (both directions) is expected to have delays of 50 minutes.
  • Avoid between 3 and 5pm. 
  • M60/M62 between J8 Carrington and J20 Rochdale is expected to have delays of 30 minutes.
  • Avoid between 4.30 and 6pm 
  • A55 westbound between Chester and Conwy will have 20 minute delays. 
  • Avoid between 3 and 4.30pm

Good Friday 

With major roads expected to experience peaks of 8% above average traffic levels by 1pm on Good Friday, drivers are advised to avoid roads during 10am and 2pm.

Major motorway journeys may take twice as longer than usual.

  • M6 between junctions 16 and 22 (both directions) is expected to have delays of 40 minutes.
  • Avoid between 11.30am and 1.30pm. 

Easter Saturday

  • M6 between junctions 16 and 22 (both directions) is expected to have delays of 35 minutes.
  • Avoid between 12 and 2pm. 

Easter Sunday

With many shops expected to be closed, Easter Sunday remains the quietest day for cars on the road, with 25% less vehicles expected compared to an average Sunday.

Easter Monday

  • M6 between junctions 16 and 22 (both directions) is expected to have delays of 40 minutes.
  • Avoid between 3.30 and 5pm. 

For those choosing to drive back home on Easter Monday, INRIX advises avoiding travelling between 12pm and 5pm, with journeys expected to take up to twice as long as usual during this period.

In particular, the M6 between J22 and J16 Southbound is expected to see delays up to 40 minutes on a route which usually takes 30 minutes on an average Monday afternoon.

Travelling outside of the north west region?

You can see the complete breakdown of the country's busiest motorways and when to avoid them here. 

Trains

Engineering works and amended train services over the Easter period include between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool Lime Street, Birkenhead North and Liverpool Central, Bath Spa and Glasgow Central, York and Blackpool North and Church Fenton and Leeds/Selby.