The survey also revealed that a further 3.6 million people are still undecided about whether or not they will take and overnight trip in England over the Bank Holiday weekend, with approximately 40 per cent saying that they will wait to see what the weather is like and 20 per cent saying that they prefer to leave it last minute.
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Travel organisation Abta estimated two million people will travel overseas this weekend, with Heathrow expecting 440,000 passengers departing for the last long weekend before Christmas.
Outside London, Bristol Airport is anticipating that 55,000 people will depart over the weekend, while East Midlands is expecting 47,000.
Gatwick is preparing for 311,000 outgoing passengers, with 103,000 due to fly from Stansted.
An estimated 10 million drivers will take to the road on Saturday – making it the busiest day of the holiday – with 13 million drivers expected to take journeys between Saturday and Monday. Orlando, New York and Las Vegas are among the leading long-haul destinations.
According to a study of 1,579 motorists for the RAC by Ragdoll Research, 20.7m vehicles could be using United Kingdom roads between Thursday and Monday, compared with 10.1m in 2015.
Travel hotspots include sections of the M25, M6, M4 and M27.
Max Holdstock, AA patrolman of the year, urged motorists to carry extra water in their vehicles.
A number of music festivals are taking place this weekend, including Reading and Leeds, Creamfields in Cheshire and CarFest South in Hampshire.
VisitEngland director Patricia Yates said: “Record numbers of Brits have been taking holidays at home this year and with so much going on this summer the August Bank Holiday weekend is another chance to enjoy a great holiday whether on a seaside, countryside or city break”.
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Highways England announced that nearly 98% of England’s motorway and major A roads will be clear of roadworks over the weekend, with some 373 miles of roadworks either completed or suspended ahead of the holiday.
