**Motorists Advised to Brace for Heavy Congestion as Glastonbury Festival Gets Underway**
As the calendar turns to late June, roads across the West Country are expected to see significant delays, with the onset of the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm. With thousands of festival-goers making the annual pilgrimage to Somerset, experts warn that familiar routes such as the M4, M5, and A303 could become severely congested even before festivities officially begin.
According to the RAC, one of the UK’s leading motoring organisations, drivers should be prepared for traffic to start intensifying from as early as Tuesday evening, prior to the festival’s car parks opening their gates. Analysis of previous travel patterns reveals that last year, traffic queues from the M5 at Puriton leading to the A361 more than doubled between 8pm and 9pm on the Tuesday evening ahead of Glastonbury’s start. Likewise, drivers heading from the M4 in Wiltshire to the A361 westbound reported heavy delays during similar periods.
To avoid the worst of the congestion, the RAC is advising music fans to carefully consider both their timing and their route choices. For those planning to arrive on Wednesday, beating the early morning rush is encouraged. It appears that the most substantial influx of vehicles typically occurs between 7am and 2pm; thus, those arriving during these hours may face protracted delays. Notably, last year’s data indicates that the A37 southbound from Bristol became particularly treacherous: 30-minute hold-ups were commonplace from 10am, worsening steadily until wait-times stretched to more than two hours by early afternoon.
Further afield, the main southbound artery from Bridgwater on the A39—serving traffic from the M5—began experiencing delays upwards of half an hour from as early as 7am. Organisers have stressed that these travel times are before the additional wait required to access festival car parks, where queues can often add several more hours to the journey.
The official Glastonbury Festival website offers practical guidance for would-be attendees, recommending that drivers make use of the blue route from the A303, followed by the A37 where feasible, as these approaches are known to be less congested and offer more ample parking space. However, those opting for the A39 should brace themselves for multi-hour queues, with the likelihood of a protracted start to their festival experience.
Nor will the mammoth crowds cause headaches only on entry; departing Worthy Farm presents its own logistical challenges. An estimated 210,000 attendees are set to leave the site on Monday, June 30th—an exodus expected to clog surrounding roads throughout the day. The RAC warns that return journeys to the M5 saw over 90 minutes of additional travel time between midday and 3pm last year. Meanwhile, congestion on the A37 leading towards Chippenham and Bristol began building as the sun rose at 7am.
For those seeking to sidestep the worst queues, festival organisers suggest alternative departure routes: for example, the 12-mile stretch on the A37 southbound towards the A303 via Podimore, and the A361 to the A350 by way of Frome and Swindon reportedly offered shorter wait times last year. The RAC also notes that travelling home between 1am and 7am on Monday morning is optimal for avoiding gridlock—but caution drivers about the dangers of taking the wheel after an intense festival weekend, especially if sleep-deprived or under the influence.
The allure of this year’s Glastonbury is strong, with headline performances from The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo poised to attract record numbers. The event, which runs from Wednesday 26 June through to Monday 30 June, is set to mark another chapter in the festival’s storied history.
Local authorities and the RAC both remind drivers to check live travel updates before setting off and to plan accordingly. Those unfamiliar with the area are encouraged to use digital navigation tools and to have patience, as the spirit of Glastonbury is often matched by the endurance required to get there and home safely.
As preparations intensify, festival-goers and local residents alike are bracing for a week of celebration—and congestion. With a bit of planning and some flexibility, however, both music lovers and motorists have every chance of enjoying a smooth festival weekend.