As the summer holidays draw to a close, schools reopen and normal commuters resume the 9 to 5 across the UK, SNAP is encouraging HGV drivers and fleet operators to prepare for the return of busier roads, increased commuter traffic and greater pressure during peak travel periods.
The return to school can have a significant impact on traffic levels, particularly during the morning rush hour. Transport for London data has previously shown that the school run can account for around 25% of weekday morning traffic in the capital, highlighting the difference that the new school term can make to journeys.
The September return comes as Britain’s roads are already busier. According to the latest Department for Transport figures, motor vehicles travelled 342.6 billion miles on Great Britain’s roads during 2025, an increase of 1.9% compared with 2024 and 1.2% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Car traffic alone increased by 2.5% year-on-year, reaching 262.4 billion vehicle miles.
For professional drivers, the return of the school run and regular commuting patterns can mean more than simply spending longer behind the wheel. Unplanned congestion can disrupt schedules, affect planned stops and make it more important for drivers to consider where and when they will take required breaks.
HGVs travelled 16.3 billion miles on Great Britain’s roads during 2025, demonstrating the scale of the freight industry’s daily presence on the road network.
Unlike car traffic, which typically experiences pronounced morning and evening peaks, Department for Transport analysis has shown that weekday HGV traffic remains relatively consistent between approximately 6am and 6pm.
This means professional drivers can experience the effects of changing traffic patterns throughout their working day, making forward planning particularly important as the quieter summer period comes to an end.
Planning ahead as September begins
SNAP is encouraging drivers and fleet operators to factor additional traffic into journey planning as schools return and to consider how potential delays could affect planned breaks and stopping locations.
Drivers should consider checking traffic and road conditions before setting off, allowing additional time around known congestion hotspots and planning suitable HGV parking and rest locations in advance.
Planning becomes particularly important when delays begin to affect drivers’ schedules. Knowing where suitable truck parking is available further along a route can help drivers adapt when journeys don’t go according to plan.
A 2024 survey of 1,100 truck drivers across seven major European markets found that more than 90% prioritised better access to well-equipped rest areas and better treatment at delivery sites, demonstrating how important suitable stopping facilities remain to professional drivers.
Nick Long, Head of UK Commercial at SNAP said:
“September marks a noticeable change on our roads. Schools reopen, people return from summer holidays and normal commuting patterns resume, all while professional drivers continue to keep goods moving across the country.
“For an HGV driver, congestion isn’t only about arriving somewhere a little later. Delays can have a knock-on effect across an entire journey, particularly when drivers have planned where they need to stop and take their breaks. These delays can also increase costs for the business they are driving for, adding to already rising operational pressures across the supply chain.”
“That makes preparation incredibly important. Checking conditions before setting off, allowing for busier periods and knowing where suitable parking and rest facilities are located along a route can give drivers more options when unexpected delays occur.
“Professional drivers are highly experienced at adapting to changing road conditions, but as we move from the quieter summer period into the September rush, planning ahead can help make that transition easier.”
SNAP connects drivers and fleet operators with a network of truck parking and roadside services across the UK and Europe, helping professional drivers find suitable stopping locations as part of their journeys.
As traffic returns to its familiar September rhythm, SNAP is reminding road users to remain patient, plan ahead and be mindful of the wide range of vehicles sharing the road.
For HGV drivers in particular, building additional time into journeys and considering parking and rest requirements before setting off can help minimise the impact when congestion inevitably causes plans to change.
