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It might be quicker to get to New York than the Lake District this Bank Holiday, research finds

With flights to New York taking under eight hours, the Big Apple might be a faster option

Jack Peat
Thursday 24 May 2018 21:15 BST
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Traffic jams are predicted for the bank holiday weekend
Traffic jams are predicted for the bank holiday weekend

People could fly to New York in the same time they will spend on the road this Bank Holiday, according to new research.

Road traffic data analysis shows that many will attempt to travel around the UK over the three days.

But research from Virgin Atlantic in collaboration with INRIX, a leading transportation analytics company, journeys of under 100 miles from London will take nearly seventy per cent longer to reach this weekend.

With travel disruption predicted, that have concluded that Edinburgh could take up to thirteen hours to reach by road from London.

A weekend jaunt to the Lake District from the capital will take almost eight hours, and with flights to New York taking just 7 hours and 45 minutes.

Reaching Glasgow will take more than nine hours and a trip to Loch Ness will require a lengthy 12 hours and 28 minutes in the car.

“Many of us are willing to spend countless hours travelling around the UK over the bank holiday, but very few think about the possible destinations we could reach in the same time," said Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer.

Graham Cookson, Chief Economist & Head of Research, at INRIX added: “This bank holiday is set to be a very busy time for road travel. A large increase in the volume of vehicles on the road could mean that even simple journeys are likely to incur significant delays.

“Popular bank holiday destinations such as Brighton, could take almost double the time to travel to, leaving your time enjoying the beach significantly reduced.”

ESTIMATED BANK HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIMES FROM LONDON

Blackpool, journey time: 6 hours and 41 minutes

• Save your loved ones from yet another year of crushed sticks of rock, and bring them back something from the glitzy streets of Manhattan.

Glasgow, journey time: 9 hours and 16 minutes

• Not ready to trial the Scottish delicacy of haggis yet? Enjoy eighteen (!) types of New York bagels from Zucker’s Bagels instead.

Yorkshire Dales, journey time: 6 hours and 46 minutes

• Want to actually see some greenery as opposed to the dulcet grey of the motorway; why not take a stroll around Central Park instead?

Lake District, journey time: 7 hours and 59 minutes

• If it’s a view point you’re after, then swap eight hours on the road for eight hours in the sky for the unforgettable view from the Empire State Building.

Loch Ness, journey time: 12 hours and 28 minutes

• Instead of hunting down the Loch Ness Monster, spend your time exploring New York’s five incredible boroughs to explore art in Brooklyn, discover global food in Queens, and the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

SWNS.

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