For the past few weeks, the media have been constantly pushing the fuel crisis in the UK, leading to many British drivers rushing to petrol stations to try and stock up on as much petrol and diesel as possible. This has caused huge queues, road closures, and garages across the country to run out of fuel completely. Many citizens are finding it difficult to make it into work due to the fuel shortage and are having to travel long distances just to fuel up their car. Because of this, many people are wondering when roads are least busy in the UK.

When Are Roads Least Busy In The UK?

Whilst it’s difficult to say when roads will consistently be least busy, the general quiet times are before and after UK rush hours.

Rush hours are thought to be:

Monday: 7am-9am/4pm-7pm
Tuesday: 7am-9am/4pm-7pm
Wednesday: 7am-9am/4pm-7pm
Thursday: 7am-9am/4pm-7pm
Friday: 7am-9am/4pm-7pm
Saturday: Differ Between Cities
Sunday: Evenings Prior To Bank Holidays

Why Is There a Petrol Shortage?

In short, the fuel crisis has occurred due to a deficiency in HGV lorry drivers in the UK. There is not actually a shortage of fuel in Britain, but a lack of drivers to transport the fuel. For many months now, many companies have been crying out for HGV drivers to transport goods across Britain, and the effects of Brexit certainly have made things slightly harder. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), an industry body, has said that the shortage is now at crisis point, and that 100,000 more drivers are needed at this time to soften the situation. 

For the time being, it is still possible to fill your car up in the UK, drivers will just have to try and ration the fuel better and potentially fill up when roads are least busy.