The traffic had become heavy ahead of the Easter long weekend, but at least the weather will be good for those heading to the coast.
RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Richie said traffic had been building early on Thursday afternoon as holidaymakers made their way to the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast for the four-day weekend.
"Traffic is going to be very slow, probably from this afternoon into tomorrow morning as people head off on their Easter long weekends," she said.
"Everyone's got the same idea, we're already starting to see traffic build on the M1 on the Gold Coast.
"So heading north to the Sunshine Coast, heading south, all those key hot spots that we see build on long weekends will build just the same on this long weekend as well."
Traffic already starting to build PACIFIC Mwy SB at the GATEWAY Mwy Merg. Travel safe this holidays. #qldtraffic #bnetraffic
— QLDTrafficMetro (@QLDTrafficMetro) April 13, 2017
The weather is going to be "pretty good" across south-east Queensland over the long weekend, according to Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore.
"[Brisbane can expect] temperatures in pretty much the high 20s right through the long weekend with lots of sunshine about as well for the entire weekend, which is really good," he said.
"Just a slight chance of a coastal shower on the Friday and probably also on the Sunday as well, but really it's a very low chance and they'll be very very isolated."
Brisbane is forecast for a high of 27 degrees on Friday and tops of 28 degrees for the rest of the weekend.
"The majority of the weekend will be lots of sunshine, cool nights but warm sunny days with just a few clouds around," Mr Narramore said.
"It's a little bit cooler on the Gold Coast, around the 26s and 27s, and the Sunshine Coast looking pretty much a solid 27 right through and even a less chance of a shower up there."
As for the return journey for those heading either north or south, Ms Richie said the RACQ recommended people staggered their time to come home.
"Leave a little earlier or leave a little later than that traditional afternoon traffic when everyone heads back home," she said.
"Take your time, pack your patience, you'll get there eventually."