As millions start the big festive getaway today, motor agencies have warned of a “pre-Christmas panic” on the roads and record levels of traffic.
An estimated 29.3m Christmas getaway journeys will be made by drivers to see friends and family in the run-up to the 25th – the highest number since 2013 – with nearly half of those (14.3m) crammed into this coming weekend, according to new data from the RAC and INRIX.
It said because Christmas falls mid-week this year, there was likely to be an extended period of ‘pre-Christmas panic’ on the roads, predicting 5.7m trips to be taken on Wednesday and Thursday, ahead of the true festive getaway on Friday, with an expected 3m trips.
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After that, 3.7m journeys are set to be taken on what the RAC is dubbing ‘Snarl-up Saturday’, with 2.9m journeys on Sunday.
Monday (23 December) will see 3m journeys, but the busiest single day for getaways is predicted to be Christmas Eve, with 3.8m separate getaway journeys expected by car.
In a bid “to help make journeys smoother”, National Highways customer service director Andrew Butterfield said the agency will remove roadworks on 95% of the roads they manage.
Meanwhile, the AA has has issued several amber traffic warnings and says a record 23.7 million drivers are expected to make journeys today.
Data from an AA survey has claimed most drivers are staying local and travelling less than 50 miles over the holidays, but that Friday will still be the busiest day of Christmas driving since their records began in 2010.
Where are the busiest roads for Christmas travel?
The RAC’s warning came after the AA issued amber traffic warnings for the three days leading up to Christmas – predicting record levels of traffic this festive season.
The AA has predicted total traffic volume of 23.7 million drivers hitting the roads on Friday 20 December, which would mark the busiest day of not just this Christmas, but any Christmas since the AA began recording data 15 years ago.
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Friday 20 December: 23.7 million vehicles
Friday is set to be the busiest day of Christmas on the roads. (AA)
The breakdown and recovery service has issued several amber traffic warnings ahead of the 2024 Christmas getaway.
Those warnings are in place for the following roads:
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M25 around Heathrow Airport
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M6 J4-11 (M42-Wolverhampton)
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M27 J14-13 (Southampton to Portsmouth)
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M4 around Cardiff and Newport
The most common reason for travelling over the festive season is visiting family and friends, with around three-quarters driving home for Christmas and giving this as a reason for their trip, according to the AA.
National Highways said more than 95% of roadworks on its network of England’s motorways and major A roads will be lifted from 6am on Friday and will not be reinstated until 2 January.
This includes 45 miles of roadworks on the M1, which were put in place while additional emergency smart motorway stopping areas were installed.
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Saturday 21 December: 22.7 million vehicles
The M1, M25 and M62 are among those likely to have jams on the Saturday. (AA)
The final weekend before Christmas is set to cause long queues on Britain’s roads, with some 22.7 million vehicles expected.
Amber traffic warnings are in place for the following roads:
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M60 around the Trafford Centre
More than half of journeys over the Christmas period are anticipated to be no more than 50 miles.
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Monday 23 December: 22.7 million vehicles
Monday could see 22.7 million cars on the road. (AA)
The joint second worst day for traffic jams over Christmas is expected to be on Monday 23 December, with 22.7 million drivers expected.
Monday marks the last standard weekday before Christmas Eve, putting pressure on the roads as workers finish for the holidays and set off for their breaks and getaways.
Amber traffic warnings are in place for the following roads:
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M1 J10-15a (Luton to Northampton)
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M42 J3A-J8 (M40 to M6 interchanges)
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M5 J16-25 (Bristol to Taunton)
What is an amber traffic warning?
The AA has issued amber travel warnings for the three days over Christmas.
The first warnings were issued in July 2022 following record traffic at ports on the south coast of England to alert drivers to the severity of congestion.
Their analysis takes into consideration projected journeys, historical breakdown data and traffic flow information.
Amber warnings are issued to prepare drivers for forecasted congestion. The warnings are upgraded to red to alert drivers to live incidents.
At green, no warnings have been issued and traffic is at expected levels with minimal congestion and incidents.
Slow moving traffic on the M42 close to Birmingham on 23 December last year. (PA)
How bad was it in 2023?
Amber warnings were also issued last Christmas – however the figures were considerably lower than what is expected this year.
The busiest day was 23 December, with 16.4 million trips – compared to the 23.7 million expected on the busiest day this year.
Amber warnings were also in place on 22 December for the 16.1 million car journeys.
What should you take in your car?
Breaking down or being delayed in long traffic jams is never an enjoyable experience, however in the colder months it is particularly important to make sure you have everything you need in the event of a hold up.
Chris Wood, AA patrol of the year, urged drivers to perform “basic checks” on their vehicles before setting off.
He said: “This includes topping up the windscreen wash and anti-freeze, checking your lights and adjusting tyre pressures for a full load if necessary.”
You should ensure you have enough fuel for your journey, especially when roads are expected to be congested. (Getty)
Edmund King, AA president, added that checks should be made on whether you have enough fuel or EV range as well as oil levels.
In the event of being stuck in the cold, it is particularly important to keep warm – especially if you have elderly passengers or young children in the vehicle with you.
You should ensure you have bottles of water, high protein food or chocolate, warm clothes, coats and a hi-viz jacket if you need to attract attention in the event of a breakdown.
Drivers are being also being advised to have a fully-charged phone in case their journey takes longer than expected.
The AA also advised people to be prepared with plenty of fuel, to have their phones charged and tyres and lights checked.
It also suggests carrying food and warm clothes in case you get stuck in a traffic jam during what it says could be one of the busiest festive periods for road travel since it started keeping records in 2010.
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