Revealed: The UK's festive traffic hotspots as millions hit road for Christmas

Both the RAC and the AA predicted that Friday would be the busiest day on the roads, with an estimated 16.9 million journeys predicted to be made across the UK.

Ellen Manning
Updated ·3 min read

Drivers warned over long queues during 'frantic' Christmas getaway

A 'frantic' getaway is underway as millions of people rush to spend Christmas with family and friends, with experts warning that people should prepare for long queues.

Both the RAC and the AA predicted that Friday would be the busiest day on the roads, with an estimated 16.9 million journeys predicted to be made across the UK.

The RAC singled out the M25 clockwise between Junction 7 and Junction 16 as an area to avoid on Friday afternoon, with transport analytics company Inrix saying data suggested average vehicle speeds could be as low as 26mph.

Other roads likely to be hit by congestion on Friday were expected to include the M60 near Manchester, the M6 in north-west England and the M40 in Oxfordshire.

The RAC highlighted areas where the longest days were expected and how many minutes people will have to face. (RAC)
The RAC highlighted areas where the longest days were expected and how many minutes people will have to face. (RAC)

Data published by RAC and Inrix showed specific stretches where delays were expected and when.

They included 30-minute delays on Friday between the A303 west Solstice Park to the A36 at 12.30pm, then 26-minute delays on Christmas Eve on the M6 south between junction 27 and junction 13.

Delays are also expected on Boxing Day on the M25 clockwise between junction seven and 16, and anticlockwise between junction 17 and junction 12. Delays are also expected on Tuesday, 27 December.

Inrix said journey times are expected to be around 14% longer compared with the same period last year.

Traffic woes are set to continue on Christmas Eve, with a further 16.6 million journeys expected to be made.

Data from the RAC and Inrix showed specific delays and timings. (RAC/Inrix)
Data from the RAC and Inrix showed specific delays and timings. (RAC/Inrix)

The situation was expected to be compounded due to strikes across the rail network, with thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) at Network Rail causing train services to finish at around 3pm on Saturday.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "We’re expecting to see lengthy delays on parts of the M25 today as Christmas getaway and end-of-the-week commuter traffic combine.

"We advise drivers, if possible, to avoid these roads around this time or delay their trips until after 7pm this evening when traffic is predicted to be lighter.

"A single vehicle breakdown also has the potential to add to the queues, so we encourage motorists to complete a few pre-drive checks before setting out – in particular ensuring oil and coolant levels are correct, and tyres have plenty of tread and are properly inflated."

Watford: Evening traffic jam on British motorway M1.M25/M1 junction.
One section of the M25 was set to be the busiest area on Friday afternoon. (Stock image: Getty)

National Highways said almost 98% of England’s motorways and major A-roads will be fully open until the end of 2 January due to it completing and lifting roadworks.

AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: "We are advising those heading out in their cars to be prepared for some congestion, especially on popular routes heading out of London.

"The rail strikes have convinced more people to travel by car this year, and while hundreds of miles of roadworks have been removed to ease the pain, it might not be enough to keep the queues away."

Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue said: "With pre-pandemic levels of travellers hitting the road this holiday, drivers must be prepared for delays – especially in and around major cities."