Traffic hotspots and worst times to travel home for Christmas revealed with Brits to make 21 MILLION trips this week
THE biggest traffic hotspots and worst times to travel home for Christmas have been revealed – with Brits set to make 21million trips this week.
Christmas falls on a Monday this year, so many drivers will cram their journeys into the weekend before.
On Friday, 3.2million festive motorists will share the roads with parents on the school run and commuters.
Similar numbers will head home on Saturday December 23 and Christmas Eve.
RAC expert Alice Simpson said: “Christmas falls on a Monday this year.
“There’s no need for drivers to use annual leave for getaway trips as they can travel over the weekend before.
“For that very reason, our research suggests these days will be the busiest times to drive.
“We urge people to set off as early as possible on Saturday and Sunday.
Alice added that most delays are expected on motorways and A-roads.
INRIX data whizz Bob Pishue said that London and the surrounding counties are likely to see the worst traffic.
Bob said: “On average, drivers could see travel times up to 20% longer this holiday season.
“Travellers around Greater London could experience more than double typical drive times.”
Roads will also be busy on Christmas Day itself and Boxing Day, with around 3.5million journeys planned.
But serious delays are less likely, since few drivers will be heading to school or work.
AA president Edmund King urged drivers to carry out vehicle checks before setting off to avoid a breakdown.
He added it is especially important to check your tyres, fuel, oil, coolant and screen wash.
Worst times to travel and roads to watch
- There are likely to be delays of around 40 minutes between Friday 22 and Christmas Eve on the M25 clockwise west of London.
- An hour-long queue is expected along the M25 clockwise between the M23 for Gatwick and M40 for Birmingham on the 23rd December.
- Drivers heading anti-clockwise between J17 – J12 on the same day should also prepare themselves for longer waits of around half an hour.
- The M1 north between Woburn to Daventry and the M6 south from Wigan to Stafford will be hit hard
- The busiest time to travel each day will be between midday and 2pm
- The best time to travel will be before 11am or after 6pm on December 22 and December 23.