Record 29.3 million trips planned before Christmas
Try to avoid travelling at peak times over the Christmas period
The weekend before Christmas is always one of the busiest of the year. And, depending on which roads you take, you could end up stuck in standstill traffic.
This year, a record-breaking 29.3 million journeys will be made over the Christmas period, the highest number since 2013.
14.3 million to travel this weekend
A total of 5.7 million trips are expected to be taken on Wednesday (18th) and Thursday (19th), but the real festive rush is happening from Friday (20th) to Sunday (22nd), with just over 14 million trips planned.
Friday will see approximately 3 million trips taken, with that number jumping up to 3.7 million on what the RAC is calling ‘Snarl-up Saturday’, the final Saturday before Christmas. Sunday is expected to see 2.9 million journeys.
RAC research suggests that a further 4.7 million journeys will be made over the weekend by people who haven’t decided what day they’ll be travelling.
Best and worst times to travel this Christmas
What time you travel around Christmas time can mean the difference between a quick journey or being stuck in traffic for hours.
Here’s the times to avoid while travelling this Christmas:
| Date | Times to avoid | Best time to travel |
| Weds 18 December | 1pm to 6pm | After 6pm |
| Thurs 19 December | 8am to 6pm | After 6pm |
| Fri 20 December | 2pm to 7pm | After 7pm |
| Sat 21 December | 1pm to 6pm | Before 1pm |
| Sun 22 December | 8am to 11am | After 6pm |
| Mon 23 December | 10am to 4pm | After 4pm |
| Tues 24 December | 10am to 4pm | After 4pm |
Roads to avoid this Christmas
Many of the major roads are likely to be busier than ever, particularly on the days when people will still be commuting to and from their jobs.
Here’s the roads to avoid while travelling this Christmas:
M3: In Surrey and Hampshire
M25: Anticlockwise from the M1 junction to the M23
M53: From Chester to Liverpool
Travelling after Christmas
It’s estimated that Boxing Day will see 4.4 million trips, while 27 December will see 3.8 million. RAC advises that people avoid travelling between 10am and 3pm on those days, as that’s when the roads are likely to be busiest.
There are major engineering works taking place at London Liverpool Street, Paddington, and St Pancras between Christmas and New Year, so drivers may find the major roads in and out of London more congested than usual.
Stay safe this Christmas period and use our five top tips to keep you safe while driving in winter weather.
