Drivers have been warned to prepare for the busiest festive getaway in over decade, with a record 29.3 million journeys expected on UK roads before Christmas Day.
The RAC and INRIX data found that during the festive period it will have the highest number of holiday journeys since 2013, with nearly half of all trips crammed into this coming weekend alone.
An estimated 14.3 million journeys will take place over the weekend, as families and friends make their way across the country for Christmas celebrations.
With Christmas falling mid-week this year, experts predict an extended period of pre-Christmas traffic chaos, with 5.7 million trips being made this Wednesday and Thursday.
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M25 anticlockwise from the M1 near Watford to the M23 for Gatwick Airport will be busier than usual
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Meanwhile December 21 is set to see 3.7 million journeys, surpassing the traditional busy Friday December 20 which expects to see three million trips taken.
Christmas Eve is predicted to be the single busiest day, with 3.8 million separate getaway journeys planned, alongside the final wave of commuter traffic.
Sunday December 22 will see 2.9 million journeys, while an additional 4.7 million trips are expected at some point between December 20 and 22 from motorists still undecided on their travel dates.
A further 2.5 million drivers also plan to travel either on December 23 or 24, adding to the congestion.
Transport analytics warn of lengthy delays this weekend, with queues of more than 45 minutes expected on Friday evening, December 20, on the M3 between the M25 and south coast.
The M25 anticlockwise from the M1 near Watford to the M23 for Gatwick Airport is also expected to face significant delays. In the north, the M53 northbound from Chester to Liverpool will be worst affected during Friday evening rush hour.
Drivers are advised to avoid travelling between 1pm and 7pm on both Friday and Saturday, with experts recommending early morning or late evening journeys to avoid the worst congestion.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Our research suggests that with Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, many drivers will be squeezing in their getaway trips right up until the big day itself.”
She added: “While the getaway starts to ramp up from Friday, Snarl-up Saturday looks particularly challenging as does Christmas Eve. Travelling outside peak hours might be the only way drivers miss the worst of the jams.”
She warned that planned rail strikes would add to travel difficulties as more people would resort to driving instead forcing more cars onto the road.
National Highways Customer Service Director Andrew Butterfield said: “With more people expected to travel during the festive period and recent storms causing widespread disruption, it’s crucial for drivers to plan ahead and exercise extra caution on the roads.”
To help ease congestion, Butterfield explained that roadworks will be removed from 95 per cent of National Highways-managed roads.
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Drivers are being urged to check traffic levels before setting off this Christmas
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“Anyone who has any doubts about their vehicle should book an appointment with an RAC Mobile Mechanic as soon as possible,” Simpson added.
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister has advised ferry passengers not to arrive more than two hours before their crossing time, comparing it to airport check-in procedures.
