Drivers Warned of Record Holiday Traffic as Christmas Getaway Peaks

Travel experts urge motorists to avoid major routes during peak hours this weekend, with congestion expected to worsen through Christmas Eve.

The RAC and Inrix predict record-breaking traffic, with 29.3 million journeys expected between December 18 and Christmas Eve, the highest since 2013.
Friday and Saturday are forecasted to be particularly congested, with the busiest travel times between 1pm and 7pm on both days.
Key traffic hotspots include the M3 near the M25, the M25 anticlockwise between the M1 and M23, and the M53 from Chester to Liverpool.
National Highways will suspend 95% of roadworks from December 20 to January 2 to ease congestion, but drivers are advised to plan ahead and prepare for severe weather.
Rail disruptions, including engineering works and station closures, are expected to push more travelers onto the roads, further increasing congestion.