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it could be christmas busiest on record to britain roadswith traffic Expected to peak on Friday with millions of people cars,
ComeThe one who prepared the estimate said a sustained upward trend since Covid is lifted Travel can see restrictions busiest christmas On record.
Survey of over 10,000 Come 72 percent of members said they planned to travel that day – that equates to about 24.4 million cars hitting the road.
most of drivers Among those who said they would stay local, nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would take car trips of up to 50 miles.
Only 5 percent said they would drive 51 to 100 miles, and 2 percent planned more than 100 miles.
The survey also suggested that the main reason for car travel during the festive period is to visit family and friends, followed by shopping and work.
The AA said the results indicate congestion is likely to occur at retail hotspots and around motorway interchanges.
Some locations considered to be at high risk for jams include:
- M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow
- M60 near Trafford Centre, Greater Manchester
- M5/M6 interchange near Birmingham
- M25 near Heathrow Airport, West London
- M25 near Bluewater, Kent
- M4/M5 interchange near Bristol
The AA’s Shaun Jones advised drivers to plan in advance, check your route and allow extra time.
“We know drivers will be heading out for all sorts of festive fun – from pantomimes and Christmas markets to family trips and nature walks,” he said.
“But with so many sleighs on the tarmac, patience will be your best gift this year. Pack the essentials, top up your tank or EV charge, and don’t let congestion steal your Christmas glow. If you’re parking your car over the festive period, start it for a few minutes every couple of days to make sure it’s ready for January.”
He said those traveling in Hampshire should consider alternative routes due to the closure of the M27.
Meanwhile, mapping and location technology company TomTom has issued a “serious” warning. traffic on Saturday, when many people will be out on last-minute shopping trips or visiting loved ones.
Analysis on the Saturday before Christmas Day last year found Edinburgh was the UK’s most congested city, with journeys taking an average of 50.1 per cent longer than in free-flowing traffic. Traffic jams continued in the Scottish capital between noon and 4 pm.
London was the second most congested city, with a 10 km (6.2 mi) journey taking more than 40 minutes in the evening. Manchester was in third place, followed by Birmingham and Sheffield.
The RAC estimates that a total of 37.5 million holiday trips by car are planned between Wednesday and Christmas Eve.
That’s the highest in the week before Christmas Day since the company began recording data in 2013.
Christmas Eve is expected to be the busiest day for holiday journeys over the festive period, with 4.2 million journeys.
Nick Mullender, RAC mobile servicing and repair team leader, said: “With record numbers of people predicted to be on the roads this Christmas, journeys without some careful planning are likely to be ‘Grinch-worthy’.
“The week before Christmas is one of the few times of year when much of the UK is out on the streets together, with 2025 being the busiest holiday period since our records began.”
During this time, Independent has calculated that Saturday 20 and Monday 22 December will be the busiest days on the railway in the run-up to Christmas.
While individual lines are likely to vary – especially after Christmas when there is widespread network rail Engineering work has begun – passengers are more or less guaranteed uncrowded travel on December 24 and 31, as well as New Year’s Day.
Trainline data for the past two years shows that the busiest time for total passenger numbers is on the Saturday before Christmas, from 10am to 11am. The three busiest routes are to and from London Euston, serving Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Milton Keynes Central.
The best day to visit before Christmas is Wednesday 24 December to avoid the crowds. Be aware, however, that services close early: the last London-Edinburgh train leaves at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve, while the last Newcastle-Birmingham departure is at 5.40pm.
In the UK, no trains run on Christmas Day and very few trains run on Boxing Day.