Christmas Travel Chaos: 60% of Trips Packed in Last Three Days Before Festive Weekend
A study of 2,100 drivers by RAC and INRIX reveals a hectic Christmas rush, with 60% of journeys squeezed into the final three days before the 25th. This year, Christmas falls on a Monday, pushing traffic to soar in the lead-up.
Traffic Surge: Leisure Journeys Set to Explode
Leisure travel creeps up gradually all week before blasting off with a 43% jump from 2.2 million trips on Thursday 21st December to a whopping 3.2 million on Friday 22nd.
The busiest time will be from Friday 22nd to Christmas Eve with an estimated 13.5 million car journeys – a 20% rise on last year. While Christmas Eve trips match “Frantic Friday” at 3.2 million, Friday’s roads will feel even busier with commuters and school runs mixed in.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day will still see around 3.5 million trips daily but should face fewer hold-ups without the usual commercial and commuter crush.
Gridlock Warnings: Motorway Delays Loom Large
INRIX data forecasts daily delays of about 40 minutes on the M25 clockwise west of Greater London from Friday to Sunday. The worst? A mile-long queue expected on December 23rd between Gatwick and Birmingham (M25 between M23 and M40), a key north/west route.
Drivers on the M25 anti-clockwise (J17–J12) can expect half-hour waits. Elsewhere, the M1 northbound (Woburn to Daventry) and M6 southbound (Wigan to Stafford) will bear the brunt of the jams.
Key travel tip: Avoid the lunchtime crush between 12pm and 2pm on major routes. The sweet spots to hit the road are before 11am or after 6pm on the 22nd and 23rd for smoother journeys.
Expert Advice: Prepare for Peak Chaos
“With Christmas on a Monday, there’s no need to burn annual leave,” says RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson. “So, expect heavy traffic on the weekend before. Set off early Saturday or Sunday to beat the rush.”
“Drivers must keep their cars in check using the ‘FORCES’ check – Fuel, Oil, Rubber, Coolant, Electrics, and Screenwash – especially on motorways and A-roads where most delays will hit.”
Simpson also highlights National Highways’ removal of most roadworks but warns, “More drivers mean more breakdowns. RAC has released safety videos for stranded motorists, which can be viewed on YouTube.”
INRIX analyst Bob Pishue warns, “Travel times could balloon by 20%, with Greater London drivers facing double usual delays. Avoid peak hours and use traffic apps to dodge gridlocks.”
Need a last-minute car fix? Book an RAC Mobile Mechanic to service or repair your vehicle from home or work before the big day.
