UK roads face record Christmas getaway chaos

Almost 30 million trips are expected in the coming days.

UK highway traffic

Photo by: Skanska Group

Angel Sergeev

By: Angel Sergeev

Dec 19, 2024 at 3:15am ET

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It’s beginning to look a lot like… gridlock. If you thought Santa’s sleigh was the only thing busy this Christmas, think again. An eye-watering 29.3 million car journeys are expected in the run-up to Christmas Day, according to the latest data from the RAC and traffic analytics wizards at INRIX. That’s the highest since 2013 and proof that Brits love nothing more than spending the holidays… stuck in traffic.

This weekend is shaping up to be a car-mageddon like no other. Nearly half of those trips (14.3 million, to be exact) are slated for Friday 20th and Saturday 21st December, nicknamed “Frantic Friday” and “Snarl-up Saturday.” On Friday, a modest three million people will hit the roads, but that number revs up to 3.7 million on Saturday, as procrastinators everywhere make a last-minute dash to relatives, shopping centres, and any place with mulled wine.

For Sunday, the chaos calms slightly with a “mere” 2.9 million trips. However, an additional 4.7 million motorists have yet to decide when they’ll brave the roads, ensuring plenty of unpredictable jams for everyone.

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The real icing on this bumper-to-bumper Christmas cake? Christmas Eve. With 3.8 million trips expected, it will be the busiest day yet, featuring a heady mix of frantic last-minute shoppers, commuters, and folks trying to flee the holiday madness altogether.

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INRIX warns that major roads will resemble parking lots this weekend. Drivers on the M3 and M25 in the South, the M53 in the North, and anyone heading toward Gatwick Airport should prepare for 45-minute delays during peak hours. “Peak hours,” by the way, are essentially 1 pm to 7 pm, so pack snacks and download a playlist – it’s going to be a long ride.

Just when you thought it was safe to unwrap presents and put your feet up, Boxing Day traffic rears its ugly head. An additional 4.4 million trips will take place on 26 December, with roads clogging up between 10 am and 3 pm. Planning a festive getaway or heading home from the in-laws? Think again.

Source: RAC

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