MORE than 37 MILLION trips to see family and friends are planned to be taken on UK roads this Christmas – with the RAC warnings of traffic chaos in parts of the country.

Motoring organisation the RAC said it is expecting this year’s festive getaway to see 37.5m trips next week – the highest it has predicted since it started collecting data in 2013 – and up by 8m trips since last year.

Experts said they expect drivers are planning to set off early to avoid a frantic weekend on UK roads, with around 18% of getaway journeys, 6.5m trips, set to be made on Wednesday and Thursday (December 17 and 18).

But the RAC expects the main wave of festive journeys to start tomorrow (December 19), with 3.6m trips planned, before what t is dubbing ‘Snarl-up Saturday’ (December 20), with more than 4m journeys.

Around 3.5m journeys are expected on Sunday (December 21), with 5.3m trips set to take place between Friday and Sunday, with drivers unsure of when.

There will be a lull at the start of next week, the RAC said, perhaps pointing to a phase where drivers can avoid the worst of the congestion – though many will still be working.

However, volumes of traffic could be at their highest since Covid on Christmas Eve, when 4.2m getaways are expected – the single biggest day for travel.

The data also shows drivers are planning to make a further 4.2m journeys at some point between December 22 and Christmas Eve.

Analysis from transport analytics experts INRIX suggests there will be lengthy delays at peak times on ‘Frantic Friday’, as drivers leave major cities for the Christmas break and share the roads with people finishing the working week.

Queues of more than half an hour are expected from 4.30pm along the M25 clockwise from J15 for the M4 to J19 Watford and anticlockwise from Kingston to East Grinstead, as well as in Manchester on the M60 clockwise from J7 Altrincham to J18 for the M62 for Leeds.

On the same day, Wales looks set to see hold ups from 7.30am towards the Prince of Wales Bridge, with delays of more than half an hour expected along the M4 eastbound from Newport and the Brynglas Tunnels.

On the two busiest days over the getaway period – ‘Snarl-up Saturday’ and Christmas Eve – the RAC and INRIX are advising drivers to expect lengthy delays on major roads between 11am and 7pm, when most journeys will be made.

“Leisure trips by car show no sign of easing on the Christmas bank holidays either, although the absence of regular commuter traffic and heavy goods vehicles should make journeys easier,” an RAC spokesperson said.

“Drivers are expecting to make 4.7m journeys to see friends and family on Christmas Day, 4.6m on Boxing Day and 4.1m on December 27 as they travel home or continue their celebrations elsewhere.

“Rail engineering works could also force more people onto the roads as no trains will run from London Liverpool Street and London Waterloo stations, or between Cambridge to Cambridge North and Bury St Edmunds to Stansted Airport, all on December 27.

“In Scotland, buses will replace trains in West Dunbartonshire from December 27 to New Year’s Eve, which may affect traffic in those areas.”

RAC mobile servicing and repairs team leader, Nick Mullender, urged people to plan their journeys wisely.

“With record numbers predicted to be taking to the roads this Christmas, journeys have the potential to be ‘Grinch-worthy’ without some careful planning,” he said.

“The week before Christmas is one of the few times of year when most of the UK hits the road simultaneously, with 2025 looking to be the busiest getaway period since our records began. ‘Snarl-up Saturday’ will be especially busy amid journeys home and the final weekend for gift shopping, but it’s midweek Christmas Eve that takes the top spot, suggesting many drivers are saving their precious annual leave and making getaway journeys at the very last moment.

“This year motorists tell us the reliability and convenience of the car, the practicality of transporting passengers, presents and luggage, and the cost compared to catching trains or coaches are the main reasons for driving rather than using any alternative form of transport.

“Seasonal issues are also a factor in the decision, like fears about public transport being delayed or cancelled due to bad weather or engineering works.

“Perhaps more so than at any other time of year, festive journeys really matter to people – and with so many of us relying on our cars, it’s vital we make sure they’re ready for the road.

“Drivers can avoid a breakdown by checking their vehicles have enough oil and coolant, and that tyres are free of damage and inflated properly. If you realise your car needs something fixed before you travel, don’t hesitate to book an RAC mobile servicing and repair technician to repair any issues on your driveway.

“Then, to avoid traffic eating into festive fun with family and friends, make your journeys as early in the day as possible, or later in the evening once commuter trips have subsided.”

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