About 17 million cars are expected to be on the roads on December 23 and on Christmas Eve
(Picture: PA)Whether it is to see loved ones at home or to go on a well-deserved break, millions of people travel across the nation over Christmas. And, because of the rail strikes that are taking place, many are expected to go by road rather than take a train.
The AA is estimating that nearly 17 million cars will be on the roads on both December 23 and Christmas Eve.
If you’ve started planning your Christmas journey, you might be wondering which roads to steer clear of to avoid hours of traffic jams.
Here is a comprehensive list of the roads that are expected to be the busiest during the holidays.
Which roads should I avoid during my Christmas travel?
It probably won’t come as a surprise to hear that the M25, which encircles the capital, is estimated to be very busy.
The M5 between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare and the M6 around Birmingham are also ones to stay away from.
The M1 from Luton northwards, the M27 in Hampshire and the M4, which runs between west London and south-west Wales, are also estimated to be some of the busiest roads. Additionally, the M60 and M62 in north-west England are likely to have significant traffic volumes.
Business-related travel is expected to be quieter than usual between December 16 and the new year, so most of the traffic will be for personal reasons.
The AA’s president, Edmund King, advised drivers to check their vehicles before they start their Christmas journey as a preventable breakdown will be unpleasant for both the driver and any other drivers affected.
Things to check include your levels of fuel, oil, coolant and screen wash, and your tyres’ inflation levels.
Given the cold and snowy weather we have had in recent days, and icy roads, it would be wise to check the weather forecast while planning your journey.
