UK Christmas traffic alert: Key times and routes to avoid as millions hit the roads this weekend

Motorists have been alerted to a list of roads expected to be most impacted by Christmas traffic across the UK. Travel experts are advising Brits to avoid major routes for six-hour periods on both Friday and Saturday to dodge the worst of the holiday congestion. According to the RAC and transport analytics firm Inrix, roads are predicted to be busiest between 1pm and 7pm on these days.

Traffic hotspots include the M3 between its junction with the M25 and the south coast, the M25 anticlockwise between its junctions with the M1 and the M23, and the M53 from Chester to Liverpool.

A survey commissioned by the RAC involving 2,100 UK adults indicated that around 3 million leisure car trips are scheduled for Friday, increasing to 3.7 million on Saturday. The peak of getaway traffic is anticipated on Christmas Eve, with an estimated 3.8 million journeys.

Between Wednesday and Christmas Eve, it's projected that a total of 29.3 million festive journeys will be made, marking the highest number since the RAC started tracking this data in 2013. A separate RAC poll involving 1,074 adults revealed that 53% of those planning such car journeys chose this mode of transport due to its flexibility and convenience, reports the Mirror.

More than a third of travellers (35%) have expressed concerns that their journey would be excessively lengthy if taken via public transport, while 34% feel that public transport isn't a viable option due to travelling with a group or excessive luggage. RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson commented: "Our research suggests that with Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, many drivers will be squeezing in their getaway trips right up until the big day itself."

"While the getaway starts to ramp up from Friday, snarl-up Saturday looks particularly challenging, as does Christmas Eve. Travelling outside peak hours might be the only way drivers miss the worst of the jams."

Inrix transportation analyst Bob Pishue advised: "With so many people expected to hit the road this holiday season, drivers should expect delays in and around major cities. Planning ahead is key to avoiding the country's worst traffic jams."

National Highways has announced that over 95% of roadworks on its network of England's motorways and major A roads will be suspended starting at 6am on Friday, with no plans to reinstate them before January 2. This suspension includes 45 miles of roadworks on the M1, which were implemented for the installation of additional emergency smart motorway stopping areas.

Significant closures include London Liverpool Street station, which will be shut from Christmas Day until January 2, while London Paddington will see no trains stopping between Friday December 27 and Sunday December 29. Train services will also be affected between Crewe and Liverpool with no direct services, and a reduced service between Crewe and Manchester from Saturday December 28 until Friday January 3.

Additionally, disruptions are expected in the Cambridge area from Friday December 27 to Sunday January 5, and no trains will operate between Harpenden and London from Saturday December 21 to Sunday December 29. Concerns are also mounting over potential staffing shortages at train operators, which could lead to further travel disruption.