Christmas is a magical time, but it’s also one of the busiest periods for road travel. With millions of people heading to see family and friends, roads across the UK experience heightened congestion, especially on major routes. Combine this with adverse winter weather, and the journey can quickly become stressful. However, with careful planning and the right tools, you can minimise delays and make your trip as smooth as possible. In this guide, we’ll cover the key roads to avoid this Christmas, tips for using navigation apps effectively, driving safely in winter conditions, and much more. If you need to hire a car for this festive season we have got you covered.

Table of Contents

• Using Waze and Google Maps for Real-Time Updates
• Roads to Avoid This Christmas
• Expected Delays Based on 2023 Reports
• Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions
• Pre-Journey Car Preparation
• Key Takeaways from 2023
• New Driving Rules for Christmas 2024: 20mph Speed Limits and Low-Emission Zones

Using Waze and Google Maps for Real-Time Updates

During the festive season, real-time traffic updates are invaluable for avoiding delays and road closures. Two of the most popular apps, Waze and Google Maps, offer essential features for navigating busy roads during Christmas.

• Waze uses crowd-sourced data to alert you to traffic jams, accidents, roadworks, and speed traps. Its community-based reporting system means that users get live updates from other drivers on the road, allowing you to make smarter decisions about your route.
• Google Maps provides live traffic updates, re-routing you when delays occur and offering alternative routes to your destination. It also highlights key points of interest, which can be useful when travelling through unfamiliar areas.

Here are some practical tips for getting the most out of these apps:

• Customise your route: Both Waze and Google Maps allow you to customise your route to avoid toll roads, motorways, or areas known for heavy congestion.
• Enable alerts: Make sure you enable notifications for accidents, hazards, or delays ahead.
• Offline access: For rural areas or locations with poor reception, download your maps in advance using Google Maps’ offline feature.

Roads to Avoid This Christmas

Each Christmas, certain roads across the UK see significant traffic congestion. Understanding which roads to avoid can help you plan a smoother journey. Based on past trends and predictions for 2024, here are the top roads likely to face heavy traffic:

• M25 (London Orbital Motorway): The busiest motorway in the UK, the M25 frequently experiences congestion, particularly around major junctions like Heathrow Airport and the Dartford Crossing.
• M6 (Midlands to North-West): Running through Birmingham and connecting the Midlands to the North-West, the M6 is a key route that’s likely to see bottlenecks, especially between junctions 10-12.
• A303 (Stonehenge Section): Popular with travellers heading towards the South-West, the A303 often suffers from delays near the Stonehenge section, where traffic slows due to sightseers and ongoing roadworks.

To minimise delays, consider using alternative routes where possible, or travel during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings. Real-time traffic data from National Highways can help you stay updated on road conditions​.

Predicted worst delays:

Friday 16^th December – UK’s most delayed routes, average journey times and suggested alternative routes

Read all about the worst festive days to travel based on previous years information and in the tables below. 

Tuesday 20^th December – UK’s most delayed routes, average journey times and suggested alternative routes

Read all about the worst festive days to travel based on previous years information and in the tables below. 

Expected Delays Based on 2023 Reports and Mid-Week Christmas Impact

In 2023, Fleet News reported severe congestion peaking on the Friday before Christmas, with significant delays on major routes such as the M1, M6, and A1. This year, with Christmas falling in the middle of the week on a Wednesday, traffic patterns are likely to change. Mid-week holidays tend to spread travel times across several days, potentially reducing the intense congestion seen over a single weekend.

However, this mid-week timing brings its own challenges:

• Two periods of peak traffic: With Christmas on a Wednesday, you can expect two waves of peak traffic—one in the early part of the week (Monday and Tuesday) as people set off for their holiday destinations, and a second peak as people return home on Thursday and Friday.
• Mid-week commutes: Regular weekday commuters will add to the congestion on key motorways, especially on Christmas Eve, as those still working will be sharing the road with early holiday travellers. Roads like the M1, M6, and M25 are expected to see increased traffic during morning and evening rush hours.
• Potential for prolonged delays: The spread-out nature of mid-week travel may reduce extreme peaks, but it could result in prolonged periods of moderate congestion across several days rather than a single day of intense traffic.

To avoid being caught in these delays, consider setting off early on your travel day, or opt for travel in the late evening to avoid rush hour traffic. Keep an eye on real-time traffic updates from apps like Waze and Google Maps to stay informed and adjust your route accordingly.

For more specific predictions, you can check updated travel forecasts from the AA’s traffic news or RACs traffic news​, as they will provide detailed insights into traffic patterns as they happen, for Christmas 2024.

Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions

Christmas doesn’t just bring traffic—winter weather conditions can make driving far more dangerous. Snow, fog, and ice all create hazardous conditions, so it’s important to be prepared and know how to handle these situations.

• Driving in snow or ice: Slippery roads reduce your tyre's grip, so drive slowly and brake gently to avoid skidding. It’s essential to maintain a greater distance between you and the car in front—aim for at least a three-car gap. If you’re travelling to areas where snow is common, consider fitting winter tyres or carrying snow chains.
• Driving in fog: Fog reduces visibility, so always use your fog lights when visibility is less than 100 metres. Avoid tailgating, as reduced visibility makes it harder to judge distances. Keep your windscreen clean to reduce glare, and reduce your speed accordingly.
• Dealing with icy roads: In freezing conditions, even roads that appear clear may have black ice. Slow down, avoid sudden movements, and brake softly to maintain control of your vehicle.

For more detailed advice, the Highway Code’s Guide on Driving in Winter Conditions offers comprehensive safety tips​.

Pre-Journey Car Preparation

Before setting out on your Christmas travels, ensure your car is fully prepared for winter conditions. Proper maintenance can help prevent breakdowns and keep you safe on the road.

• Check your tyres: Ensure your tyres have adequate tread depth (we recommend at least 3mm for winter driving) and are properly inflated. Consider switching to winter tyres if you’ll be driving in areas prone to snow and ice.
• Top up fluids: Make sure your windscreen washer fluid is full and that you’re using one designed for cold temperatures. Check the coolant and ensure your antifreeze levels are sufficient to prevent your windscreen cleaner from freezing.
• Battery and electrics: Cold weather can take a toll on car batteries, so ensure your battery is fully charged and that all lights—headlights, brake lights, and fog lights—are functioning correctly.
• Pack an emergency kit: Include essentials like blankets, a first aid kit, torch, de-icer, and a portable phone charger. It’s also worth carrying some food and water in case of long delays.

A well-prepared car can make all the difference between a smooth trip and a frustrating breakdown. Not sure your vehicle has what it takes, you can browse our latest used cars for sale and sell your car to us also, we often offer more than the car supermarkets or main dealers on your vehicle.

Key Takeaways from 2023

Reflecting on Christmas travel in 2023, it's clear that planning ahead is key to avoiding delays. Last year, millions of drivers were caught in gridlock due to a combination of heavy traffic, adverse weather, and poorly maintained vehicles. By preparing your car, using real-time traffic updates, and staying alert to changing road conditions, you can reduce the stress of travelling this Christmas.

Statistics from 2023 show that travel on major motorways like the M25, M1, and M6 reached peak congestion during the middle of the day, leading to long delays. Lessons from 2023 include the importance of leaving early or late, checking the weather before setting off, and using technology to avoid road closures or accidents.

Stay updated on travel conditions and take lessons from previous years into account to ensure your journey goes smoothly this Christmas. For more travel insights and tips, visit BBC’s Christmas travel page.

New Driving Rules for Christmas 2024: 20mph Speed Limits and Low-Emission Zones

This year, drivers heading through Wales need to be mindful of new speed restrictions. From September 2023, a 20mph speed limit has been enforced on most residential and built-up roads, replacing the previous 30mph. This limit applies to roads with street lighting spaced no more than 200 yards apart and is designed to improve road safety in areas with high pedestrian activity​. Make sure to account for this change, as driving through towns and villages at 20mph may slow down your travel time.

• Enforcement: Speed cameras and police officers are actively monitoring compliance, with penalties for those caught speeding. Drivers should take extra care and plan for longer journey times when travelling through Welsh towns this Christmas, for more information check out the full article on the BBCs website.

In addition to the 20mph speed limit in Wales, drivers also need to be aware of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) across several major UK cities. These zones aim to reduce pollution by charging vehicles that don’t meet emission standards:

• London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ): The London ULEZ has been expanded to cover all London boroughs, impacting drivers of older, non-compliant vehicles. For more information on how this could affect your Christmas travel, check out our dedicated blog on the London Emission Zone.
• Birmingham Clean Air Zone: This applies to vehicles that don’t meet Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) emission standards. You can find more details about Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone here.
• Other Cities with Emission Zones: Several other cities, including Bath, Portsmouth, Oxford, and Glasgow, have introduced Clean Air Zones or Low Emission Zones. Each city has its own rules and fees, so it’s crucial to check your vehicle’s compliance before travelling through these areas. More information on these areas check out the governments website.

Make sure you check your route ahead of time and review your vehicle’s emissions status if you're planning to pass through any of these zones during your Christmas travels. Failure to comply could lead to significant fines, adding unnecessary delays and costs to your trip.

For more information on specific zones, you can refer to the city's respective pages.