All drivers warned exact time to ‘avoid roads’ today for great Christmas getaway

Britain’s motorists have been warned to avoid taking to the roads between 9am and midday today (Friday, December 20) because that is the time at which the motorways will be busiest.

December 20th is considered by many experts this year to be the traffic trouble hotspot of the year as thousands of people take to the roads to drive home for Christmas. 

The claim was made by Saga car insurance who warned that 29 percent of respondents to their survey were planning to drive Friday December, 20th and Tuesday, December 24th.

In contrast, they suggested the best day and time to travel by car was between 6pm and 9pm on Monday, December 23rd when, they said, only five percent of Britons would be taking to the roads.

Saga car insurance aren’t the only ones to be issuing warnings about December 20th with Discover Cars‘ Aleksandr Buraks telling the Express that data from the AA had come to the same conclusion.

However, unlike Saga, Aleksandr said that Monday, December 23rd would also be a packed day for Britain’s highways and byways. He warned: “With the festive season in full swing, the roads can become much busier this time of year.”

He said: “According to data from the AA, the busiest day to be on the road this Christmas is expected to be Friday, December 20th, with an estimated 23.7 million drivers on the road. The second busiest days are set to be Saturday, December 21st and Monday, December 23rd, with an estimated 22.7 million taking to the roads on both days.”

As well as providing date based data, Aleksandr said they could also pinpoint which parts of which motorways would be most likely to leave drivers stationary for a prolonged periods of time.

These, he said, were mainly at interchanges and travel hubs such as those between the M4 and M5 and the M25 and Heathrow Airport.

“If you’re looking to avoid Christmas traffic jams as much as possible, you might want to avoid the following roads: M4/M5 interchange near Bristol, the M25 near Heathrow airport, and the M60 near the Trafford centre in Manchester are all predicted to be highly congested in the build up to Christmas,” cautioned Aleksandr.

As well as advising drivers on how make their journey as smooth as possible by informing them about traffic hotspots, experts have also been talking about ways drivers can improve their fuel economy and counter the impact of a fully loaded vehicle.

Motoring expert at BookMyGarage Drew Hickman told the Express: “Regularly servicing your engine, tyres, and filters is key to maintaining fuel efficiency during the winter months. An engine that’s in peak condition burns fuel more efficiently, and well-maintained tyres with good tread provide better grip, reducing resistance.”

Drew also recommended a gentle approach to speed bumps and the best rev range to keep your engine in to maximise mpg: “If you encounter speed bumps or rough patches, slow down and glide over them gently to prevent a spike in fuel consumption and reduce wear on the suspension.

“Shift to the appropriate gear for your speed and conditions, keeping RPMs between 1500 and 2500 for petrol engines. This balance saves fuel, especially in colder weather.”