Christmas traffic could be ‘worst in years’ as 23,700,000 journeys planned today

Millions of people will begin their holiday journeys today, with drivers warned this weekend ‘could be one of the busiest Christmas getaways in years’.

The worst traffic is expected on 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.

The RAC and transport analytics company Inrix said roads are likely to be busiest between 1pm and 7pm today and tomorrow.

Data from the companies forecast nearly 30 million journeys being made in the run-up to Christmas Day, with half of those set to be made this weekend.

RAC breakdown cover expert Rod Dennis said: ‘Our research shows it could be one of the busiest Christmas getaways that we’ve seen in years.’

National Highways said they will remove roadworks from 95% of the roads they manage in a bid ‘to help make journeys smoother’.