Drivers have been warned to expect severe delays on Britain’s roads this Christmas after the AA predicted record traffic over the festive season.

Friday 20 December is expected to be the busiest day over Christmas – with figures from the AA suggesting it will be the busiest Christmas getaway day of any year since the AA began recording data in 2010. Amber traffic warnings have been issued by the AA for three days leading up to Christmas Day.

More than half of journeys over the Christmas period are anticipated to be no more than 50 miles. The AA said Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday may help spread festive journeys this year, but could also mean more days of long delays as many people will embark on a getaway from work on 20 December followed by last-minute shopping trips and visits to friends and family.

Drivers are being advised to pack essentials such as warm clothing, food, water and a fully-charged phone in case their journey takes longer than expected.

Where are the busiest roads for Christmas travel?

With 23.7 million drivers expected to hit the roads on Friday 20 December, it marks the busiest day of not just this Christmas, but any Christmas since the AA began recording data 15 years ago.

The breakdown and recovery service has issued several amber traffic warnings ahead of the 2024 Christmas getaway.

Those warnings are in place for the following roads:

• M4/M5 interchange

• M3/M25 interchange

• M25 around Heathrow Airport

• M5/M6 interchange

• M6 J4-11 (M42-Wolverhampton)

• M27 J14-13 (Southampton to Portsmouth)

• M4 around Cardiff and Newport

• A38 in Somerset

• A34 Oxford to Newbury

The most common reason for travelling over the festive season is visiting family and friends, with around three-quarters driving home for Christmas and giving this as a reason for their trip, according to the AA.

The final weekend before Christmas is set to cause long queues on Britain’s roads, with some 22.7 million vehicles expected.

Amber traffic warnings are in place for the following roads:

More than half of journeys over the Christmas period are anticipated to be no more than 50 miles.

The joint second worst day for traffic jams over Christmas is expected to be on Monday 23 December, with 22.7 million drivers expected.

Monday marks the last standard weekday before Christmas Eve, putting pressure on the roads as workers finish for the holidays and set off for their breaks and getaways.

Amber traffic warnings are in place for the following roads:

• M1 J10-15a (Luton to Northampton)

• M42 J3A-J8 (M40 to M6 interchanges)

• A64 around York

• A303 around Stonehenge

• M5 J16-25 (Bristol to Taunton)

• A34 Oxford to Newbury

What is an amber traffic warning?

The AA has issued amber travel warnings for the three days over Christmas.

The first warnings were issued in July 2022 following record traffic at ports on the south coast of England to alert drivers to the severity of congestion.

Their analysis takes into consideration projected journeys, historical breakdown data and traffic flow information.

Amber warnings are issued to prepare drivers for forecasted congestion. The warnings are upgraded to red to alert drivers to live incidents.

At green, no warnings have been issued and traffic is at expected levels with minimal congestion and incidents.

How bad was it in 2023?

Amber warnings were also issued last Christmas – however the figures were considerably lower than what is expected this year.

The busiest day was 23 December, with 16.4 million trips – compared to the 23.7 million expected on the busiest day this year.

Amber warnings were also in place on 22 December for the 16.1 million car journeys.

What should you take in your car?

Breaking down or being delayed in long traffic jams is never an enjoyable experience, however in the colder months it is particularly important to make sure you have everything you need in the event of a hold up.

Chris Wood, AA patrol of the year, urged drivers to perform “basic checks” on their vehicles before setting off.

He said: “This includes topping up the windscreen wash and anti-freeze, checking your lights and adjusting tyre pressures for a full load if necessary.”

Edmund King, AA president, added that checks should be made on whether you have enough fuel or EV range as well as oil levels.

In the event of being stuck in the cold, it is particularly important to keep warm – especially if you have elderly passengers or young children in the vehicle with you.

You should ensure you have bottles of water, high protein food or chocolate, warm clothes, coats and a hi-viz jacket if you need to attract attention in the event of a breakdown.