As schools, factories and offices close for the festive fortnight, the RAC is predicting worse traffic than last year.
It is advising motorists to avoid travelling on Friday afternoon and early evening with an after-work rush expected to trigger a meltdown on the roads with hour-long jams expected.
The dash to join family and friends for the four-day holiday weekend will also clog major routes on Saturday.
The motoring organisation said the worst hotspots will be the M25 and M4 near Heathrow, the M4 north of Newbury, Berkshire, the M62 near Warrington, Cheshire, the M5 near Avonmouth and the M6 in Cumbria.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said: "Friday's clash of getaway leisure traffic, commuters finishing work and business vehicles will make it one of the worst days on the roads over Christmas.
This story is from the December 17, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 17, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Queen hails 'wonderful' hospital for seriously ill children
THE Queen has praised nurses at Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity for the \"wonderful work\" they do looking after seriously ill children.
Akshata: My mission to open up Number 10
RISHI Sunak’s wife says that curious children have asked her if she has “a chandelier” or even some “gold taps” in No10.
TOP GUNS ARE STILL FIRING!
Rice rifles home the cherry on cake for Arteta's leaders
'Cut migration and build homes to solve rent crisis'
THE cost of renting a home in England has hit a \"crisis point\" but the solution is \"blindingly obvious\", according to former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick.
The day I found a Cave in the Sun!
JASMINE Harman once found a holiday home in Spain at a rock-bottom price of £14,000 but it was in a cave.
How China is 'guiding' Iran's deadly new drones
IRAN's new kamikaze drones contain Chinese guidance systems, Ministry of Defence scientists have found.
Cleese: I've never met a German offended by goose-stepping Fawlty
JOHN Cleese says he has never met a German who was offended by Basil Fawlty repeatedly mentioning the Second World War and goosestepping around a room.
Star Trek's 3ft TV space ship returns home
THE first model of the USS Enterprise used in the opening credits of the original Star Trek TV show has boldly arrived back home – after being lost for almost half a century.
Just £6,000 for a posh bag of chips
CHEAP as chips is not a description everyone would apply to this fast food-themed handbag – as the accessory costs almost £6,000.
Trump 'won't join breakaway tour'
JUDD TRUMP has revealed he has turned down an approach from a rival tour.