For many of us, driving over the Christmas and New Year holiday period is unavoidable. Whether it's making your way home after working away, collecting last-minute supplies for the holiday or visiting friends and family, we have things to do and people to see.
We've compiled a few suggestions about how to complete your festive journeys without running into snags that could put a damper on your Christmas spirit. As is usual with these things, much of what follows is simply common sense.
It's winter
At least, here in the northern hemisphere it's winter. If you're reading this, we'll assume that you're not spending the holiday period south of the equator.
We should all routinely ensure that our cars are ready for the colder weather anyway, but at Christmas it's wise to be particularly sure of your preparations. In our recent article Are you and your car winter-ready? we covered the obvious precautions, such as:
- checking that you have plenty of fuel;
- checking that your tyres are in good order and safe for the conditions you may encounter;
- checking that all your car's fluids are topped up to the correct levels and that they're suitable for low temperatures;
- checking your brakes;
- checking your lights, heater and battery;
- making sure you take your phone and an in-car charger when you set out;
- keeping de-icer spray and an ice-scraper in the car;
- Dressing for the cold weather in case you have to leave the shelter of your car.
As well as preparing your car, you should also prepare yourself, especially if you have a long drive ahead. Make sure you have food and water to keep your blood sugar up and plan your journey to allow for breaks. Tiredness is a major contributor to accident statistics.
If the weather is bad, plan your route accordingly to avoid roads liable to flooding or roads that may become impassable due to snow. Let someone know the route you propose to take, and give an estimate of roughly when you expect to arrive at your destination.
Atypical traffic
Traffic is always a tad unpredictable. At holiday time it can become even more so. Certain days have a reputation for slow traffic and congestion as gift hunters descend on town centres and retail parks in a last-ditch panic. When planning a trip over the holiday period, bear in mind factors that can quickly change traffic patterns, such as:
- scheduled and ad hoc road closures and diversions;
- rail service interruptions;
- events such as Christmas fairs and markets;
- large retail sales and promotions;
- changes to toll roads, emission zones and congestion charges;
- suspension of parking charges in towns.
Example: Driving in London
People driving in London, for example, should be aware of changes to the following that may affect traffic patterns:
- The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is suspended for Christmas Day
- The Congestion Charge is suspended between Christmas Day and New Year's Day bank holiday (inclusive)
- There is no change to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which operates every day of the year, including Christmas and New Year.
Be aware of similar changes to charges and restricted zones in your own local cities and towns, and along your proposed route. Be prepared for possible additional traffic as drivers take advantage of suspended charges.
When to travel
Motor insurance website Cuvva.com has analysed traffic patterns in the years since the Covid pandemic and prepared some handy pointers regarding when, and when not to travel during the 2025/2026 Christmas and New Year period.
Potentially the worst times for seasonal traffic:
- Friday 19 December (AKA "Frantic Friday"), especially from 2pm onwards
- Saturday 20 December - Daytime
- Sunday 21 December - Daytime
- Wednesday 24 December - Daytime and early evening
- Friday 26 December, Boxing Day - Daytime and early evening
- Saturday 27 December - Daytime
- Sunday 28 December - Daytime
- Monday 29 December - Before 9am and after 5pm
Potentially the best times for seasonal traffic:
- Monday 22 December - Especially before the evening
- Tuesday 23 December - Especially before the evening
- Thursday 25 December - Before 10am
- Wednesday 31 December - Anytime
- Thursday 1 January - Anytime
Key days and times up to Christmas:
If you're travelling during the day then, for many journeys, December 23 may be the best day to drive home for Christmas. If you hope to get out and about on Christmas Day itself, then the best times may be before 10am and after 5pm.
Key days and times after Christmas
31 December (New Year's Eve) and 1 January (New Year’s Day) are usually the quietest days on the roads, with New Year's Day being the quietest overall, so a good time to travel.
The worst days to drive are expected to be December 26 (Boxing Day), and the weekend of Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December as people flock to big post-Christmas sales.
29 December means back to work for many, if not most working people. The usual congestion and rush hour chaos may be expected in the mornings and evenings, although perhaps not quite as manic as a normal week.
After that, for better or worse, things should return to what we call "normal".
Travel safely and have a great Christmas and New Year.
