Motorists have been warned they could face the most congested Christmas getaway in British history, with millions expected to take to the roads and long delays likely across much of the country.
It comes after the AA has issued an Amber Traffic Warning ahead of the festive period, after new research suggested traffic levels will reach unprecedented highs.
A survey of more than 10,000 drivers carried out by the breakdown organisation showed Friday, December 19, as the busiest day to travel, with around 24.4 million vehicles on UK roads.
Some 72 per cent of drivers questioned said they plan to travel that day.
The AA explained how a mix of Christmas parties, family visits and last-minute shopping trips will put huge pressure on the road network.
Shaun Jones, AA expert patrol, said: "Our advice is simple: plan ahead, check your route, and allow extra time."
Traffic volumes are expected to remain extremely high in the days that follow, with around 23.7 million cars forecasted to be on the roads on Saturday, December 20, while Sunday, December 21, could see roughly 22.4 million vehicles travelling.
There is little sign of relief as Christmas week begins with both Monday and Tuesday, December 22 and 23, predicted to attract close to 24 million cars each day.
Although traffic is anticipated to ease slightly on Christmas Eve, the AA still expects 22.7 million journeys to be made.
Christmas Day itself will be the quietest period, but even then, around 18.3 million vehicles are anticipated to be in use.
Travel chaos is expected across the country as Britons make their festive journeys | PAThe sustained pressure is being driven by festive routines, with AA research showing 49 per cent of drivers plan to make shopping trips during the period, while 59 per cent will be travelling to see family and friends.
For the second-year running, most motorists said they are planning shorter journeys, with the majority travelling less than 50 miles.
This is expected to worsen congestion around retail parks, town centres and motorway junctions, rather than on long-distance routes.
Fewer than five per cent of drivers expect to travel more than 100 miles on any day before Christmas, with even fewer planning journeys over 200 miles.
The AA has highlighted several congestion hotspots likely to suffer major delays.
These include the M60 near Manchester's Trafford Centre, the M1 around Meadowhall in Sheffield, as well as the M25 near Bluewater in Kent and Heathrow Airport.
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The M60 near Manchester's Trafford Centre is expected to experience serious congestion this week
| GETTYOther key traffic zones include the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the M4 around Cardiff and Newport, experts explained.
Meanwhile, drivers on the south coast have been warned of further disruption due to a major motorway closure taking place.
The M27 will be shut in both directions between Junction 9 at Whiteley and Junction 11 near Fareham from 8pm on Christmas Eve until 4am on 4 January.
The closure is needed for major works at Junction 10 and will force traffic onto a signed diversion route via the A27. Delays are expected daily between 10am and 4pm.
Motorists are also being warned of long traffic delays this Friday as millions look to travel
| PAHampshire County Council has also urged drivers to avoid peak travel times, consider public transport such as trains, buses and ferries, and allow extra journey time.
It has advised motorists to consider alternative routes entirely during the 10-day closure.
Mr Jones warned drivers to prepare carefully, saying: "With more than 24 million cars forecast on the roads on Friday, December 19, it's beginning to look a lot like traffic."
"Pack essentials, keep your tank or EV charge topped up, and don't let congestion steal your Christmas sparkle."