Driving Home for Christmas: Friday 19th December set to be the UK’s busiest travel day

As the festive season approaches, millions of Brits are preparing to hit the road to spend Christmas with loved ones, and Friday 19th December is due to be the nation’s busiest travel day according to new research.*

Data from Go.Compare car insurance reveals that roughly 3 in 10 (30%) of those making a festive journey this Christmas will take to the road on this date.

Early morning and the afternoon will be the peak times, according to the research. In total, 7% of those making a Christmas journey are planning to get up early and travel between 6am and 9am on this date. A further 7% plan to leave between 9am and 12pm and 8% expect to be on the road between 12pm and 4pm. The evening will be the quietest time on this date, with just 3% stating they intend to travel after 6pm.

Those aged between 25-34 are most likely to hit the roads on December 19th, with 43% of this age group stating they’ll travel on this date, followed by those aged between 18-24 (36%) and 35-44 year-olds (31%).

Surprisingly, Christmas Day itself ranks as the second most popular travel day, with 11% of motorists planning to set off between 9:01am and noon on the big day. Christmas Eve comes in third, when 15% will be making their festive journey.

Most popular days to travel this Christmas: 

Tom Banks, Go.Compare car insurance expert, advises that with so many heading onto the roads, preparing both your car and yourself for the journey is more important than ever.

He said: “For those hitting the roads this Christmas, driving can be particularly challenging. Unpredictable weather and increased traffic mean motorists need to be extra vigilant.

“If you’re planning a longer journey, it’s wise to prepare your car with essentials such as water, warm clothing, blankets, a torch, and some high-energy snacks. These can be invaluable if you find yourself stuck in traffic or broken down.

“While it’s easy to focus on loading your car with gifts and luggage, it’s equally important to make sure your vehicle is in good condition before setting off. Checking your car’s readiness for the journey not only helps prevent breakdowns but also provides peace of mind when navigating busy roads.”

Go.Compare has put together a car maintenance checklist to run through ahead of your trip, including:

Check the vitals: Ensure your screen wash, brake fluid, oil and bulbs are all working and not running on empty. It’s also worth making sure your breakdown cover is still valid and up to date, should the unfortunate happen.

Check your tyres: Make sure your tyres have at least the legal tread limit - 1.6mm for cars, although at least 3mm is recommended in wet weather - and that they're inflated to the level specified in your car's handbook.

Switch on radio traffic alerts: Turning on radio alerts can keep you updated while you’re on the move, so you won’t need to pull over and check your mobile phone.

For more tips and advice on driving in winter, visit Go.Compare’s website: https://www.gocompare.com/motoring/guides/winter-driving-guide/