Drivers have been warned of long queues as millions hit the streets ahead of the Christmas weekend.
The AA says Friday will be the busiest day on the roads this week with an estimated 16.9 million journeys made across the UK.
More than 16.6 million are expected to be made on Christmas Eve.
Congestion will be exacerbated by thousands of members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union going on strike at Network Rail, causing train services to end around 3pm on Saturday. .
Air travelers have also been warned to prepare for delays as Border Force workers will also go on strike on Friday.
According to the RAC, the roads will be busiest between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, the last business day before Christmas.
Traffic road Most likely to be affected by congestion include the M25, the M60 near Manchester, the M6 in north-west England and the M40 in Oxfordshire.
Transportation analytics firm Inrix expects journey times to be about 14% longer than in the same period last year.
National Highways says nearly 98% of Britain’s major motorways and A-roads will be fully open by the end of January 2 as the country completes and dismantles road works.
Jack Cousens, AA’s head of road policy said: “We are advising motorists to be prepared for some congested situations, particularly on popular routes heading out of London. .
“Railway strikes have convinced more people to travel by car this year, and while hundreds of miles of road works have been lifted to ease the pain, it may not be enough to stop block the queue.”
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said there will be “two days of frenzy right before Christmas”.
Inrix transport analyst Bob Pishue said: “With tourists hitting the roads this holiday before the pandemic, drivers have to brace for delays – especially is in and around major cities.”
