The AA has issued a fresh warning to drivers over traffic jams this month amid the "busiest Christmas getaway on record".

The motoring organisation predicts that December 20 will be the busiest day on the roads during the festive period with an estimated 23.7 million drivers planning a trip.

This would make it the busiest Christmas getaway day of any year since the AA began recording data in 2010.

The joint second worst days for traffic jams over the 2024 festive period are expected to be Saturday, December 21 and Monday, December 23, each with 22.7 million drivers on the road.

So-called amber traffic jam warnings have been issued by the AA for all three days with the breakdown rescue company identifying several congestion hotspots.

AA issues traffic jam warning this month and reveals several congestion hotspots

These are the several congestion hotspots identified by the AA:

  • The M4/M5 interchange near Bristol
  • The M25 near Heathrow airport, west London
  • The M5/M6 interchange near Birmingham
  • The M60 near the Trafford Centre, Manchester
  • The M1 near Meadowhall, Sheffield

The AA said that with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, there could be more delays as many drive home from work (December 20) and others undertake some last-minute shopping.

Drivers are being advised to pack essentials such as warm clothing, food, water and a fully-charged phone in case their journey takes longer than expected.

Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, said: “The Ghost of Christmas Past shows that each year, avoidable breakdowns snowball into miles of queues on the roads.

“Drivers can maintain the Christmas cheer by performing basic checks on their car before any journey.

“This includes topping up the windscreen wash and anti-freeze, checking your lights and adjusting tyre pressures for a full load if necessary.

“With people driving fewer miles, it means there will be more localised congestion as record numbers head out on the roads this festive period.

“The best way to ensure hassle-free journeys is to plan them well.

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“Check the traffic reports before you leave and try to travel when it’s quieter if you can, or consider taking a different route to beat the jams.”

Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are expected to be the quietest days on the roads.

Although December 25 usually has the fewest breakdowns on any day in a year, the AA said it will still have patrols available nationwide.