UK Traffic 24.12.11

Matblack · 18 Dec 2011 at 22:49

Quick question

I know no one knows for sure but does anyone have any reasonable predictions on traffic this Christmas Eve? I can't remember the last time Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday and obviously it's going to effect the roads, I have a long drive to do and I don't have any choice but to go on Christmas Eve (it's to see family for the holidays). My prediction is that it's something that most people will avoid of they can and hence it should be quiet-ish but I'd be interested in what other people think.

ShakenNstirred · 18 Dec 2011 at 23:02

i can see there being lots of traffic as its the last day to buy anything and there will be a lot in the same boat as you

Begbie · 18 Dec 2011 at 23:10

Same question here but Boxing day, Edinburgh to Oxford. Id imagine it will be pretty quiet though?

Matt82 · 18 Dec 2011 at 23:12

I did my fastest ever time from Cheshire to Southend on xmas eve. Roads were really clear

Booner! · 18 Dec 2011 at 23:16

*licks finger and puts it up in the wind*

I think traffic will be fine.

Rotty · 18 Dec 2011 at 23:37

will be deserted, slight risk passing big shopping centres in early part of day

MouthBoy · 18 Dec 2011 at 23:42

I am hoping its clear as I am doing 260mile round trip. I am also hoping there is minimal snow too as last year I almost missed Christmas as my car was completely snowed in.

Nickyyy · 19 Dec 2011 at 00:21

Depends what time of day I suppose, during the day I suspect a slightly higher than average usage of the roads, though in the morning and evening there would be less than average usuage, as no one has work to go to/go home from..

6thElement · 19 Dec 2011 at 04:33

I have a 300 mile drive, so I'm hoping it's quiet...

hurfdurf · 19 Dec 2011 at 05:59

Rotty said:
will be deserted, slight risk passing big shopping centres in early part of day

Skeeter · 19 Dec 2011 at 08:40

Normally Christmas Eve is quiet, but being a Saturday there is the potential for more people on the road driving somewhere for Christmas Day. I can't see it being any worse than a normal Saturday though?

Haggisman · 19 Dec 2011 at 09:14

Got a nice mission from B'ham to Carlisle on the 24th... luckily I'm on the North side anyway, so I can just jump straight on the M6.

My brother wanted me to pick him up from the centre though... no chance!!

yak.h'cir · 19 Dec 2011 at 09:36

Haggisman said:
My brother wanted me to pick him up from the centre though... no chance!!

Now that's the spirit of Christmas right there!!!

tom_nieto · 19 Dec 2011 at 09:36

Surely the worst time will be Friday evening?

Cosimo · 19 Dec 2011 at 09:41

It will be quiet, enjoy your drive.

d_brennen · 19 Dec 2011 at 09:47

This should go without saying but if you are having a drink the night before go easy on it, Christmas drink driving clamp downs etc

Rotty · 19 Dec 2011 at 09:53

Skeeter said:
Normally Christmas Eve is quiet, but being a Saturday there is the potential for more people on the road driving somewhere for Christmas Day. I can't see it being any worse than a normal Saturday though?

A lot of normal Staurday traffic is football traffic and there won't be any of that

Overlag · 19 Dec 2011 at 11:38

Begbie said:
Same question here but Boxing day, Edinburgh to Oxford. Id imagine it will be pretty quiet though?

boxing day around shopping centers will be mental because the UK population cant get enough of shopping, but the main strategic routes should be fine.

Haggisman · 19 Dec 2011 at 12:10

yak.h'cir said:
Now that's the spirit of Christmas right there!!!

4hrs for me to drive to New Street and back out (possibly an exaggeration, probably not

) or 15 mins for him to jump on a train to mine... I think I know which I'll be doing XD

Freefaller · 19 Dec 2011 at 12:14

Rotty said:
will be deserted, slight risk passing big shopping centres in early part of day

This has been my experience in the past... Problem is with living around SE London is that there are a lot of shopping centres which people access from the M25. It depends how early you want to leave I guess, being a saturday, most people will be chilling out at home I would have thought. I drove to France last year in the evening of Christmas Eve, got there with little fuss other than nearly 2ft of snow falling in NE France!