UK motorists were urged to brace for lengthy Boxing Day queues on December 26, 2025, as motoring organizations warned that nearly 20 million car journeys would take place across the country.

With heavy traffic forecast on key arteries including the M25, M40, M1 and M6, and a strategically important stretch of the M27 fully closed until early January, drivers setting out for family visits, shopping trips and festive getaways were advised to expect delays and to plan their journeys with unusual care.

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Nationwide surge as nearly 20 million Boxing Day trips begin

The AA estimated that around 19.7 million car journeys would be made on Boxing Day, making it one of the busiest dates of the festive period for the UK road network.

The surge follows a quieter Christmas Day, when many motorists remained at home, and precedes an even busier Saturday, when traffic volumes are expected to climb to about 22 million trips as people return from breaks or head out for New Year gatherings.

Survey data from more than 10,000 AA members suggests that visiting family and friends remains the primary driver of festive travel demand, accounting for roughly 60 to 63 percent of planned journeys in the 11 days from Christmas through January 5.

Shopping trips for post-Christmas sales are the second-biggest factor, cited by around half of respondents, with work-related travel representing close to a third of planned outings.

While some motorists will undertake long cross-country drives, most Boxing Day trips are relatively short. Almost half of surveyed drivers said their journeys would be 50 miles or less, underscoring how local and regional movements can still combine to create intense pressure on an already busy network.

The overall pattern means that congestion is not confined to a handful of national corridors. Instead, urban ring roads, retail parks, routes to major sporting fixtures and tourist destinations are all expected to see queues, particularly during the late morning and afternoon peak.

Motorway hotspots from M25 to M6 under heavy pressure

Traffic analytics supplied to motoring groups pointed to a series of specific stretches where delays were forecast to be most severe. On the M25, which encircles London and connects major radial routes, the clockwise stretch from Junction 7 (linking to the M23) to Junction 16 (M40 interchange), and the anti-clockwise section from Junction 17 to Junction 12 (M3 interchange), were both highlighted as likely hotspots as regional and long-distance flows intersect.

The M40 corridor itself was also expected to be busy, particularly northbound between Junction 8A, near Oxford, and Junction 10. This route is a key link between London, the Midlands and further north, and is often used as an alternative to the more congested M1 and M6.

With Boxing Day leisure traffic added to regular flows of freight and business vehicles, journeys here risked becoming significantly longer than usual, especially at peak times.

On the M1, southbound traffic between Junction 16 and Junction 6 was expected to suffer pronounced slowdowns, reflecting a mix of returning holidaymakers and shoppers heading towards urban centers and retail outlets in the East Midlands and around Greater London.

A serious collision on the southbound M1 in Derbyshire on Boxing Day morning temporarily shut all lanes between Junctions 29 and 28, further compounding delays in one of the already-busiest parts of the motorway.

Further west, the M6 northbound between Junction 5, near Sutton Coldfield, and Junction 10A, where the motorway meets the M54 towards Shropshire and mid-Wales, was identified as a potential congestion hotspot.

This stretch is a vital spine through the West Midlands, linking Birmingham’s conurbation with destinations across northern England and Scotland. On a day when many travellers are returning from family gatherings or setting out for short breaks, any incident or breakdown along this route risks triggering long tailbacks.

M27 closure creates a major pinch point for the south coast

Compounding the Boxing Day strain is a planned full closure of the M27 between Junctions 9 and 11, affecting a key east-west link between Southampton and Portsmouth.

The closure, which began at 8 p.m. on December 24 and is scheduled to last until 4 a.m. on January 4, is part of a major infrastructure project that involves sliding a pre-built underpass into place beneath the motorway as part of a new interchange serving the future Welborne Garden Village near Fareham.

During the shutdown, all traffic is being diverted onto the parallel A27 and nearby local roads, concentrating large volumes of vehicles through communities already accustomed to busy conditions. Authorities have warned of stop-start traffic and long queues in both directions, particularly at traditional holiday pinch points, service areas and junctions leading to retail parks and coastal resorts.

Engineers have scheduled the work for what is typically a slightly quieter period on the road network, banking on reduced commuter flows to offset the impact of seasonal leisure travel. Even so, the exceptional closure of a major motorway for 10 consecutive days means many drivers along the south coast are facing significantly longer travel times throughout the festive break.

For holidaymakers heading to and from ferry ports serving the Channel Islands and France, or making coastal trips between Dorset, Hampshire and West Sussex, the closure of the M27 has forced substantial detours. Local councils and National Highways have urged drivers to check diversion maps before setting out, allow extra time and consider rescheduling non-essential journeys until the motorway reopens in early January.

Rail disruption pushes more travellers onto the roads

Boxing Day road congestion is being intensified by limited public transport options. As is customary, there are no mainline rail services operating across most of Great Britain on December 26, with only a handful of local or airport-linked routes available in certain areas.

Engineering projects on key stretches of the West Coast Main Line and other major routes, running from the days before Christmas into early January, are also restricting services and diverting trains.

Over the festive period, this means that travellers who might otherwise rely on rail to move between major cities are being nudged onto the road network instead, either in private cars or long-distance coaches that must compete for road space with regular traffic.

London Waterloo, one of the country’s busiest rail hubs, has faced multi-day closures and reduced timetables around Boxing Day, further squeezing capacity for journeys into and out of the capital.

In Scotland and northern England, engineering work on lines linking Glasgow, the Highlands and the central belt is also disrupting rail movements, making road travel the default option for many domestic tourists and those visiting family.

With around 95 percent of Britain’s railways technically open but subject to targeted closures and diversions, passengers are having to plan complex journeys and, in some cases, abandon rail altogether in favor of driving.

For motorists, the practical result is that more vehicles are sharing the same corridors at the same time. Combined with the closure of the M27 and existing urban bottlenecks around shopping centers and stadiums hosting Boxing Day fixtures, this confluence of factors is delivering a perfect storm of congestion on some of the UK’s most heavily used routes.

Peak times, regional patterns and how drivers are adapting

Transport data from recent years, combined with motoring organizations’ modeling for 2025, suggests that Boxing Day road traffic typically peaks from late morning through early evening.

For this year, drivers were cautioned that the most intense congestion was expected between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with the busiest period likely clustering around lunchtime and mid-afternoon as day trips overlap with longer north-south and east-west movements.

In and around London, the combination of returning holiday traffic, trips to suburban shopping centers and visitors converging on central attractions is likely to make both the M25 and inner-city orbital routes slow going. In the Midlands, flows along the M6, M42 and feeder A-roads are predicted to be heavy as drivers navigate between Birmingham, Coventry, the Black Country and neighbouring counties.

In northern England and Scotland, where distances between major cities are greater, the emphasis is on longer trips that can be vulnerable to cumulative delays.

Journeys linking Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh are all likely to be slower than usual, particularly where motorway upgrades or weather conditions impose additional constraints. Coastal and rural destinations, from the Lake District to the Highlands, are also receiving an influx of visitors taking advantage of the holiday window.

Faced with these forecasts, many drivers are adjusting their plans, setting off earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the worst of the queues. Others are opting for more local outings, using back roads, or postponing non-essential travel until New Year’s Day, which is traditionally the quietest on the roads in the entire festive calendar.

Safety, breakdowns and preparation in holiday conditions

Alongside warnings about congestion, the AA and RAC are urging motorists to focus on vehicle readiness and safety. Breakdown callouts tend to rise sharply as traffic volumes increase, not only because of mechanical failures but also due to minor collisions in slow-moving or stop-start traffic.

Patrols are advising drivers to carry out basic checks on tyres, battery health, engine oil, coolant, screenwash and fuel levels before setting out, particularly for longer journeys.

Weather remains an important variable. While the UK has so far avoided the most severe winter conditions in some regions this season, the combination of low temperatures, wet surfaces and heavier traffic can still produce treacherous driving environments. Surface water, patches of ice and sudden braking in congested conditions increase the risk of shunts and more serious incidents, especially on high-speed roads.

National Highways has lifted more than 90 percent of planned roadworks on its motorways and major A-roads in England for the core festive travel window, aiming to reduce the impact of lane closures and contraflows. However, the continuing M27 project and a handful of essential schemes mean some constrictions remain unavoidable.

Drivers are being advised to pay close attention to temporary speed limits, signage and lane markings, which may differ from familiar patterns on well-known routes.

Emergency services and traffic officers are on heightened alert over the period, with resources targeted at known hotspots and major interchanges. Motorists who do experience difficulties are encouraged to move their vehicles to a safe location where possible, use hazard lights and reflective equipment, and contact their breakdown provider or emergency services as appropriate.

What this means for travellers in the days ahead

While Boxing Day itself is shaping up to be one of the most congested dates on the calendar, travel challenges are set to continue for several days. After a dip in traffic on New Year’s Day, when around 18 million car journeys are expected, forecasts suggest that volumes will rise quickly as work and school commitments resume. By January 2, around 20.7 million trips are anticipated, climbing to 22 million by January 5.

For domestic tourists and international visitors alike, the implications are clear. Any journey that intersects with major corridors such as the M25, M1, M6, M4, M5 or the constrained section of the M27 is vulnerable to delay, particularly at busy times of day.

Travellers are being strongly advised to build flexibility into their plans, allow generous buffers for connections such as flights or ferry departures, and keep abreast of live traffic updates via radio, in-car systems or apps.

In cities, local authorities are also encouraging the use of park-and-ride schemes, buses and active travel options where available, both to alleviate pressure on key radial roads and to make it easier for visitors to access busy retail and leisure districts.

Where rail services are operating, passengers are urged to check timetables carefully in light of ongoing engineering work, and to have contingency plans in place in case of disruption.

Motoring groups emphasize that, despite the headlines about gridlock, many journeys will still run relatively smoothly, particularly for those who travel outside the core 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. window, avoid known hotspots and ensure their vehicles are in good working order. Nevertheless, for millions of drivers venturing out on December 26 and beyond, patience and preparation will be key attributes behind the wheel.

FAQ

Q1. How many car journeys are expected on Boxing Day 2025 in the UK?
Approximately 19.7 million car journeys are expected across the UK on Boxing Day 2025, according to estimates from the AA.

Q2. Which roads are predicted to be the most congested?
Major hotspots include sections of the M25, particularly between key junctions linking to the M23, M3 and M40, as well as the M40 northbound between Junctions 8A and 10, the M1 southbound between Junctions 16 and 6, and the M6 northbound between Junctions 5 and 10A.

Q3. Why is the M27 closure such a big issue for Boxing Day travel?
The M27 is a critical east-west route along England’s south coast, linking Southampton and Portsmouth. Its full closure between Junctions 9 and 11 until early January forces all traffic onto diversion routes, significantly increasing congestion on the A27 and surrounding local roads.

Q4. What are the busiest times of day to drive on Boxing Day?
Traffic levels are expected to be highest between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., with the most intense congestion likely around lunchtime and mid-afternoon. Drivers are advised to travel outside these hours where possible.

Q5. How are rail disruptions affecting road traffic?
With almost no mainline trains running on Boxing Day and extensive engineering works on key routes before and after the holiday, many travellers who would normally use rail are instead driving, adding further pressure to the road network.

Q6. What is causing most people to travel by car during the festive period?
Survey data from AA members indicates that visiting family and friends is the main reason for festive car journeys, followed by shopping trips and, to a lesser extent, work-related travel.

Q7. Are there any quieter days for driving over the holidays?
New Year’s Day is typically the quietest day on the roads during the festive season, with around 18 million car journeys expected, fewer than on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

Q8. What can drivers do to reduce the risk of breakdowns and delays?
Motorists are encouraged to carry out basic vehicle checks before travelling, including tyre pressures, battery condition, oil and coolant levels, screenwash and fuel. Allowing extra time, planning alternative routes and avoiding peak hours can also reduce stress and delays.

Q9. How long will the M27 remain closed?
The M27 between Junctions 9 and 11 is scheduled to remain closed in both directions until around 4 a.m. on January 4, as engineers complete major works to install a new underpass and rebuild the carriageway.

Q10. Is it still worth making a trip by car given the congestion warnings?
Many journeys will still be manageable, especially for those who travel early or late in the day, avoid known bottlenecks and stay informed about live traffic conditions. However, drivers should be prepared for delays, consider whether their trips are essential and adjust plans where necessary.