The Christmas getaway may not be smooth sailing this year(Picture: Metro Graphics)

Roads and public transport are always busy in the days before and after Christmas and new year, as people make their way to spend the festive season with their loved ones.

But drivers planning to use some of our busiest motorways could face even more delays.

Traffic congestion is set to peak on Friday, with National Highways removing more than 1,000 miles of roadworks this week to try and make journeys smoother.

The RAC say getaway traffic will jump from 2.2 million trips on Thursday to 3.2 million on Friday – the last working day before Christmas.

And 13.5 million car journeys are expected between Friday and Saturday – an increase of 20% on the same time last year.

Traffic analysis company Inrix has warned there are likely to be ‘daily delays of around 40 minutes’ on Friday and Saturday on the clockwise carriageway of the M25.

Caption: METRO GRAPHICSChristmas Road Map M25
Provider: Metro.co.uk(Credits: Created with Datawrapper)

Plus, anti-clockwise drivers between junctions 17 for Rickmansworth and junction 12 for the M3 are also warned to prepare for hold-ups.

Heading away from the capital, drivers planning to use the M1 and M6 have also been warned to prepare for hold-ups.

The M1 is predicted to be congested on the stretch north of Woburn in Bedfordshire to Daventry in Northamptonshire.

Meanwhile M6 drivers can expect to see delays between Wigan and Stafford.

Drivers are being advised to set out before 11am or after 6pm to reduce the risk of getting stuck in congestion – and the 12-2pm period is expected to the busiest time of day.

RAC spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: ‘Strong winds will make many Christmas getaway trips more challenging this week, especially those made in the north of the UK.

‘Drivers will need to be on high alert for fallen branches, and even trees, along with other debris as they head to and from motorways and major roads.

‘While windy conditions tend not to cause a spike in breakdown volumes, going over debris can lead to more punctures and other, more serious damage to vehicles.

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‘Drivers need to be very conscious of the buffeting effect of high winds, particularly in exposed areas.

‘High-sided vehicles are obviously at risk of being blown off course, but car drivers can also be affected as they pass lorries on the motorway and then are suddenly hit by gusts on the other side.

‘The best advice is to always keep two hands on the wheel and be even more aware of the vehicles around you.’

And while we’re not likely to see significant amounts of snow in the coming days, the Met Office says we’ll probably have a white Christmas this year, so drivers are also being encouraged to make sure their car is snow and winter ready.

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Drivers planning to use some of our busiest motorways could face even more delays.