Brits are set to travel 6.3 billion miles by car over the festive period, with seven in 10 people making at least one journey to visit friends, family or go on a Christmas holiday.
Research for Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, reveals that between 21 December – 2 January, the average Brit heading out in their car will make just over three trips (3.2) to see friends, family or set off on a Christmas break.
Over one million people will be making a massive 11 or more holiday journeys by car.
Those taking to the roads over Christmas and New Year will travel an average of 169 miles, although 2% (around 800,000 people) say they will travel more than 1,000 miles during the holidays.
Despite the huge mileage being covered by the nation’s drivers, over a third say they won’t make any checks on their vehicle before setting off.
Of those travelling to see friends or family or going on holiday by car, just over half (18.9m) will be staying over for at least one night.
Christmas Eve is going to be the busiest day for getaways, with one fifth (19%) of those heading off for overnight trips – some 3.5 million people – taking to the roads that day.
Those in the West Midlands are going to travel the furthest by car during the festive season, with an average of 227 miles to be travelled by those in the region.
Londoners will be going the second longest distance by car, with those heading out of the capital covering an average of 222 miles.
In contrast, Scots are staying closer to home during the holidays, with the average total distance travelled by those north of the border being just 126 miles.
The researchers found that of those travelling over 500 miles by road during the festive period, less than half (46%) said they would be checking their tyre pressures and only a third (34%) would check their tyre tread.
Fewer than two in five drivers are going to check their screen wash level (39%) with even fewer checking their oil level (37%) or coolant (27%).
One in six (17%) who are setting out on lengthy car trips (over 500 miles) say they will make none of the basic vehicle checks.
Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “Our research has shown that the vast majority of us will be taking to the roads at some point over the festive period, but worryingly, many drivers will not be ensuring that their car is prepared for the journey.
“Christmas Eve is going to be a very busy day on the roads, but most garages will be closed so we are encouraging motorists to check their car well in advance to make sure there are no unpleasant Christmas surprises.”
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