DRIVERS heading home for Christmas will cross paths with last-day commuters leading to ‘Frantic Friday’ on the roads this December 22, according to the RAC.

The breakdown company says they expect to see up to 1.25 million leisure journeys on top of those leaving work this Friday and is 'strongly urging' those planning long journeys to avoid the 'chaotic clash' if possible.

In total, as many as 11.5 million festive getaway trips are expected before Christmas Day with Christmas Eve another anticipated peak time for congestion.

The day before Christmas will see an expected 1.87 million separate leisure journeys made as families and friends make last-minute dashes to spend the big day together.

The Christmas Eve period between 10am and 2pm is set to be particularly busy, RAC Traffic Watch data suggests.

BUt there is some good news as Highways England has announced that 99% of England’s motorways and major A-roads will be free of roadworks during the busy festive run-in.

Rod Dennis, RAC traffic spokesman, said: “As always, the message to drivers is to plan ahead and try to avoid peak times if you can.

"Depending on where you live in the UK, schools have been breaking up since Friday 15 December so if you have a chance to complete your journey sooner than the end of next week then it might be a good idea to do that.

“Don’t let an avoidable breakdown get in the way of you reaching your destination this Christmas. A few moments now spent checking the condition of your car could save hours stuck in the dark.”

Factoring in trips to visit friends, widespread football fixtures and trips to hit the sales, Boxing Day is also likely to see a high concentration of traffic – with as many as 5.3 million separate journeys planned.