Summer getaway hell warning with 21MILLION drivers hitting roads from today – check map of Britain's busiest motorways
With most UK schools set to break up for the summer today, July 23, many parents will be gearing up to take the kids on UK breaks or trips abroad.
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Cramming all of your luggage into the car and keeping the kids entertained for hours on end can be a nightmare for mums and dads.
And this is only exacerbated when your vehicle is crawling in a seemingly never-ending stream of traffic.
Approximately 21 million drivers are thought to be hitting the motorways from today, until the end of the school holidays, on August 29.
If you're keen for a road trip over the next few weeks, but want to avoid gridlock, Welcome Break has revealed which of the UK's motorways will be the busiest this summer.
1. M11 in London/Hertfordshire
The M11 is a major motorway used by millions of motorists travelling to and from the East of England.
It is a popular route for those jetting off from Stanstead airport, however you may want to consider getting the train instead, as this has been named the UK's busiest motorway.
2. M40, Oxfordshire
Second on the list is the M40, in Oxfordshire, which families may use to travel through the countryside between London and Birmingham.
It's a handy route, but you might want to think of an alternative to avoid being stuck in traffic.
3. M43, Hampshire
In fourth place is the M3, which stretches across the south-west of England.
Brits commonly use the motorway to travel to seaside spots along the south coast.
Moment wrong-way driver flies down motorway into traffic for FIVE MILES
4. M40, Warwickshire
Taking the fourth spot is the M40, in Warwickshire which is a popular route for those driving down to the Cotswolds for a scenic break.
Motorists might prefer taking a more scenic route though, to avoid gridlock.
5. M25, Home Counties
Finally, the M25, which loops its way around London, is fifth on the list.
The road is used by Londoners flocking out of the city for the summer, and tourists flooding in to the city, but any drivers using this route should be warned of huge queues this summer.
How to make travelling with kids a breeze
IT can be stressful travelling with kids, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Here's five we'd recommend:
Snacks
It might sound simple, but it's a good idea to pack a LOT of snacks. Think of how much you might need, and double it. After all, it doesn't matter if you have too much - your kids can eat it another time - but it will be a big issue if you run out. There are also snack boxes with lots of little dividers that are great for long journeys as kids can pick at those throughout.
Entertainment
This covers a whole range of things - from a tablet to watch films or play games if you've got older kids, to books and colouring. It's advisable to pack a variety of options, especially if you're on a long journey or have various legs on your haul.
Toys
If you've got a baby or a toddler, there are some sensory-type toys you can buy that can really help keep little ones entertained. These include ones that you stick on the windows of a plane, or on a tray on a highchair, that they can spin and play with to their hearts' content.
Equipment
There are a whole host of things on the market that aim to make sleeping on a plane loads easier. These include a hammock that you can attack to your tray which hangs down to put your feet on. You can also get blow up cushions to turn a seat into a bed for littles, and neck cushions that boast you will be able to use for a decent night's sleep wherever you are.
Yourselves!
Don't underestimate how entertaining you are to your kids. Learn some games you can play with them, and songs you can sing, as kids always love the opportunity to have one-on-one time with their parents.
Tips for avoiding traffic on the motorways
Welcome Break has shared some top tips for avoiding congestion this summer, including advising travellers to leave before 7:30am, or after 7pm, to miss peak hours.
It also advises travelling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, as these are the quietest days, and using Google Maps to check out real-time traffic.
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