Max Schmidt, Head of Europe’s leading camper tour operator CamperDays, says: “London’s annual Christmas exodus is almost upon us, and with millions of residents set to escape the capital for the festive season, the roads are set to be busier than ever, with the AA issuing an amber traffic warning due to record traffic levels.
“Those intending to drive home should plan their route carefully to ensure as efficient a journey as possible. Roads tend to be busiest on the Friday and Saturday before Christmas, with the AA predicting an astounding 23.7 million drivers planning a trip on Friday 20th, so aim to leave early in the morning or late in the evening to beat the rush. If possible, travelling midweek is preferable as traffic tends to be much lighter.
“It’s important to ensure you have enough fuel given some rural stations may have more limited opening hours over the festive period. If you’re watching the pennies (who isn’t!), avoid service stations and supermarkets that typically charge more, and opt to refuel at nearby petrol stations instead.
“Worth also noting that petrol prices tend to rise later in the week, closer to weekends and public holidays, so filling up well in advance of Christmas may well help you save money during an otherwise expensive time.
“If travelling with children, one of the biggest challenges is keeping them entertained en route, particularly when struggling with traffic delays. The easiest way to curb this is by bringing a tablet or console but for those looking for a more creative solution, why not prepare a checklist for a scavenger hunt along the way? Audiobooks are another great option and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
“Don’t forget the importance of pit-stops to avoid fatigue, exert energy and stretch your legs. It’s recommended that you take at least a 15–20-minute break for every two hours of driving and aim to drive no more than 8-10 hours in a day. Any aches, stiffness or zoning out are indicators to stop driving, switch drivers or take a break.
“High volumes of delivery vans and holidayers mean that delays are inevitable over the festive period so it’s important to be prepared, remain calm and try to enjoy the journey!”
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About CamperDays:
Launched in Germany in 2013, CamperDays is Europe’s leading camper tour operator, working with 150 partners in over 700 locations globally.
CamperDays facilitates access to over 35,500 vehicles available for rent worldwide, including in the UK, Europe, Australia, USA, Canada and South Africa. The platform allows customers to choose from a selection of trusted providers globally via an easy three step booking process, with rentals available from just £70 per day.
Since it was launched, CamperDays customers have booked over 1,000,000 nights in vehicles rented through the site. CamperDays provides access to a broad selection of campervans and motorhomes catering to every type of traveller, with transparent pricing and no hidden costs. All vehicles come with insurance, with excess, as standard, to allow renters a truly carefree holiday.
For more information or to make a booking, visit the website: www.camperdays.co.uk.
[Image credit: John Howard]
