Drivers have been warned to expect severe delays on Britain’s roads this Christmas after the AA predicted record traffic over the festive season.

Friday 20 December is expected to be the busiest day over Christmas – with figures from the AA suggesting it will be the busiest Christmas getaway day of any year since the AA began recording data in 2010. Amber traffic warnings have been issued by the AA for three days leading up to Christmas Day.

More than half of journeys over the Christmas period are anticipated to be no more than 50 miles. The AA said Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday may help spread festive journeys this year, but could also mean more days of long delays as many people will embark on a getaway from work on 20 December followed by last-minute shopping trips and visits to friends and family.

Drivers are being advised to pack essentials such as warm clothing, food, water and a fully-charged phone in case their journey takes longer than expected.

Where are the busiest roads for Christmas travel?

With 23.7 million drivers expected to hit the roads on Friday 20 December, it marks the busiest day of not just this Christmas, but any Christmas since the AA began recording data 15 years ago. The breakdown and recovery service have issued several amber traffic warnings ahead of the Christmas getaway.

Those warnings are in place for the following roads:

• M4/M5 interchange

• M3/M25 interchange

• M25 around Heathrow Airport

• M5/M6 interchange

• M6 J4-11 (M42-Wolverhampton)

• M27 J14-13 (Southampton to Portsmouth)

• M4 around Cardiff and Newport

• A38 in Somerset

• A34 Oxford to Newbury

The most common reason for travelling over Christmas is visiting family and friends with around three-quarters driving home for Christmas and giving this as a reason for their trip, according to the AA.

The final weekend before Christmas is set to cause long queues on Britain’s roads, with some 22.7 million vehicles expected.

Amber traffic warnings are in place for the following roads:

More than half of journeys over the Christmas period are anticipated to be no more than 50 miles.

The joint second worst day for traffic jams over Christmas is expected to be on Monday 23 December, with 22.7 million drivers expected.

Monday marks the last standard weekday before Christmas Eve, putting pressure on the roads as workers finish for the holidays and set off for their breaks and getaways.

Amber traffic warnings are in place for the following roads:

• M1 J10-15a (Luton to Northampton)

• M42 J3A-J8 (M40 to M6 interchanges)

• A64 around York

• A303 around Stonehenge

• M5 J16-25 (Bristol to Taunton)

• A34 Oxford to Newbury