The M6 motorway in the UK will be the worst hit with traffic this Christmas, with a usual ten-minute journey through Walsall expected to take almost six times longer, according to the latest data released by INRIX

Around 18 million drivers are expected to use Britain’s roads to drive home for the festive season.

The roads will be the busiest between 4pm and 6pm on 21 December, when up to 60% of all drivers are expected to travel, with stretches across the south likely to be clogged the most.

Drivers may face one hour delays on the stretch between Warrington and Stafford.

Travel time will be four times longer on theM25 towards Heathrow Airport, while people heading into North Somerset are likely to face a delay of at least 40 minutes on M5 around Bristol.

According to INRIX, an international provider of traffic information, driver services and historic data, 25% of travellers will undertake their journeys on 22 December.

Travelling times are likely to be further affected due to drivers who make their last minute Christmas shopping. INRIX has revealed that the busiest times will be between 12 noon and 4pm on 22 December.

"Around 18 million drivers are expected to use Britain’s roads to drive home for the festive season."

The morning of 24 December is likely to be quieter, but traffic will build up from 3pm and reach its peak at 5pm.

INRIX traffic analyst Cat Kobylinski said that with Christmas day falling on Tuesday this year, some drivers will take up journeys over the weekend to avoid mass departures.

The company suggested that drivers should allocate double time for their journeys on 21 December, especially when they drive through motorways and main arterial routes.

As airlines such as British Airways have already announced that their busiest day will be 21 December, INRIX has recommended drivers to allocate at least an extra hour to their journey to the airport so that delays on roads do not lead them to miss their flights.