Drive home for Christmas becomes annual tradition as Brits say they ‘look forward to it’

The typical Christmas drive home for Brits covers 94 miles, includes the delivery of 13 presents, and is accompanied by a playlist of 11 festive tunes.

This is according to a survey of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas, with 35% revealing they will be travelling by car for their holiday celebrations, half of whom will have their pet as a co-passenger.

The majority (75%) anticipate their Christmas drive, with 69% viewing it as an integral part of their yearly traditions.

To create the perfect atmosphere when driving, half say they prefer festive music over pop (42%) or rock (30%) during their seasonal drives, although Metallica’s Enter Sandman surprisingly made the top 10.

Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas was voted the second favourite song to play on the long drive, narrowly beaten by Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl.

Marc Pell, managing director at , which commissioned the study, said: “The drive home is a key part of annual festivities. There’s a real joy in driving home for Christmas: reconnecting with others, singing along to festive tunes, and cramming the car full of gifts.”

He added:”It’s these types of memorable car journeys that make the season extra special. From commuting to see loved ones or chaperoning family to ensure they get from A to B, we rely on cars to keep us moving – whether we’re behind the wheel or going along for the ride.”

But it’s not all smooth sailing, 18% confessed that family disputes often erupt during these trips, adding a touch of drama to the holiday cheer. Yet, despite potential disagreements, 60% favour driving over using public transport during the festive season.

The main advantages cited include quicker travel (70%), more direct routes (68%), and the freedom to play their own music (57%).

Nearly half (47%) also value the extra space for presents in cars, And this year, a third of people plan to share car journeys to cut costs.

Marc Pell commented: “It’s positive to see so many people planning to car share on their drive home this Christmas – turning long journeys into shared moments of connection.”