A new survey reveals the holiday driving habits of UK adults, showing how integral car journeys have become to Christmas celebrations. Conducted by Tempcover, the study of 2,000 adults celebrating Christmas found some shocking and delightful insights about their holiday travel preferences.
According to the research, 35% of respondents will be taking to the roads this festive season, often with their furry companions as half of them plan to travel with pets. Notably, three-quarters of participants look forward to their Christmas drive, with 69% considering it an indispensable part of their holiday traditions. The typical Christmas commute home covers around 94 miles, involves the distribution of 13 gifts, and features playlists of 11 holiday tunes to get everyone in the festive spirit.
“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,” said Marc Pell, managing director at Tempcover, reflecting the positive sentiments expressed by survey participants. “It’s these types of memorable car journeys make the season extra special.”
While such journeys are often joyous, they can also ignite familial tensions; 18% of respondents admitted to experiencing family arguments during these drives. This statistic reflects the complex dynamics of holiday travel, where the thrill of excitement can sometimes bubble over. Despite the occasional discord, 60% of respondents prefer driving over public transport, enjoying the convenience and flexibility it provides.
One compelling reason to choose driving, highlighted by the survey, is the swift and direct travel it allows, with 70% of adults citing quicker transport as advantageous. The luxury of listening to their own music is also valued, champions by 57% of respondents who favor creating their personalized festive playlist.
Half of survey respondents reported being more inclined to relish holiday tunes during their drives, far exceeding the popularity of pop and rock music genres during the festive period. Surprisingly, even Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” made the list of top driving songs, showcasing the eclectic tastes of drivers during Christmas trips.
The top songs to accompany UK drivers this festive season include:
- Fairytale of New York - The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl
- Driving Home for Christmas - Chris Rea
- Last Christmas - Wham!
- All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
- I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
- Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens
- Step Into Christmas - Elton John
- Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid
- Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) - The Darkness
- Enter Sandman - Metallica
With travel itineraries mapped out and holiday playlists ready, the impending Christmas journeys are not solely about the destination, but the shared experiences on the road.
“It’s positive to see so many people planning to car share on their drive home this Christmas - turning long journeys to shared moments of connection,” Pell continued, emphasizing the importance of carpooling not just for economic benefits but also for deepening personal bonds.
Indeed, nearly one-third of travelers are considering sharing car rides this year as they look to save costs during the festive period. With rising fuel prices and inflation affecting household budgets, sharing rides is both economically smart and offers opportunities for creating lasting memories.
With almost eight hours clocked on the road and two planned fuel stops, holiday drives are both long and typically filled with mirth and music. Whether it’s joyous reflections or lighthearted bickering, all the elements combine to create memorable family outings. The roads during this season become united paths of laughter, shared songs, and the special moments Disney characters only dream about.
This holiday season, as more families embrace the car as their festive transport of choice, the thrill of travel along with the warmth of companionship is set to make each drive more than just transportation. It becomes part of the cherished holiday traditions, forging connections with loved ones and the essence of what Christmas truly embodies.
