DRIVING home for Christmas could take almost twice as long as usual for thousands of Oxfordshire drivers.

Traffic experts are predicting the mass exodus of workers heading home tomorrow to clog the district’s roads between 4pm and 6pm.

The south will be the worst-hit area in the UK according to data analysts INRIX, as 60 per cent of all the traffic on the roads during that time is expected to be people heading home for their break.

It predicts a journey on the A34 from Abingdon to Bicester will take 26 minutes longer than usual.

According to historical data collected by the company, the 21.3 mile northbound stretch usually takes an average of 29 minutes, but drivers can expect that trip to take 55 minutes.

It said a further 25 per cent of festive travellers will make their journey on Saturday, and the roads may be disrupted by those heading out for last-minute Christmas shopping.

It has predicted Christmas Eve morning will be quieter and afternoon traffic will build up earlier from 3pm traffic, peaking at 5pm.

Airports are also expecting tomorrow to be their busiest day of the year and have advised motorists to add an extra hour to journeys.