Revealed: The most hellish driving routes to avoid when traveling with children

A Hyundai-backed poll of 2,000 British adults identified the worst UK driving routes for families with children under ten, led by the M25, commonly dubbed Britain's biggest car park. Some 29% of respondents named the London orbital as the number one nightmare route, citing seemingly endless traffic jams as families prepare for autumn half-term or Christmas journeys. The study also noted that as many as 72% of parents will be embarking on a car journey with their kids during the October half term or at Christmas.

The routes most avoided by families with young children include the M25 around London (29%), followed by the M5 from Birmingham to Devon/Cornwall and the A30 into Cornwall (both 19%). Other infamously slow corridors include the M1 around Milton Keynes and Luton (17%), the M6 to the Lake District (17%), and the M62 across the Pennines (15%). Additional stretches such as the A1/A1(M) through Cambridgeshire and North Yorkshire (13%), the A2/M2 to Dover (13%) and the M20 to Folkestone/Eurotunnel (12%) also made the list. Even scenic routes in Scotland and Wales were cited, including the A82 to Loch Lomond (10%), the A9 through the Cairngorms (9%) and the A470 through Wales to Snowdonia (8%).

The poll also highlighted the emotional and logistical toll of road trips with young children. Families report spending significant time behind the wheel simply to rock kids to sleep, with nine hours a month spent driving for nap time. Some 73% admitted regularly doing laps of their neighbourhood to coax a child into slumber. Obstacles cited by parents include traffic jams (42%), engine noise (41%), and frequent petrol stops (36%), all of which can disrupt sleep routines. More nuanced challenges included waking a sleeping child to pay for fuel (28%) and the guilt associated with idling (26%). A further 21% described the overall exhaustion that comes from hours spent driving.

Despite the fatigue, many parents said road trips remain a source of fun and family memories. Some 11% said the only truly peaceful journeys are those when the kids are asleep, while 43% of respondents still described road trips as enjoyable, and 36% treasure memories of their own childhood family road trips. When asked for tips to ease journeys, 24% said they set off at dawn to beat the traffic, and 53% insisted that having plenty of snacks is essential for a smoother trip.

The findings reflect a broader trend of families balancing practicality with the desire to create enduring memories on the road. While the routes named as the most challenging span motorways and coastal corridors alike, the survey indicates that preparation, pacing, and snacks can help mitigate the stress of traveling with children during peak travel periods. Culture and entertainment interests surrounding family travel continue to evolve as households seek ways to blend practicality with shared experiences on the road.