December is here, and with it comes winter roads, packed highways, and the busiest travel period of the year. Whether you’re heading home for the holidays, doing last-minute shopping, or planning a long winter road trip, traffic can quickly turn a simple drive into hours of frustration.

To help drivers better prepare, Google has released updated traffic insights based on real-time data from millions of users. These trends show when congestion peaks and when you should avoid the roads to save time, reduce stress, and stay safe.

Here’s what every driver should know before traveling this December.

Holiday Travel: When Traffic Is at Its Worst

Across Europe and North America, Google Maps reports the heaviest congestion in December during:

  • Weekdays between 4 PM and 6 PM (commute + holiday shopping)

  • Saturdays between 12 PM and 4 PM (shopping & errands)

  • December 22–24 — the busiest travel period before Christmas

  • December 26 (Boxing Day) — heavy shopping traffic

  • December 30–31 — pre–New Year travel

Best times to drive this month

  • Early mornings before 10 AM

  • Late evenings after 7 PM

  • Midweek days (Tuesday/Wednesday) tend to be the quietest

Avoiding peak windows can save up to 40–60% of travel time, according to Google’s congestion models.

Winter Hazards Increase Traffic Delays

December brings more than just crowds. Google Maps reports a sharp rise in:

  • Weather-related slowdowns

  • Accidents

  • Road closures

  • Icy roads

  • Reduced visibility

This makes real-time traffic data more important than ever — especially on longer trips or in unfamiliar areas.

Google Maps Traffic Reports on CarPlay: Now Better Than Ever

Waze used to dominate user-generated traffic reporting, but Google Maps has now fully caught up.

On CarPlay and Android Auto, you can now quickly report:

  • Accidents

  • Hazards

  • Speed traps

  • Roadworks

Google Maps will also show confirmation prompts, letting you validate reports from other drivers. This crowdsourced data keeps your route fresh and accurate — especially during heavy holiday traffic.

Google has also started integrating police and hazard data from Waze, improving accuracy even further.

Why CarPlay Matters Even More in December

Winter and holiday travel means:

  • More congestion

  • More accidents

  • More weather delays

  • More last-minute changes

CarPlay gives you a safer, smarter driving experience during the busiest travel season of the year:

  • Real-time Google Maps & Apple Maps

  • Live rerouting

  • Traffic alerts

  • Hazard warnings

  • Hands-free calling & messaging

  • Easy playlist and podcast control

If your vehicle doesn’t support CarPlay from the factory, you don’t have to stay outdated.

Upgrade Your Car for the Holiday Season

with a CarPlay Module from TheCarPlayer.com

Many cars built before 2016 — and even some after — still lack CarPlay entirely.

Our plug-and-play CarPlay modules add Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto to hundreds of models, including:

  • BMW

  • Mercedes

  • Audi

  • Volkswagen

  • Lexus

  • Porsche

  • Land Rover & Range Rover

  • Smart
    …and many more.

Every module includes:

✔ Wireless Apple CarPlay
✔ Wireless Android Auto
✔ OEM button & steering wheel control support
✔ OEM Bluetooth compatibility (model-dependent)
✔ Full HD video output
✔ Easy DIY installation

👉 Explore all CarPlay retrofit modules:
https://thecarplayer.com/collections/

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