On the First Day of the Golden Holiday, Traffic Jams Across Nationwide Highways... Seoul to Busan Takes 6 Hours 30 Minutes

Traffic Congestion Peaks Between 11 AM and 12 PM

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] On the first day of the golden holiday on the 30th, highways nationwide are more congested than usual weekends due to an influx of travelers.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 10 AM, major highways are experiencing traffic jams heading from the Seoul metropolitan area toward the provinces.

On the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Busan, congestion is occurring over a total of 97 km, including sections from Hannam to Seocho (4 km), near Jukjeon to near Namsa (30 km), and Anseong to near Cheonan Rest Area (39 km).

On the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung, vehicles are moving slowly over a total of 45 km, including near Singal Junction to near Yongin Rest Area (17 km). On the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway toward Yangyang, slow traffic extends over 43 km, including from Gangil to near Seojong (18 km).

The congestion that began between 6 and 7 AM is expected to peak between 11 AM and 12 PM and to ease around 6 to 7 PM.

The Expressway Corporation explained, "Congestion is more severe than usual Saturdays, especially toward the provinces, while traffic toward Seoul is relatively smooth."

The corporation forecasted a total traffic volume of 4.58 million vehicles nationwide for the day. Of these, 420,000 vehicles are expected to travel from the metropolitan area to the provinces, and 380,000 vehicles from the provinces to the metropolitan area.

If departing by passenger car at 10 AM, it is expected to take 6 hours and 30 minutes from Seoul Tollgate to Busan Tollgate.

Travel times to Ulsan are expected to be 6 hours, to Daegu 5 hours and 30 minutes. Other destinations such as Daejeon (3 hours 40 minutes), Gangneung (4 hours 20 minutes), Gwangju (5 hours 40 minutes), and Mokpo (6 hours) also have longer expected travel times than usual weekends.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.