When Will Traffic Jams Be Worst During Chuseok Holiday?... "Return Trip More Congested"

Homecoming and Return Travel Volume 32.26 Million
Increase Compared to Last Year Despite COVID-19
Seoul to Busan 5 Hours 30 Minutes
Busan to Seoul 8 Hours 40 Minutes
Peak Traffic Congestion on Chuseok Day

As the Chuseok holiday and the main homecoming procession begin in earnest, traffic congestion has already started on some sections of highways nationwide. Although the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic remains severe, more people are expected to visit their hometowns this year compared to last year. Traffic congestion is expected to be worst on Chuseok day itself, when homecoming, returning, and travelers are all mixed, and heavy congestion is also anticipated on the afternoon of the day after Chuseok, the 22nd.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Transport Institute on the 18th, the total number of people traveling for homecoming and returning nationwide during this year’s Chuseok holiday is estimated to be 32.26 million. The average daily number of travelers is predicted to be 5.38 million, a 3.5% increase compared to last year’s Chuseok average of 5.19 million. This represents a 90.1% increase compared to normal days (2.83 million). On Chuseok day, the 21st, up to 6.26 million people are expected to travel.

Traffic Congestion Peaks on Chuseok Day

The preferred departure time for homecoming is between 8 and 10 a.m. on the day before Chuseok, the 20th. Returning trips are preferred between 2 and 3 p.m. on Chuseok day, the 21st, and the following day, the 22nd, making heavy traffic congestion likely during these times. Especially on the 21st, when homecoming, travel, and returning departures are concentrated, traffic congestion is expected to be at its worst.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the vast majority (93.6%) responded that they would use private cars as their mode of transportation to visit their hometowns. Buses (3.2%), railways (2.0%), airplanes (0.7%), and passenger ships (0.5%) followed. Considering that last Chuseok, private cars accounted for 91.3% and buses 5.5%, the increase in private car use may lead to greater traffic congestion. Before COVID-19, private car usage was 85.1%, and buses accounted for 9.8%.

However, the number of accompanying passengers is expected to be lower than in previous years. This year, the average number of passengers traveling together is 3.0 for private cars and 1.9 for public transportation. The average number of accompanying passengers from 2019 to 2021 showed a decreasing trend: private cars 3.3 → 3.3 → 3.0, public transportation 2.4 → 2.3 → 1.9. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport explained that this is due to restrictions on gathering sizes resulting from public transportation quarantine measures and strengthened social distancing stages.

The highways most used by vehicles are the Gyeongbu Line (22.8%), Seohaean Line (11.4%), Namhae Line (9.9%), and Honam Line (Cheonan~Nonsan section, 8.3%). Within metropolitan cities and provinces, travel was highest in the Gangwon region at 46.5%, followed by the Jeolla region at 45.4%. Inter-regional travel was highest in the Seoul metropolitan area at 73.4%, followed by the Chungcheong region at 73.3%.

Seoul→Busan 5 hours 30 minutes, Busan→Seoul 8 hours 40 minutes

Looking at travel times between major cities, the return trip is expected to be more congested than the homecoming trip. Travel times toward homecoming are expected to decrease by up to 1 hour and 25 minutes compared to last year. The Seoul to Busan trip is predicted to take 5 hours and 30 minutes, 40 minutes less than last year’s 6 hours and 10 minutes. Seoul to Daejeon is 2 hours 30 minutes, Seoul to Gwangju 3 hours 50 minutes, and Seoul to Gangneung 3 hours, each reducing travel time by 50 to 60 minutes compared to last year.

On the other hand, return trips are expected to increase travel time by up to 3 hours and 15 minutes compared to last year. The Busan to Seoul trip is expected to take 8 hours and 40 minutes, meaning travelers will spend 2 hours and 35 minutes longer on the road than last Chuseok. Especially, the Gwangju to Seoul trip is expected to take 8 hours, 3 hours and 15 minutes longer than last year. Other routes include Daejeon to Seoul at about 4 hours 40 minutes and Gangneung to Seoul at about 5 hours 10 minutes.

Note that indoor dining at rest areas is prohibited during the Chuseok holiday period. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the government has banned indoor dining at rest areas for six days from the 17th to the 22nd, allowing only takeout sales. Dedicated personnel will be stationed at all entrances and exits to conduct temperature checks and guide visitors to fill out entry logs, and social distancing will be strictly enforced in indoor stores and restrooms. The government is operating temporary screening clinics at rest areas in Anseong (Seoul), Icheon (Hanam), Hwaseong (Seoul), Yongin (Incheon), Baekyangsa (Suncheon), Seomjingang (Suncheon), Hampyeongcheonji (Mokpo), Boseong Green Tea (Mokpo), and Tongdosa (Busan).

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