Traffic Jam Begins on Return Trip "Busan to Seoul 8 Hours... Expected to Clear Around 2-3 AM"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] Traffic congestion on the return journey began in the early afternoon after noon on the 1st, the day of Seollal (Lunar New Year).

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 12 PM that day, the Seoul-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway are congested over a total distance of 58 km, including sections from Yangjae to Banpo, Giheung to Suwon, Cheonan Samgeori Rest Area to Bukcheonan, Jukam Rest Area to Oksan, and Daejeon to Sintanjin.

The Busan-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Line are experiencing slow traffic over 14 km sections between Singil Junction and Suwon, and Osan to Namsa.

The Seoul-bound lanes of the Seohaean Expressway are crawling over a total of 111.5 km, including Iljik Junction to Geumcheon, near Haemi to near Seohaedaegyo Bridge, Daecheon to Hongseong, and near Illo to Mongtan 2 Tunnel. The Mokpo-bound lanes are moving slowly over a 2 km section near Paltan Junction to Hwaseong Rest Area.

The Hanam-bound lanes of the Jungbu Expressway are slow over 15 km sections near Eumseong Rest Area to Iljuk, and near Jincheon Tunnel to Jincheon. The Namyi-bound lanes are slow over a 2 km section near Jincheon Tunnel.

The Incheon-bound lanes of the Yeongdong Expressway are congested over a total of 54 km, including near Daegwallyeong 2 Tunnel to Daegwallyeong, Pyeongchang to Dunnae Tunnel, and Manjong Junction to near Munmak. The Gangneung-bound lanes are flowing smoothly except for a 2 km section near Seochang Junction to Wolgot Junction.

The Guri-bound lanes of the Capital Region 1st Circular Expressway are congested over a total of 18 km, including Siheung Rest Area to Jonam Junction, and Gyeyang to Songnae. The Ilsan-bound lanes are congested over a total of 19 km, including near Sorae Tunnel to Jungdong, and Namyangju to Sangil.

At 1 PM that day, the estimated travel times by passenger car from major cities nationwide to the Seoul Tollgate are 8 hours from Busan, 7 hours 32 minutes from Ulsan, 7 hours 20 minutes from Daegu, 6 hours 50 minutes from Gwangju, 3 hours 40 minutes from Daejeon, and 4 hours 20 minutes from Gangneung.

The Expressway Corporation observed a nationwide traffic volume of 4.95 million vehicles that day. It predicted 370,000 vehicles moving from the metropolitan area to local regions, and 450,000 vehicles moving from local regions to the metropolitan area.

The Expressway Corporation stated, "Many vehicles will use the expressways on Seollal day, and with a mix of visits to ancestral graves and relatives, both outbound and return traffic will be very congested."

The congestion on the return routes is expected to peak around 4 to 5 PM that day and to clear by 2 to 3 AM on the following day, the 2nd.

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