Traffic congestion peaks on return routes... Busan to Seoul takes 6 hours 10 minutes

Relief Expected Tomorrow Between 2 and 3 AM

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] On the afternoon of the 1st, the day of the Lunar New Year, traffic congestion on the way home is increasing on major highways nationwide. The congestion in the direction of returning home is expected to peak around 4 to 5 p.m. and ease around 2 to 3 a.m. the next day, the 2nd.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, at 5 p.m. on this day, the estimated travel time by passenger car from major cities nationwide to the Seoul tollgate is 6 hours 10 minutes from Busan, 5 hours 50 minutes from Ulsan, 5 hours 20 minutes from Daegu, 5 hours 50 minutes from Gwangju, 3 hours 40 minutes from Daejeon, and 3 hours 20 minutes from Gangneung.

As of 4:20 p.m., the Seoul-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway are congested over a total distance of 115 km, including the 46 km section near Cheongju Rest Area to Anseong Junction, as well as sections near Dallaenae to Banpo, near Giheung to Singal Junction, and Cheongju Junction to Oksan.

The Busan-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway are also congested over a 32 km section including Hannam to Seocho, Singil Junction to Suwon, and near Eonyang Junction to Seoul-san.

The Seoul-bound lanes of the Seohaean Expressway are crawling over a total distance of 74 km, including Dangjin Junction to West Pyeongtaek, Daecheon Rest Area to near Gwangcheon, and near Gunsan Rest Area to Dongseocheon Junction, while the Mokpo-bound lanes are moving slowly near Sunsan Tunnel.

The Hanam-bound lanes of the Jungbu Expressway are slow-moving over a 43 km section including Gyeonggi Gwangju Junction to near Jungbu 1 Tunnel, and near Jeungpyeong to Jincheon, while the Namyi-bound lanes are slow over a 13 km section including near Jincheon to Jincheon Tunnel and near Seo Cheongju to Namyi Junction.

The Incheon-bound lanes of the Yeongdong Expressway are moving below normal speed over a total distance of 44 km, including Myeonon to Dunnae Tunnel, Hoengseong Rest Area to Saemal, and Hobup Junction to Yangji Tunnel, while the Gangneung-bound lanes are flowing smoothly.

The Guri-bound lanes of the Seoul Metropolitan Area First Ring Expressway are congested over a total of 19 km, including Gyeyang to Songnae and Suraksan Tunnel to Sapaesan Tunnel, while the Ilsan-bound lanes are congested over a total of 23 km, including near Sorae Tunnel in Songnae-dong and Namyangju to Sangil.

The Expressway Corporation forecasted the nationwide traffic volume to be 4.95 million vehicles on this day. It predicted 370,000 vehicles moving from the metropolitan area to local areas and 450,000 vehicles moving from local areas to the metropolitan area.

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