Traffic Congestion in Both Directions on Nationwide Highways During Return Home... Busan to Seoul Takes 8 Hours 10 Minutes

Peak Hours for Outbound Travel 1-2 PM, Inbound Travel 4-5 PM
"Severe Congestion Expected in Both Directions Due to Mixed Outbound and Inbound Traffic"

On the 8th, one day before the Chuseok holiday, traffic congestion continues on the southbound lanes (right side) of the Gyeongbu Expressway as seen from Jamwon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Myunghwan] On the day of Chuseok, the 10th, traffic congestion continues in both directions on major highways nationwide during the daytime.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of noon on this day, the southbound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Busan are congested over a total distance of 68 km, including 9 km from Jukjeon to Suwon, 10 km near Osan to near Namsa, 19 km from Bukcheonan to Mokcheon, 13 km near Oksan Junction to near Oksan, and 10 km from Hoedeok Junction to Biryong Junction. The northbound lanes toward Seoul are moving slowly over a total of 54 km, including 6 km from Yangsan Junction to near Yangsan, 11 km near Bukdaegu to Chilgok Junction, 19 km near Daejeon to Namcheongju, 6 km near Cheongju to Oksan, and 8 km from Dallaenae to Banpo.

On the Seohaean Expressway toward Mokpo, 35 km of congestion is reported, including 7 km from Seo Seoul Tollgate to near Yongdam Tunnel, 7 km near Bibong to near Hwaseong Rest Area, 14 km near Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohae Bridge, and 7 km near Seosan to near Unsan Tunnel. The lanes toward Seoul are congested over 78 km, including 7 km from Mokpo Tollgate to Mongtan 2 Tunnel, 21 km near Seogimje to near Dongseocheon Junction, 23 km from Dangjin Junction to Seohae Bridge, 12 km from Seopyeongtaek Junction to near Hwaseong Rest Area, 6 km from Bibong to Yongdam Tunnel, and 7 km from Gwangmyeong Station to Geumcheon.

On the Jungbu Expressway toward Namyi, slow traffic is observed in sections including 16 km from Hanam Junction to near Jungbu 3 Tunnel, 6 km from Hobeop Junction to Namicheon IC, 10 km near Jincheon to near Jincheon Tunnel, and 5 km from Seocheongju to Namyi Junction. The lanes toward Hanam are congested over 14 km from Iljuk to Moga.

On the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung, congestion extends over 16 km, including 5 km near Banwol Tunnel to Gunpo and 3 km near Wonju. The lanes toward Incheon are experiencing stop-and-go traffic over 32 km, including 8 km from Yeoju Junction to near Icheon and 15 km from Deokpyeong Rest Area to Yongin Rest Area.

The Expressway Corporation stated, "Today, with a mix of outbound and return traffic due to ancestral rites and family visits, severe congestion is expected in both directions."

Outbound traffic congestion is expected to start between 6 and 7 a.m., peak between 1 and 2 p.m., and ease between 8 and 9 p.m. Return traffic congestion is expected to begin between 9 and 10 a.m., peak between 4 and 5 p.m., and clear around 2 to 3 a.m. on the 11th.

The estimated nationwide traffic volume for the day is about 6.49 million vehicles. Approximately 490,000 vehicles are expected to move from the metropolitan area to provinces, and 480,000 vehicles from provinces to the metropolitan area.

As of 1 p.m. today, the estimated travel times by passenger car from each region to Seoul Tollgate are: Busan 8 hours 10 minutes, Ulsan 7 hours 50 minutes, Daegu 7 hours 10 minutes, Gwangju 7 hours, Daejeon 4 hours 40 minutes, and Gangneung 5 hours 20 minutes.

Conversely, the estimated travel times from Seoul Tollgate to major cities nationwide are: Busan 7 hours 50 minutes, Ulsan 7 hours 30 minutes, Daegu 6 hours 50 minutes, Gwangju 5 hours 40 minutes, Gangneung 4 hours 40 minutes, and Daejeon 4 hours 10 minutes.

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