Two-Way Traffic Congestion on Return and Departure Routes... Busan to Seoul Takes 7 Hours

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] On the afternoon of the 11th, one day after Chuseok, both directions of major highways nationwide are congested.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 2 p.m. on this day, the estimated travel time by passenger car from major cities nationwide to the Seoul tollgate is 7 hours from Busan, 6 hours 40 minutes from Ulsan, 6 hours from Daegu, 6 hours from Gwangju, 3 hours 40 minutes from Gangneung, and 3 hours 40 minutes from Daejeon.

The return direction started to experience congestion from around 9 to 10 a.m. on this day. It is expected to peak between 4 and 5 p.m. and clear by around 2 to 3 a.m. on the 12th.

The travel time from the Seoul tollgate to major cities nationwide is 4 hours 40 minutes to Busan, 4 hours 20 minutes to Ulsan, 3 hours 40 minutes to Daegu, 3 hours 20 minutes to Gwangju, 2 hours 40 minutes to Gangneung, and 1 hour 50 minutes to Daejeon.

Congestion in the direction of going to hometowns started between 10 and 11 a.m. on this day and is expected to peak between 4 and 5 p.m. It is anticipated to clear by around 8 to 9 p.m.

As of 1 p.m. on this day, the Seoul-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway are congested over a total of 79.5 km, including 8 km near Dallaenae to Banpo, 6.5 km near Anseong to Anseong Junction, 7 km from Ipjang Rest Area to Anseong, 2 km near Cheonan, 19 km from Oksan Junction to Cheonan Samgeori Rest Area, 4 km from Cheongju to Oksan, 23 km from Sintanjin to Cheongju, 7 km from Biryong Junction to near Daejeon, and 3 km near Yangsan.

The Busan-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway are congested over 7 km, including 4 km from Hannam to Seocho and 3 km from Cheonan Junction to Mokcheon.

The Seoul-bound lanes of the Seohaean Expressway have slow-moving traffic over a total of 63 km, including 4 km from Iljik Junction to Geumcheon, 4 km near Maesong Rest Area to Yongdam Tunnel, 3 km near Hwaseong Rest Area, and 24 km near Dangjin Junction to near Seohae Bridge.

The Mokpo-bound lanes of the Seohaean Expressway are blocked in sections such as 4.5 km from Seopyeongtaek to Seohae Bridge and 3 km near Mokpo Tollgate to Illo.

The Hanam-bound lanes of the Jungbu Expressway are congested over a total of 33 km, including 5 km near Jungbu 3 Tunnel to Jungbu 1 Tunnel, 12 km from Iljuk to Moga, 7 km near Jeungpyeong to near Jincheon, and 9 km near Nami Junction to near Seo Cheongju.

The Incheon-bound lanes of the Yeongdong Expressway are congested over a total of 37 km, including 5 km near Jinbu to Jinbu 2 Tunnel, 4 km from Meonon to Dunnae Tunnel, 3 km near Saemal to near Wonju, and 4 km near Yeoju Junction to near Yeoju Rest Area.

The Expressway Corporation explained, "Since it is the day after Chuseok, congestion in the return direction is expected to be severe until dawn on the 12th, but the level of congestion is expected to be lower compared to the previous day."

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