Nationwide Highways 'Frozen Solid'... Busan to Seoul Takes 5 Hours 30 Minutes

Traffic Congestion on Return Trip Expected to Ease Between 2 and 3 AM on the 12th

Vehicles lined up on the Gyeongbu Expressway. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Traffic congestion continues on major highways nationwide on the afternoon of the 11th, one day after Chuseok. Some sections, such as the Seoul-bound Gyeongbu Line, show slight improvements in vehicle flow.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 4:30 PM on this day, the Seoul-bound Gyeongbu Expressway is experiencing slow speeds over a 66 km stretch including Yeongdong 3 Tunnel to Okcheon 4 Tunnel (14 km), Daejeon to Hwadeok (4 km), Sintanjin Rest Area to Maebong 1 Overpass (5 km), Oksan Interchange to Oksan Junction (4 km), near Mokcheon Interchange, near Cheongju Rest Area, Bukcheonan to Namsajinwi (24 km), near Anseong Rest Area and Seoul Tollgate, and Sangjeokgyo to Hannam (19 km). Compared to 1 PM, the congested section has decreased by 13.5 km.

The Busan-bound Gyeongbu Line is moving slowly over 21 km including Hannam to Seocho (7 km), near Bukcheonan Interchange, and Tongdosa to Yangsan (14 km). The Seoul-bound Seohaean Expressway is blocked over a total of 49 km including Mokpo Tollgate to Mongtan 2 Tunnel (6 km), near Gochang Dolmen Rest Area and Seokimje Interchange, Dongseocheon to Gunsan Rest Area (6 km), near Gwangcheon Interchange, Dangjin to Seopyeongtaek Junction (30 km), near Bibong Interchange and Palkok Junction, and Iljik to Geumcheon (7 km).

The Hanam-bound Jungbu Expressway is congested over 31 km including Jincheon to Chopyeonggyo (15 km), near Hobeop Junction, Gyeonggi Gwangju Interchange to Dongseoul Tollgate (13 km), and near Hanam Junction (2 km). The Namyi-bound Jungbu Line is moving slowly over 11 km between Jincheon and Jeungpyeong. The Incheon-bound Yeongdong Expressway is congested over a total of 69 km including Sogsa to Pyeongchang (7 km), Myeonon to Dunnae (15 km), Yeoju Junction to Yeoju Rest Area (14 km), Deokpyeong to Yongin Rest Area (15 km), Buk Suwon to Bugok (6 km), Ansan Junction to Seoansan Interchange (6 km), and Wolgot to Seochang (3 km).

As of 5 PM, the estimated travel times by passenger car from major cities nationwide to Seoul Tollgate are: Busan 5 hours 30 minutes, Ulsan 5 hours 20 minutes, Gwangju 5 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 4 hours 40 minutes, Gangneung 3 hours 20 minutes, and Daejeon 3 hours 20 minutes. From Seoul Tollgate to major cities nationwide, the estimated times are: Busan 4 hours 30 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 3 hours 30 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 20 minutes, Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes, and Daejeon 1 hour 40 minutes.

Traffic congestion on the outbound route is expected to ease between 8 and 9 PM on this day, while congestion on the return route is expected to clear around 2 to 3 AM on the 12th.

The estimated nationwide traffic volume for the day is about 5.43 million vehicles. It is expected that 380,000 vehicles will move from the metropolitan area to local regions, and 540,000 vehicles will move from local regions to the metropolitan area.

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