End of Holiday Return Traffic on Expressways Still Smooth... Busan to Seoul Takes 5 Hours

Estimated Nationwide Traffic Volume Approximately 4.67 Million Vehicles on This Day

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] On the last day of the holiday, the 12th, the final wave of return traffic is expected to cause congestion on highways in various areas. The estimated nationwide traffic volume for the day is about 4.67 million vehicles. Approximately 340,000 vehicles are expected to move from the metropolitan area to the provinces, and 510,000 vehicles from the provinces to the metropolitan area.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 9 a.m. on the day, traffic flow on nationwide highways is generally smooth. However, on the Nonsan-Cheonan Line towards Cheonan, vehicles are repeatedly crawling slowly over a 10 km section from Jeongan Rest Area to Jeongan IC Inpung Bridge.

On the Gyeongbu Line towards Seoul, near Anseong Junction and Ok-san area, and on the Jungbu Naeryuk Line towards Yangpyeong, near Yeoju Junction and between Jinnam Tunnel and Mungyeong Saejae, vehicle numbers are increasing, showing signs of gradual congestion.

Near Cheonan Junction on the Gyeongbu Line towards Seoul, near Seojong on the Seoul-Yangyang Line towards Seoul, and near Jinnam Tunnel on the Jungbu Naeryuk Line towards Yangpyeong, traffic is experiencing difficulties due to vehicle accidents.

As of 9 a.m., the estimated travel time by passenger car from major cities nationwide to Seoul Tollgate is 5 hours from Busan, 4 hours 40 minutes from Ulsan, 4 hours from Daegu, 3 hours 40 minutes from Gwangju, 2 hours 50 minutes from Gangneung, and 2 hours from Daejeon.

The estimated travel time from Seoul Tollgate to major cities nationwide is 4 hours 30 minutes to Busan, 4 hours 10 minutes to Ulsan, 3 hours 30 minutes to Daegu, 3 hours 20 minutes to Gwangju, 2 hours 40 minutes to Gangneung, and 1 hour 30 minutes to Daejeon.

With increasing vehicles on the highways, congestion towards the return direction is expected to begin between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. The congestion is expected to peak between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and to clear around 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Traffic flow towards the outbound direction is expected to remain relatively smooth throughout the day.

The Expressway Corporation explained, "Due to the final return traffic on the last day of the Chuseok holiday, congestion is expected to be at a level similar to that of a usual weekend."

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