Highway Traffic Congestion Eases on Return Trip... Seoul to Busan in 4 Hours 40 Minutes

Vehicles of returning travelers are moving toward the tollgate at Seongnam Seoul Tollgate in Gyeonggi-do./Seongnam=Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] On the afternoon of the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 24th, traffic congestion on the highways heading back to Seoul is somewhat easing.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 5 PM on this day, the estimated travel times from major cities nationwide to the Seoul Tollgate are: Busan 4 hours 40 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 20 minutes, Daegu 3 hours 40 minutes, Mokpo 3 hours 50 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 40 minutes, Gangneung 3 hours, and Daejeon 2 hours 50 minutes.

Conversely, the travel times from the Seoul Tollgate to each region are: Busan 4 hours 30 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 3 hours 30 minutes, Mokpo 3 hours 40 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 20 minutes, Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes, and Daejeon 1 hour 30 minutes.

Although travel times have shortened compared to earlier in the day, some sections remain congested.

As of 4:30 PM, on the Seoul-bound side of the Gyeongbu Expressway, traffic is slow in the following sections: around Yangjae to Banpo for 6 km, near Anseong Junction for 3 km, from near Cheongju to near Cheongju Rest Area for 16 km, near Daejeon for 2 km, and from Yeongdong Tunnel 3 to Yeongdong Tunnel 1 for 5 km.

On the Seoul-bound side of the Seohaean Expressway, speeds are slow between Iljik Junction and Geumcheon for 4 km, and from near Dangjin to Seohae Bridge for 16 km.

On the Hanam-bound side of the Jungbu Expressway, traffic is heavy in the following sections: from Gyeonggi Gwangju IC to near Jungbu Terminal for 3 km, near Eumseong Rest Area to near Iljuk for 7 km, near Jincheon Tunnel to near Jincheon for 6 km, and from Namyi Junction to near Seo Cheongju for 7 km.

On the Incheon-bound side of the Yeongdong Expressway, vehicles are moving slowly in these sections: near Dunnae Tunnel for 2 km, near Yangji to near Yangji Tunnel for 4 km, and from Bugok to Donggunpo for 2 km.

On the Seoul-bound side of the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, congestion is occurring between Seojong and Hwado for 5 km.

Currently, traffic heading toward hometowns is relatively smooth, but traffic returning to Seoul is congested at levels typical of weekends. The Korea Expressway Corporation predicts that congestion on the return route will ease between 10 and 11 PM.

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