As the Chuseok holiday approaches from September 24 to 27, traffic is expected to peak on the holiday itself, September 25.
On September 17, SK Telecom (SKT) and Tmap Mobility released their traffic flow predictions for major roads during the holiday period.
According to the report, congestion on the outbound journey is expected to be spread across September 23 and 25, while the return traffic is anticipated to concentrate on September 25.
The busiest routes for outbound travel from Seoul to Busan, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Gangneung will vary by date.
On September 23, the Seoul-Daejeon segment is expected to experience the most congestion. Departing at 3 p.m. is projected to take 4 hours and 5 minutes, about an hour longer than usual. Traffic is expected to be heavy from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On September 24, congestion will peak on the Seoul-Gwangju and Seoul-Gangneung routes. Departing at 11 a.m., the trip from Seoul to Gwangju is expected to take 4 hours and 59 minutes, while the journey to Gangneung will take 3 hours and 49 minutes, adding an hour and 30 minutes, respectively, to the usual travel times.
On Chuseok day, September 25, the Seoul-Busan route is predicted to have the longest travel time for outbound trips. Departing at noon is expected to take 7 hours and 3 minutes, about 2 hours longer than normal.
To avoid congestion on the outbound journey, it is advisable to leave late on the night of September 23 or early on September 24. After 7 p.m. on September 24 and after 5 p.m. on September 25, traffic is expected to flow similarly to normal conditions.
Return traffic is expected to peak on September 25. Congestion will begin to increase at 8 a.m. and reach its highest point around noon, with heavy traffic expected to continue into the evening.
From Busan to Seoul, congestion is expected from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 25, peaking at noon with an estimated travel time of 8 hours, about 2 hours and 30 minutes longer than usual.
The Gwangju-Seoul route is also expected to take 6 hours and 23 minutes if departing at noon, adding about 2 hours to the usual travel time.
The Daejeon-Seoul trip is projected to take 4 hours and 20 minutes if leaving at noon, about 1 hour longer than normal, while the journey from Gangneung to Seoul is expected to take 3 hours and 54 minutes if departing at 1 p.m., about 30 minutes longer than usual.
Reverse traffic from Seoul to the provinces is also expected to be busiest on September 25. Departing at noon, the trip from Seoul to Busan is expected to take 7 hours and 3 minutes, 4 hours and 35 minutes to Gwangju, and 3 hours and 30 minutes to Daejeon.
The journey from Seoul to Gangneung is expected to take 3 hours and 36 minutes if departing at 11 a.m.
Congestion on the return journey is expected to continue on September 26. The trip from Busan to Seoul is projected to take 6 hours and 10 minutes if departing at 11 a.m., while the Gwangju-Seoul route is expected to take 4 hours and 54 minutes if leaving at 1 p.m.
The Daejeon-Seoul trip is expected to take 3 hours and 16 minutes if departing at 3 p.m., and the journey from Gangneung to Seoul is projected to take 3 hours and 17 minutes if leaving at 1 p.m.
On the final day of the holiday, September 27, traffic flow is expected to return to normal levels across most routes. The trip from Busan to Seoul is projected to take 5 hours and 45 minutes if departing at 1 p.m., while the Gwangju-Seoul route is expected to take 4 hours and 24 minutes, the Daejeon-Seoul trip 2 hours and 57 minutes, and the Gangneung-Seoul journey 3 hours and 13 minutes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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