On the third day of the Chuseok holiday, heavy traffic is expected as travelers return to Seoul, with travel times from Busan to Seoul estimated at 7 hours and 50 minutes. Major highways leading to Seoul are experiencing significant congestion.
According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 1 p.m., the estimated travel times from major cities to the Seoul tollgate are as follows: Busan 7 hours 50 minutes, Ulsan 7 hours 30 minutes, Mokpo 6 hours 50 minutes, Daegu 6 hours 50 minutes, Gwangju 6 hours 30 minutes, Gangneung 5 hours, and Daejeon 3 hours 30 minutes.
Compared to 9 a.m., travel times on key routes have increased by 50 minutes to as much as 1 hour and 30 minutes.
As return traffic builds, congestion on the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Seoul is reported in several areas, including 3 kilometers from Geumho Junction to Chilgok Junction, 2 kilometers from Biryu Junction to Daejeon Tunnel, 5 kilometers near Sangseo Interchange and Sintanjin, 15 kilometers near Oksan Interchange and Cheongju Rest Area, and 9 kilometers near Dallaenae and Banpo.
On the Seohaean Expressway toward Seoul, congestion is also noted in areas such as 9 kilometers near Mokpo and Mongtan Tunnel, and 13 kilometers near Dangjin and Haengdam Rest Area.
The Jungbu Inland Expressway toward Yangpyeong is experiencing slow traffic in sections including 6 kilometers near Chilseo and Namji, 5 kilometers near Seonsan Rest Area and Sangju Tunnel, and 14 kilometers near Gamgok and Yeoju Junction.
The Korea Expressway Corporation anticipates that congestion will peak around 4 to 5 p.m. and will likely ease by 2 to 3 a.m. on the 27th.
In contrast, roads leading from Seoul to the provinces are experiencing relatively smooth traffic. Travel times from the Seoul tollgate to Busan are expected to be 5 hours 30 minutes, Ulsan 5 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 4 hours 30 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 20 minutes, Mokpo 3 hours 40 minutes, Gangneung 2 hours 50 minutes, and Daejeon 1 hour 40 minutes.
Unlike the routes toward Seoul, only minor congestion is reported on highways heading to the provinces, including 1 kilometer near Dodong Junction on the Gyeongbu Line, 2 kilometers near Sunsan Tunnel on the Seohaean Line, and 5 kilometers near Yeoju Junction on the Jungbu Inland Line.
The expressway corporation predicts that congestion on the outbound routes will continue until around 4 to 5 p.m. and will clear by 7 to 8 p.m.
Nationwide traffic volume is projected to reach approximately 5.9 million vehicles, with 380,000 vehicles moving from the metropolitan area to the provinces and 520,000 vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.
In Seoul, the increase in return traffic is causing congestion on major roads. According to the Seoul Traffic Information System, congestion is reported on the northbound sections of Gangbyeonbuk-ro, particularly between the northern end of Gayang Bridge and the northern end of Seogang Bridge, as well as between the northern end of Banpo Bridge and the northern end of Seongsu Bridge.
Olympic Boulevard is also experiencing slow traffic on northbound sections between the southern end of Gayang Bridge and the southern end of Yanghwa Bridge, and between the southern end of Seongsu Bridge and the southern end of Yeongdong Bridge.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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