Essential Travel Tips: Avoiding Traffic Jams on Korea’s Highways During the May Holidays

Translation result [Herald Economy = Reporter Lee Myung-su] Traffic is expected to be heavier than usual on Saturday, the 2nd — the second day of the extended holiday covering Labor Day and Children’s Day.

According to Newsis, the Korea Expressway Corporation expects about 5.81 million vehicles on the nation’s highways that day. It estimates roughly 440,000 vehicles will depart the Seoul metropolitan area for the provinces, while about 460,000 vehicles will travel from the provinces into the metro area.

Officials warned that major routes, including the Yeongdong and West Coast expressways, are likely to be congested in both directions.

Traffic heading out of the metro toward the provinces is expected to begin slowing between 7 and 8 a.m., peak between 11 a.m. and noon, and ease around 10–11 p.m.

Traffic toward Seoul will start to slow between 9 and 10 a.m., reach its worst between 5 and 6 p.m., and return to normal flow by about 11 p.m.–midnight.

As of 9:05 a.m., delays on the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Seoul include the Suwon area — 3 km (1.9 mi) — and the Yangjae–Banpo section — 7 km (4.3 mi). Southbound toward Busan, slowdowns were reported near Singal Junction–Suwon — 3 km (1.9 mi); Osan–Namsa — 6 km (3.7 mi); Buk-Cheonan–Cheonan — 10 km (6.2 mi); Cheonan Junction–Independence Hall — 6 km (3.7 mi); Oksan Rest Area–Oksan Hi — 2 km (1.2 mi); and between Daejeon Tunnel and Biryong Junction — 2 km (1.2 mi).

On the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung, traffic was slow around Banwol Tunnel–Dundae Junction — 2 km (1.2 mi); Dong-Gunpo–Bugok — 2 km (1.2 mi); the Maseong Tunnel–Yangji Tunnel area — 9 km (5.6 mi); near Hobup Junction — 3 km (1.9 mi); and in the vicinity of Wonju — 3 km (1.9 mi).

On the West Coast Expressway toward Mokpo, vehicles repeatedly stalled around Paltan Junction–Hwaseong Rest Area — 6 km (3.7 mi); the Bal-an area — 2 km (1.2 mi); and between Seopyeongtaek Junction and the Seohae Bridge — 15 km (9.3 mi).

On the Jungbu Expressway heading toward Namyi, expect slowdowns near Gyeonggi Gwangju Junction — 1 km (0.6 mi); Hobup Junction–Moga area — 3 km (1.9 mi); near Jincheon–Jincheon Tunnel — 6 km (3.7 mi); and from Cheongju Gangseo Hi-Pass to Namyi Junction — 3 km (1.9 mi).

On the Seoul–Yangyang Expressway toward Yangyang, traffic was heavy through the Deokso–Sampae to Seojong stretch, about 15 km (9.3 mi).

As of 11 a.m. at toll gates, estimated travel times on southbound routes between major cities are: Seoul–Busan, 7 hours 10 minutes; Seoul–Daegu, 6 hours 10 minutes; Seoul–Gwangju, 4 hours 30 minutes; Seoul–Daejeon, 2 hours 50 minutes; Seoul–Gangneung, 4 hours 30 minutes; Seoul–Ulsan, 6 hours 50 minutes; and Seoul–Mokpo, 5 hours 30 minutes.

Northbound estimates are: Busan–Seoul, 6 hours; Daegu–Seoul, 5 hours; Gwangju–Seoul, 3 hours 20 minutes; Daejeon–Seoul, 1 hour 40 minutes; Gangneung–Seoul, 2 hours 40 minutes; Ulsan–Seoul, 5 hours 40 minutes; and Mokpo–Seoul, 4 hours.