On the second day of the holiday, May 2, the Korea Expressway Corporation estimated that 5.81 million vehicles would use highways nationwide and warned of heavy congestion on major routes.
The agency said roughly 440,000 vehicles would travel from the Seoul metropolitan area to the provinces, while about 460,000 would head into the capital region from the provinces.
Officials expect severe slowdowns in both directions on key corridors, including the Yeongdong and West Coast expressways.
Traffic toward the provinces is expected to begin backing up between 7 and 8 a.m., peak between 11 a.m. and noon, and not ease until around 10–11 p.m.
Roads heading into Seoul will start slowing between 9 and 10 a.m., reach their worst congestion around 5–6 p.m., and are expected to return to normal flow by about 11 p.m. to midnight.
As of 9:05 a.m., major congestion points included: on the Gyeongbu Expressway northbound toward Seoul, the Suwon area ~ Suwon 3㎞ (1.9 miles) and Yangjae ~ Banpo 7㎞ (4.3 miles).
Southbound toward Busan, traffic was stalled at Singal junction ~ Suwon 3㎞ (1.9 miles); Osan ~ Namsa 6㎞ (3.7 miles); Buk Cheonan ~ Cheonan 10㎞ (6.2 miles); Cheonan junction ~ Independence Hall area 6㎞ (3.7 miles); Oksan rest area ~ Oksan Hi 2㎞ (1.2 miles); and Daejeon tunnel ~ Biryong junction 2㎞ (1.2 miles).
On the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung, jams were reported near Banwol Tunnel ~ Dundae junction 2㎞ (1.2 miles); Donggunpo ~ Bugok 2㎞ (1.2 miles); Maseong Tunnel ~ Yangji Tunnel area 9㎞ (5.6 miles); Hobup junction ~ Hobup junction area 3㎞ (1.9 miles); and around Wonju ~ Wonju 3㎞ (1.9 miles).
On the West Coast Expressway bound for Mokpo, vehicles repeatedly slowed near Paltan junction ~ Hwaseong rest area 6㎞ (3.7 miles); Balan ~ Balan area 2㎞ (1.2 miles); and Seopyeongtaek junction ~ Seohae Bridge 15㎞ (9.3 miles).
On the Jungbu Expressway toward Namyi, congestion was concentrated near the Gyeonggi Gwangju junction area ~ Gyeonggi Gwangju junction area 1㎞ (0.6 miles); Hobup junction ~ Moga area 3㎞ (1.9 miles); Jincheon area ~ Jincheon tunnel area 6㎞ (3.7 miles); and Cheongju Gangseo Hi-pass ~ Namyi junction 3㎞ (1.9 miles).
On the Seoul–Yangyang Expressway toward Yangyang, traffic was slow on the Deokso–Sampae ~ Seojong stretch for 15㎞ (9.3 miles).
As of 11 a.m. at toll booths, expected travel times on outbound routes 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.
On inbound routes, officials forecast: 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.
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