Traffic Troubles Over the Weekend: Essential Information for Travelers - Essential Information for Travelers
As the 2025 summer holiday season approaches, German drivers are advised to brace themselves for particularly severe traffic congestion. This is due to a combination of factors, including typical vacation travel surges, heat-related road damage, and traffic restrictions affecting heavy trucks.
The German highways, or Autobahns, especially in popular holiday regions and key corridors, are expected to face significant congestion. Emergency repair work is underway on some highways after extreme heat caused cracks in the concrete, notably in the Ruhr area of North Rhine-Westphalia, where a section will be completely closed in one direction from Friday evening to Monday morning.
Truck traffic restrictions also play a significant role in the anticipated congestion. Many highways and certain federal roads have heavy truck bans every Saturday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM between early July and the end of August, particularly affecting vehicles over 7.5 tons. These bans lead trucks to use alternative routes, which can increase congestion on smaller roads.
Neighbouring countries such as Austria are also impacted by truck bans. Motorways A12, A13, and A14 are specifically affected during similar periods on Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, which affects routes towards Italy (Brenner route).
The staggered start of summer vacations across the 16 German federal states influences traffic peaks. For example, while Saxony’s holidays began in late June, Bavaria’s only start in early August, distributing holiday travel over weeks but still creating heavy loads on some routes at differing times.
To navigate this challenging traffic situation, the ADAC recommends using the Autobahn GmbH app, which offers real-time traffic updates and an alternative route map tailored to handle the truck restrictions and roadworks. It is also suggested to plan travel times carefully, avoid driving during peak restriction hours for trucks, and expect delays near highway repair zones, particularly in the Ruhr region and other affected areas prone to heat damage.
International travelers passing through key transit routes like the Brenner Pass into Italy should respect the Austrian truck bans and plan accordingly to avoid getting stuck in extended queues or fines. It is also recommended to plan sufficient breaks during travel and to travel midweek and avoid peak hours to minimize delays.
Heavy traffic is also expected abroad, especially on transit routes over the Alps. Those who can travel on quieter days may reach their destination more relaxed. Many day-trippers and last-minute travelers are also on the road, contributing to the increased traffic.
Particularly busy routes in Germany include the A5 between Karlsruhe and Basel, the A6 from Mannheim to Nuremberg, and the A8 between Karlsruhe, Munich, and Salzburg. Holidays have also begun in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, further contributing to the increased traffic. The heaviest traffic is expected on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon.
The ADAC has announced heavy traffic is expected on highways heading south this weekend due to summer holidays in nine federal states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Hesse, and others. Weekend exit closures are expected on the Inn valley motorway in Austria, and there are repair works with occasional night closures at the Pfändertunnel in Austria.
In summary, holiday drivers should remain flexible, use live traffic information tools, and prepare for delays caused by infrastructure repairs and truck restrictions both in Germany and neighbouring countries. By travelling outside peak hours and using recommended alternative routes, drivers can substantially ease their journey.
- In addition to the expected traffic congestion due to vacation travel and road repairs, lifestyle choices such as a prevalence of car ownership may exacerbate the situation on the German Autobahns this summer.
- To avoid prolonged delays and potential inconvenience during travel, travelers are advised to plan their trips around the restrictions on truck traffic and consider altering their travel plans to coincide with the lifestyle of a 'nomadic' worker, taking advantage of midweek travel and off-peak hours.
