Afternoon Traffic Jam Peaks on Expressway Homebound Route Between 3 and 4 PM

On the 24th, the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, the number of vehicles heading home increased near Suwon Singil IC on the Gyeongbuk Expressway, in the direction of Busan (left side). / Suwon - Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 27th, road conditions are expected to be smoother than the previous day. However, nationwide highways will begin to experience congestion toward Seoul starting from 9 a.m.

As of 8:30 a.m., traffic flow on major highways is smooth. The Korea Expressway Corporation forecasted that congestion on highways heading to Seoul will start between 9 and 10 a.m., peaking around 3 to 4 p.m. Traffic toward hometowns is expected to be smooth except for some sections. The corporation explained, "Some sections are expected to be congested from the afternoon, but conditions will be better than on the 26th," adding, "Traffic congestion will resemble the usual level seen on Sundays."

The Korea Expressway Corporation estimated the nationwide traffic volume to be 3.56 million vehicles on this day. Approximately 290,000 vehicles will travel from the metropolitan area to provinces, and 420,000 vehicles will travel from provinces to the metropolitan area. The estimated travel times by passenger car departing at 9 a.m. from major cities nationwide to Seoul tollgate are: Busan 5 hours, Ulsan 4 hours 40 minutes, Mokpo 4 hours 10 minutes (based on Seo Seoul tollgate), Daegu 3 hours 50 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 40 minutes, Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes, and Daejeon 1 hour 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, toll fees were waived on highways from the 24th to the 26th, but on the last day of the holiday, tolls will be charged as usual.