The Day After Chuseok, Highway Traffic for Return Trip Still 'Smooth'... Busan to Seoul Takes 5 Hours 10 Minutes

Traffic congestion toward Gwikyung expected to start after 9 AM, peaking around 4-5 PM

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As of the morning of the 2nd, the day after Chuseok, the return traffic heading back to the Seoul metropolitan area after visiting their hometowns has begun, and nationwide highways are reported to be generally flowing smoothly.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 8 a.m. this morning, there are almost no congestion sections with speeds below 40 km/h on nationwide highways, and vehicles are moving at normal speeds in most sections. However, there is congestion on a 2 km section from Chuwol Integrated Circuit (IC) to Donggonjiam IC in the Wonju direction on the Gwangju-Wonju Line.

The Gyeongbu Expressway is flowing smoothly in both directions between Seoul and Busan. Other roads such as the Jungbu Expressway, Seohaean Expressway, Seoul Metropolitan Area 1st Ring Expressway (Seoul Outer Ring Road), and Gyeongin Line are also showing smooth traffic flow in both directions without major congestion so far. A Korea Expressway Corporation official said, "Normally, there would be congestion in many places from this time due to return traffic, but possibly due to the impact of COVID-19, fewer vehicles than expected are on the roads."

However, since the main return traffic is expected to continue from 9 a.m., congestion sections are anticipated to gradually increase. The Korea Expressway Corporation estimated the total traffic volume for the day to be 4.05 million vehicles. Among these, about 300,000 vehicles are estimated to be traveling from the Seoul metropolitan area to local regions via highways, and about 490,000 vehicles from local regions to the Seoul metropolitan area.

As of 10 a.m. today, the estimated travel times by passenger car from major cities nationwide to the Seoul Tollgate are: Busan 5 hours 10 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 50 minutes, Mokpo and Daegu 4 hours 10 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 30 minutes, Gangneung 3 hours 10 minutes, and Daejeon 1 hour 40 minutes, according to the Korea Expressway Corporation. The estimated travel times from the Seoul Tollgate to major cities nationwide are: Daejeon 1 hour 40 minutes, Gangneung 3 hours 30 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 20 minutes, Mokpo and Daegu 3 hours 50 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 40 minutes, and Busan 5 hours.

Return direction congestion is expected to start around 8 to 9 a.m., peak around 4 to 5 p.m., and clear around 11 p.m. to midnight. The Korea Expressway Corporation forecasted that the return direction will become congested in the late afternoon due to the last wave of return traffic, but it is expected to be similar to usual weekend levels.