Traffic Jams Across Highways on First Day of Holiday... Seoul to Busan Takes 4 Hours 50 Minutes

Congestion Expected to Clear Around 8-9 PM Toward Homebound Direction and 7-8 PM Toward Return Direction

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Traffic congestion continues on various expressways nationwide from the first day of the Chuseok holiday.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 1:20 PM on the 18th, the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Busan is congested over a total of 51 km, including 4 km from Hannam to Seocho, 9 km from Dongtan Junction to Namsa, 24 km from Cheonan Rest Area to Nami Junction, and 9 km from Hoedeok Junction to Biryong Junction. In the direction toward Seoul, vehicles are moving slowly over 13 km, including 1 km near Geumho Junction exit, 3 km from Anseong Rest Area to Namsa, 2 km near Suwon to Suwon, and 7 km near Yangjae to Banpo.

The Seohaean Expressway heading toward Mokpo is congested over a total of 49 km, including 15 km near Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohae Bridge and 21 km near Dongseocheon Junction to near Donggunsan.

The Capital Region 1st Circular Expressway is congested over a total of 12 km, including 6 km from Gyeyang to Songnae in the direction of Guri, and 12 km from near Sorae Tunnel to Songnae in the direction of Ilsan.

The Jungbu Expressway is congested over 28 km only in the direction of Nami, including the area near Ochang to Nami Junction.

As of 2 PM on the same day, the estimated travel times from Seoul Tollgate to major cities are 4 hours 50 minutes to Busan, 4 hours 30 minutes to Ulsan, 3 hours 50 minutes to Daegu, 3 hours 30 minutes to Gwangju, 2 hours 10 minutes to Daejeon, and 2 hours 40 minutes to Gangneung. The Expressway Corporation expects congestion in the outbound direction to ease around 8 to 9 PM, while congestion in the return direction is expected to clear around 7 to 8 PM.