Traffic Jams Continue on Highways Across the Country on the First Day of Chuseok Holiday... Seoul to Busan Takes 4 Hours 30 Minutes

On the afternoon of the 18th, when the Chuseok holiday began, traffic congestion occurred near Osan IC on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Osan-si, Gyeonggi-do, in the direction of Busan (left). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] On the first day of the Chuseok holiday, the 18th, traffic congestion continues on various expressways nationwide in the afternoon.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 5 p.m. on the 18th, the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Busan is congested over a total of 52 km in sections including Hannam to Seocho (4 km), near Singal Junction to Suwon (4 km), Osan to Namsa (5 km), Cheonan Rest Area to near Cheongju (19 km), near South Cheongju to Jukam Rest Area (4 km), Hoedeok Junction to Biryong Junction (10 km), and near Geumho Junction to near Bukdaegu (6 km). In the direction toward Seoul, vehicles are moving slowly over 5 km sections including near Bukdaegu to Geumho Junction (3 km) and near Namsa to Namsa (2 km).

The Seohaean Expressway is also congested over a total of 18 km in sections including Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohae Bridge (11 km) and near Seosan to near Unsan Tunnel (7 km) heading toward Mokpo.

The Capital Region 1st Ring Expressway is experiencing slow traffic over a total of 10 km in the Ilsan direction including Gimpo Tollgate to Jayuro (3 km), Namyangju to near Sangil (5 km), and Hanam Junction to near Gwangam Tunnel (2 km). In the Guri direction, vehicles are crawling over a total of 15 km in sections including near Seo Hanam to Gwangam Tunnel (4 km), near Sangil to Gangil (2 km), Gyeyang to Songnae (7 km), and Siheung Rest Area to Jonam Junction (2 km).

The Jungbu Expressway is congested only in the Nami direction over a total of 12 km, combining the sections near Jincheon to near Jincheon Tunnel (6 km) and Seo Cheongju to Nami Junction (6 km).

Estimated Travel Time Between Major Cities (Image Source: Korea Expressway Corporation)

As of 5 p.m. on this day, the travel times from Seoul Tollgate to major cities are 4 hours 30 minutes to Busan, 4 hours 10 minutes to Ulsan, 3 hours 30 minutes to Daegu, 3 hours 20 minutes to Gwangju, 1 hour 30 minutes to Daejeon, and 2 hours 40 minutes to Gangneung, showing that congestion is somewhat easing in most sections.

The Expressway Corporation expects congestion to clear around 8 to 9 p.m. for outbound traffic and around 7 to 8 p.m. for inbound traffic.