Holiday Return Traffic Jam on Last Day... Busan to Seoul Takes 4 Hours 50 Minutes

On the 30th, during the Lunar New Year holiday, traffic congestion continues on the southbound lanes (right side) of the Gyeongbu Expressway as seen from Jamwon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] On the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 2nd, traffic congestion continues on major highways nationwide as people return home.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 4:30 PM on this day, the Seoul-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway are moving slowly over a total of 39 km, including a 10 km section from Biryong Junction to Hoedeok Junction, a 10 km section near Cheongju to Oksan Junction, as well as near Yeongdong 1 Tunnel to Yeongdong 1 Tunnel, and from Sintanjin to Jukam Rest Area. On the Busan-bound lanes, vehicles are unable to maintain normal speed over a 14 km section including 8 km near Cheonan to Mokcheon.

The Seoul-bound lanes of the Seohaean Expressway are congested over a total of 13 km, including 9 km near Dangjin to Seohae Bridge, 3 km near Dong Gunsan, and 1 km near Geumcheon. The Hanam-bound lanes of the Jungbu Expressway are moving slowly over a total of 21 km, including 8 km from Nami Junction to near Seo Cheongju, 6 km near Jincheon Tunnel to near Jincheon, and 7 km near Gyeonggi Gwangju Junction to near Jungbu 1 Tunnel. The Incheon-bound lanes of the Yeongdong Expressway are moving slowly only over a 3 km section near Yangji to Yangji Tunnel.

On the Seoul Capital Area First Ring Expressway, traffic is stop-and-go over a 5 km section from Seowoon Junction to Songnae in the Guri direction, and over a 1 km section near Sangil in the Ilsan direction.

The Korea Expressway Corporation forecasts nationwide traffic volume at 4.28 million vehicles today. It predicts 330,000 vehicles moving from the Seoul metropolitan area to other regions, and 460,000 vehicles moving from other regions to the Seoul metropolitan area. The congestion in the homebound direction is expected to clear between 10 PM and 11 PM.

As of 5 PM today, the estimated travel times by passenger car from major cities nationwide to the Seoul tollgate are: Busan 4 hours 50 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 30 minutes, Daegu 3 hours 50 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 50 minutes, Daejeon 2 hours 10 minutes, and Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes.