Busan to Seoul 6 Hours... Traffic Jam Clears Early Morning on the 11th

On the afternoon of the 10th, traffic congestion continues in both directions on major highways nationwide.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 5 p.m. on this day, the estimated travel time by passenger car from major city toll gates nationwide to Seoul is 6 hours from Busan, 5 hours 30 minutes from Ulsan, 5 hours 10 minutes from Gwangju, 5 hours from Daegu, 3 hours 30 minutes from Daejeon, and 3 hours 10 minutes from Gangneung.

On the afternoon of the 8th, one day before the Lunar New Year holiday, the Gyeongbu Expressway near Yangjae IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul, viewed from a police helicopter, is congested with vehicles returning home.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Conversely, the travel time from Seoul to each city is 5 hours 20 minutes to Busan, 4 hours 50 minutes to Ulsan, 4 hours 30 minutes to Gwangju, 4 hours 20 minutes to Daegu, and 2 hours 50 minutes to both Daejeon and Gangneung.

The Korea Expressway Corporation expects the nationwide traffic volume on this day to be 6.05 million vehicles. Traffic congestion heading home is expected to ease around 8 to 9 p.m., and traffic returning is expected to clear around 2 to 3 a.m. on the 11th.

On the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Seoul, vehicle movement is delayed in sections including Geumto Junction to Banpo (11 km), near Giheung to Jukjeon Rest Area (10 km), near Cheongju Rest Area to near Anseong Rest Area (46 km), Namcheongju to near Oksan (17 km), near Biryong Junction to near Daejeon (9 km), near Yeongdong to Yeongdong 1 Tunnel (6 km), Geumho Junction to near Chilgok Junction (5 km), and Yangsan Junction to near Yangsan (7 km).

On the Gyeongbu Line heading toward Busan, congestion occurs in areas such as Hannam to Seocho (4 km), Seoul Tollgate to Suwon (11 km), near Osan to near Namsa (6 km), Manghyang Rest Area to Cheonan Junction (10 km), Cheonan Rest Area to near Jukam Rest Area (35 km), near Okcheon Rest Area to near Okcheon 4 Tunnel (9 km), near Geumho Junction (3 km), near Gyeongju to Hwalcheon (9 km), Eonyang Junction to Seoul Mountain (3 km), and near Tongdosa Rest Area to near Yangsan (8 km).

On the Seohaean Expressway heading toward Seoul, traffic is slow in sections including Mokgam to Geumcheon (8 km), Bibong to Palgok Tunnel (8 km), Seopyeongtaek Junction to Hwaseong Rest Area (10 km), Dangjin Junction to Seohae Bridge (20 km), Seosan Rest Area to Seosan Tunnel (6 km), near Seocheon to near Jongcheon Tunnel (5 km), Gunsan to Dongseocheon Junction (6 km), Goin-dol Rest Area to near Seonunsan (6 km), and Mokpo Tollgate to near Mongtan 2 Tunnel (7 km).

On the Jungbu Expressway heading toward Hanam, speeds are slow in areas including near Sangok Junction to Hanam Junction (7 km), Majang Junction to near Gonjiam Junction (11 km), Iljuk to Hobup Junction (16 km), near Ochang Junction to near Jincheon Tunnel (9 km), and Nami Junction to near Seo-cheongju (7 km).

On the Yeongdong Expressway heading toward Gangneung, traffic repeatedly stops and goes in sections including near Yeoju Rest Area to Yeoju Junction (3 km), Yongin Rest Area to near Yangji Tunnel (3 km), and near Banwol Tunnel to Bugok (8 km).