Chuseok Morning Highway Congestion Nationwide... 7 Hours 40 Minutes from Seoul to Gwangju

Heavy Traffic for Chuseok Travelers
Nationwide Vehicle Movement Expected to Reach 6.67 Million
West Coast Expressway Most Congested Toward Mokpo at 6 p.m.
Toward Seoul at 3 p.m.

On the morning of Chuseok, highways across the country are crowded with vehicles heading to hometowns and returning travelers.

Map showing the estimated travel time between major cities as of 10 a.m. on the 6th. It takes 7 hours and 40 minutes from Seoul to Gwangju, and also 7 hours and 40 minutes from West Seoul to Mokpo.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 10 a.m. on the 6th, it took 7 hours and 40 minutes to travel from the Seoul tollgate to the Gwangju tollgate, and also 7 hours and 40 minutes from West Seoul to Mokpo. Return traffic was also heavy, with the journey from Gwangju to Seoul taking 7 hours and 30 minutes, and from Mokpo to the West Seoul tollgate also taking 7 hours and 30 minutes.

The Korea Expressway Corporation predicted that the West Coast Expressway would be most congested toward Mokpo at 6 p.m. and toward West Seoul at 3 p.m. It estimated that approximately 6.67 million vehicles would be on the move nationwide throughout the day.

An official from the Korea Expressway Corporation stated, "On Chuseok day, traffic volume is expected to be the highest during the holiday period due to visits to ancestral graves, family gatherings, and outings," adding, "Traffic congestion is expected in both directions." The official further explained, "From the afternoon, congestion toward Seoul will be the most severe as return traffic intensifies."