Germany faces heavy highway congestion as summer holidays begin

The start of summer holidays in several German states has triggered a surge in road traffic. The ADAC warns that Friday afternoon and evening will see a sharp rise in vehicles as commuters and holiday‑makers share the highways. Saturday morning traffic is expected to be high on the main routes to the south, the Alps, the Baltic and North Sea coasts, and recreational areas, while Sunday afternoon and evening will bring strong return‑traffic.

Key corridors identified as especially vulnerable are the A9 (Berlin‑Halle‑Leipzig‑Nürnberg‑München), A10 (Berliner Ring), A11, A12, A13, A24 (Berliner Ring‑Pritzwalk‑Schwerin‑Hamburg) and A100 (Berliner Stadtring). Over 1,000 construction sites across Germany add to delays, and the ADAC’s 10‑12 July forecast predicts long queues, particularly on routes to the Alps and coastal destinations. The European Automobile Club (ACE) expects similar congestion in neighboring Austria, Switzerland and Italy, where major trans‑Alpine motorways are also congested. Travelers are advised to consider departing on quieter days such as Monday or Tuesday, to check real‑time traffic information before departure, and to avoid peak weekend hours where possible.