Germany braces for massive traffic jams as thousands travel to Croatia for Pentecost

The ADAC has warned that the weekend of Pentecost (May 22‑25, 2026) will see severe congestion on the main routes from southern Germany to the Adriatic coast. Heavy traffic is expected on the A8, A93, A7, A10 and A9 corridors, with the most critical periods on Friday between 11:00‑19:00, Saturday 10:00‑15:00 and Monday 13:00‑18:00. Sunday (May 24) is predicted to be the calmest travel day.

Additional disruptions are expected from a planned demonstration that will close the Brenner Autobahn (A13) on May 30, causing further delays on the Austrian border. Drivers are also facing temporary traffic bans in parts of Upper Bavaria, the Allgäu and Tirol, with fines up to €50 for illegal detours, and stricter border checks at Kiefersfelden, Walserberg and Suben may add waiting times before the main holiday jam begins.