©Kathy via Unsplash
European highways will be busy on Saturday, with France once again posing the biggest bottleneck for holiday makers.
Traffic organizations VAB and Touring expect a “code red” situation in several countries on Saturday for those heading south, while they predict Sunday will be calmer. France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, in particular, will face heavy vacation traffic and potential delays.
France: A traffic hub
France remains the top destination for both transit and vacations, which directly impacts routes to the Mediterranean, the Atlantic coast, Normandy, and the Alps. Special attention is being paid to the A6, the Autoroute du Soleil, which remains partially closed due to the wildfire in Fontainebleau. The road may reopen on Friday, but for now, detours are in place via the A5, A19, A37, and RN37, among others, depending on the direction of travel and point of departure.
Impending stormy weather
VAB also warns of severe thunderstorms in mountainous areas, particularly in the Alps and the Pyrenees. Travelers are advised to check their insurance coverage in advance, especially in countries where severe weather can quickly disrupt traffic. The combination of heavy traffic, roadwork, and thunderstorms makes today’s travel particularly risky.
Heavy traffic is also expected in Germany, with bottlenecks on the A3, A5, A7, A8, and A9, among others. In southern Germany, particularly in Bavaria and the Black Forest, there is a chance of thunderstorms, especially toward the Alps. Roadwork could further increase delays.
In Austria, traffic is heaviest on the north-south routes, with the Brenner Autobahn, the Fernpass route, and the Tauern Autobahn being the main areas of concern. In Tyrol, exit bans are in effect on the Inntalautobahn on weekends to prevent through traffic. Switzerland also expects heavy traffic around Zurich, the Gotthard Tunnel, and San Bernardino, especially toward Italy.
Forest fire
Due to the wildfire near Fontainebleau, traffic around Paris remains particularly vulnerable. Although the situation on the ground is gradually improving, the A6 has not yet been fully reopened, and detours remain necessary. Travelers hitting the road on Saturday are therefore advised to check their route both before departure and while on the road.
©Kathy via Unsplash - illustrative image of traffic jams