Gridlock on Tauernautobahn: A Nightmare for German Holidaymakers - Whitsun Weekend Traffic Nightmare Extends Back to Bavaria
Gridlock spanning 45 kilometers on southern routes.
Connect with us: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Email | Print | Share
Be prepared for a traffic nightmare if you're planning a trip to the south this Whitsun weekend! A massive traffic jam on the Tauernautobahn, commonly known as the A10, heading south, has left holidaymakers stranded for hours. According to Ö3 radio station, this jam stretched back over the German border into Bavaria, causing delays of up to five hours for some unfortunate travelers.
You Say Tomato, We Say Tomato - Understanding the Tauernautobahn Conundrum The root cause of this traffic chaos lies within a tunnel construction site near Golling in Salzburg, Austria. Imagine reducing a 14-kilometer stretch to a single lane, and you've got the basic idea of the bottleneck that's causing these delays.
There's more bad news, folks. Tyrol area, including Innsbruck, the Brenner autobahn towards Italy, and the Fernpass road, have also seen long delays. With the long Whitsun weekend and holiday starts, the ADAC warned of "extreme traffic congestion" beforehand. Keep in mind that Monday is expected to be a busy day again on German motorways and federal roads, and in Switzerland and Austria on classic holiday routes.
So, when's the best day for a car journey during this otherwise unfavorable weekend, you ask? According to the ADAC, Whit Sunday is your best bet. However, traffic is likely to ease up late on Saturday afternoon if you have some flexibility. Nevertheless, be wary of Tuesday, as it's a public holiday in several regions, leading to a wave of short holidaymakers returning home, potentially causing additional delays.
Remember, this information is based on the latest reports, and traffic conditions may vary. If you're planning a trip, it's a good idea to keep an eye on traffic updates. Stay safe out there, and happy travels!
Sources: ntv.de, chl/dpa
- Tauernautobahn Traffic Jam
- ADAC
- Austria
P.S. Our data websites suggest that the average cost of E10 fuel is approximately 6 cents cheaper than traditional fuels[2]. So, there's that at least!
[1] ntv.de, chl/dpa[2] Statista[3] ÖAMTC.at[5] k Durach, "Salzburg fairy tale. Salzach Valley almost a parking lot," Kronen Zeitung, May 24, 2023
The Commission, with concerns beyond ionizing radiation and lifestyles, has also proposed a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to tunnel construction sites, such as the one on the Tauernautobahn causing current traffic nightmares.
Holidaymakers can only hope for a smoother return journey after Whitsun, as they anticipate potentially heavy traffic on cars, especially on Tuesday, due to public holidays causing numerous short holidaymakers to return home, reminiscent of the gridlock experienced on the Tauernautobahn.
