Traffic Congestion on Major Highways During Chuseok
On the morning of the 6th, which marked Chuseok, traffic congestion was reported on major highways across the country. The day saw a significant number of vehicles heading towards hometowns and returning to the capital, leading to extended travel times.
According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 8 a.m., the estimated travel times from Seoul tollgate to major cities nationwide were as follows:
- Busan: 6 hours and 50 minutes
- Ulsan: 6 hours and 30 minutes
- Mokpo: 6 hours
- Daegu: 5 hours and 50 minutes
- Gwangju: 5 hours and 40 minutes
- Gangneung: 3 hours
- Daejeon: 2 hours and 20 minutes
In the reverse direction, from each city to Seoul, the travel times were:
- Busan: 6 hours and 50 minutes
- Ulsan: 6 hours and 30 minutes
- Daegu: 5 hours and 50 minutes
- Mokpo: 5 hours and 10 minutes
- Gwangju: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Gangneung: 3 hours and 10 minutes
- Daejeon: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Specific Congestion Points
On the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Seoul, congestion persisted in a 7 km section from Yangjae to Banpo and a 2 km section from Chilgok Junction to Chilgok Junction.
Toward Busan, delays occurred in several areas, including:
- A 2 km section from Daejeon Tunnel to Biryong Junction
- A 5 km section from near Oksan Junction to Oksan
- An 11 km section from Cheonan Junction to Cheonan Hodu Rest Area
- An 8 km section from near Bukcheonan to Cheonan
On the West Sea (Yellow Sea) Expressway toward Mokpo, slow-moving traffic was reported in the following sections:
- A 12 km stretch from Seopyeongtaek Junction to West Sea (Yellow Sea) Bridge
- A 16 km area from Bibong to Banan
- A 5 km segment from Seoseoul Tollgate to Sansa Tunnel
The Jungbu Expressway toward Nami experienced stop-and-go traffic in a 2 km section from Hobeap Junction to Moga and a 2 km stretch from Majang Junction to Hobeap Junction.
On the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung, congestion was observed in a 6 km section from Yongin to Yangji Tunnel and a 4 km area from Maseong Tunnel to Yongin.
Predictions for Congestion Patterns
The Korea Expressway Corporation predicted that congestion in the hometown-bound direction would begin between 6–7 a.m., peak between 3–4 p.m., and ease around 11 p.m. to midnight on the 7th.
For the capital-bound direction, congestion was expected to start between 7–8 a.m., reach its peak between 4–5 p.m., and clear between 1–2 a.m. on the 7th.
Nationwide Traffic Volume
The corporation estimated that approximately 6.67 million vehicles traveled nationwide on the day. Of this, 490,000 vehicles were expected to move from the capital region to local areas, while 480,000 vehicles were anticipated to travel from local areas to the capital region.
