Severe traffic congestions and slow-moving conditions may impede the initial phases of holiday travel, as per ADAC's insights. - Gridlock and covert speed-ups marked the initial stages of the holiday, according to ADAC reports.
Motorists planning trips during the upcoming summer holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) should brace themselves for increased traffic congestion, particularly on Fridays and weekends.
The Cologne/Bonn metropolitan area and the Ruhr region remain hotspots for traffic jams, with the Cologne ring road, Oberhausen/Duisburg (Kreuz Kaiserberg), and Bochum/Herne/Recklinghausen areas being particularly affected. Delays are also expected on major routes such as the A46 (Düsseldorf - Wuppertal), A52 (Düsseldorf - Essen), A57 (Cologne - Krefeld - Nimwegen), and A59 (Cologne - Bonn; Duisburg - Dinslaken).
Holiday travel typically increases traffic volume, especially on Fridays when people are heading to their destinations and on weekends when returning. The A40 (Dortmund - Essen - Duisburg - Straelen - Venlo), A42 (Dortmund - Oberhausen - Kamp-Lintfort), A43 (Wuppertal - Recklinghausen - Münster), and A45 (Dortmund - Hagen - Lüdenscheid) are among the routes that will experience congestion.
Heavy traffic is expected on routes towards the North and Baltic Sea coasts, the Netherlands, and on the way south in NRW. Exiting the highway during traffic jams in North Rhine-Westphalia is rarely helpful due to congested alternative routes.
In an attempt to manage traffic, heavy goods vehicles with a GVW over 7.5 tonnes are subject to restrictions on Saturdays between July 1 and August 31. These restrictions apply to several major motorways, including parts of the A1, A2, and A3 routes that pass through or near North Rhine-Westphalia. However, while these restrictions may help slightly reduce congestion on Saturdays, peak travel times will still likely see significant traffic volumes.
Popular regional airports like Münster/Osnabrück Airport (FMO) are expecting a high volume of passengers, which could also impact local traffic conditions, especially near the airport.
Vacationers should be aware of potential traffic jams beyond the NRW state border due to the start of the summer holidays in the north of the Netherlands. Traffic jams longer than ten kilometers or complete highway closures are the only exceptions when it may be beneficial to exit the highway.
The AACTravel wave (movement of traffic during the start of holidays) is expected to cause significant delays in North Rhine-Westphalia. To avoid rush hour traffic, the ADAC recommends starting summer holidays on Monday or Tuesday. Navigation systems may recommend alternative routes based on real-time information, but the predicted time saving is often minimal.
For families with children, it is important to have enough drinks and regular breaks with plenty of exercise during long car trips. During the summer holidays, traffic jams are also to be expected on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 am to 9 am and 2 pm to 6 pm.
In conclusion, while truck restrictions on Saturdays may help slightly reduce congestion, peak travel times will still likely see significant traffic volumes. Motorists are advised to drive at off-peak times, i.e. early in the morning or in the evening, to avoid traffic jams. It is also important to plan routes carefully, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for potential delays.
- Vacationers visiting North Rhine-Westphalia during the summer holidays should consider opting for off-peak travel times, such as early mornings or evenings, to avoid the heaviest traffic congestion caused by the AACTravel wave.
- In addition to planning open-road trips carefully, families should also be aware that traffic jams are likely to occur on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 am to 9 am and 2 pm to 6 pm, making it important to have sufficient drinks and regular breaks for their children during long car journeys.
