Hit the Road: Southwestern Germany's Notorious Holiday Trails
Southwest streets set to experience significant traffic congestion by the holiday's end - Southwest streets will be packed by holiday's end.
Got a car packed and ready to roll for a Southwestern road trip during the holiday weekend? Well, buckle up and brace yourself for some gridlock, particularly in the Baden-Württemberg region. That's right, according to ADAC Württemberg, motorways leading northward are likely to be swarming with vehicles as countless vacationers embark on a quick getaway.
But fear not, as Corpus Christi itself will most likely be traffic-free, with many short vacationers jetting off on Wednesday afternoon. If you're flexible with your travel schedule, opt for Thursday to dodge the worst of the traffic. During the weekend, try to hit the road before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to dodge those nasty jams.
Now, here's where things could get tricky. You'll want to steer clear of the following congested routes that are sure to snarl up your entire trip:
- A5 (Basel - Karlsruhe - Heidelberg)
- A6 (Nuremberg - Heilbronn - Mannheim)
- A7 (Füssen - Ulm - Würzburg)
- A8 (Munich - Stuttgart - Karlsruhe)
- A81 (Singen - Stuttgart - Heilbronn)
- Greater Stuttgart area
Keep in mind, there are several construction sites along the way that will only make things slower going. Be wary of the particularly constipated sections on the A8 near Pforzheim and a sluggish area on the A6 between the Walldorf interchange and Wiesloch.
In 2020, the dreaded traffic jam totaled a whopping 416 kilometers on the final day of the Whitsun holidays in the state, so it's safe to say you'll be dealing with some substantial slow-downs.
But the congestion doesn't stop at German borders. Neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland celebrate Corpus Christi as well, leading to potential backups on the Tauern and Brenner motorways and at the Gotthard tunnel. Expect a brutally hot summer, so remember to pack plenty of hydrating drinks and take regular breaks to avoid dehydration and heatstroke. Remember, it's never good to leave children or animals in a car during hot weather.
So there you have it! If you're planning to venture southwest during the holiday weekend, have your maps and patience at the ready. Safe travels!
