Chuseok Outbound Traffic Eases, But Major Return-to-Seoul Congestion Begins... 8 Hours 10 Minutes from Busan to Seoul

Return-to-Seoul Traffic Expected to Peak Between 3 and 5 p.m.

Major Roads in Seoul, Including Olympic Expressway and Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Also Congested

On Chuseok Day, September 25, traffic congestion for those heading to their hometowns peaked in the afternoon and has somewhat eased. However, with the number of vehicles returning to Seoul increasing, severe congestion is now occurring on various highways toward the capital. The return-to-Seoul traffic jam is expected to reach its peak between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on this day.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 2 p.m. on September 25, the estimated travel times from the Seoul tollgate to major cities around the country are as follows: 7 hours and 20 minutes to Busan, 7 hours and 20 minutes to Ulsan, 6 hours and 40 minutes to Daegu, 6 hours to Mokpo, 5 hours and 40 minutes to Gwangju, 4 hours and 20 minutes to Gangneung, and 3 hours and 50 minutes to Daejeon.

Conversely, travel times from each region back to Seoul are estimated as: 8 hours and 10 minutes from Busan, 7 hours and 50 minutes from Ulsan, 7 hours and 10 minutes each from Mokpo and Daegu, 6 hours and 40 minutes from Gwangju, 4 hours and 30 minutes from Daejeon, and 4 hours and 10 minutes from Gangneung.

On the 25th, traffic congestion is occurring on the southbound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway near Jamwon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Compared to the morning, the expected travel time for those leaving Seoul for other regions has dropped by up to about one hour. However, the travel time for vehicles returning to Seoul has actually increased.

Congestion continues in both directions on major expressways. On the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Seoul, traffic flow is slow for 18 kilometers from the vicinity of Bukcheon-an to the Anseong rest area, and for 10 kilometers from Dallaenae to Banpo.

In the direction of Busan, traffic jams are occurring for 10 kilometers from Hoedeok Junction to Biryeong Junction, and for 18 kilometers from Manghyang rest area to Cheonan-Hodu rest area.

On the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, vehicles are unable to reach normal speeds for 14 kilometers from around Deokso-Sampae to Seojong in the direction of Yangyang, and for 12 kilometers from Seojong to Hwado toward Seoul.

On the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway toward Gwangju, congestion continues for 21 kilometers from around Nongong rest area to Haeinsa. On the Gwangju-Wonju Expressway toward Wonju, there is a 10-kilometer stretch of congestion from Dongyangpyeong to Seowonju. On the Seohaean Expressway toward Seoul, heavy traffic is also being reported for 12 kilometers near Pyeongtaek Junction to Hwaseong rest area.

Major roads within Seoul are also experiencing congestion. On the Olympic Expressway, slow traffic continues from the southern end of Dongho Bridge to the southern end of Banghwa Bridge on the way inbound, and on the outbound lanes from the southern end of Hangju Bridge to Banghwa Bridge, as well as from Yanghwa Bridge to Yeoui Sangryu IC. Gangbyeonbuk-ro is also experiencing jams and slowdowns in both directions at several points.

The Korea Expressway Corporation predicts that outbound traffic congestion peaked between 1 and 2 p.m. and will ease by 7 to 8 p.m. Return-to-Seoul traffic is expected to be most severe between 3 and 5 p.m., with congestion projected to finally clear by around 2 to 3 a.m. on the following day, September 26.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.