German Motorists Face Busy Weekend Ahead of Autumn Holiday

German motorists face a busy weekend ahead, with heavy traffic expected on major routes due to the upcoming autumn holiday. On Friday, heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are banned from motorways to ease congestion, coinciding with Germany's Unity Day.

Traffic jams are already anticipated for the afternoon of the first day of the long weekend. The ADAC estimates that many will use the extended weekend for short vacations, leading to increased traffic on major highways. Drivers on routes to alpine and middle mountain regions, as well as coastal areas in northern Germany, should expect heavy traffic, with congestion also anticipated on homeward routes from regions where autumn holidays end.

Thursday afternoon and Sunday are predicted to be the busiest, while Saturday is expected to be relatively quiet. In Baden-Württemberg, major highways in the southwest, including A5, A6, A8, and A81, are likely to be heavily congested. Neighboring countries' major roads, particularly the Tauern, Inntal, Rheintal, Fernpass, Brenner, and Gotthard routes, are also expected to have heavy traffic. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Thursday's school-free day may contribute to increased traffic.

Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly, avoid peak travel times if possible, and stay updated on traffic reports. The ban on heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on motorways on Friday is intended to help ease congestion during this busy period.