Drivers across Andalucia are being urged to plan carefully as one of the busiest travel weekends of the spring gets underway.
Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, is launching a special operation from 3pm on Thursday, April 30, through to midnight on Sunday, May 3, with more than six million long-distance journeys expected across the country.
Although slightly lower than previous years, daily traffic volumes are actually set to increase, meaning congestion will still be significant.
The worst of it will begin on Thursday afternoon. From around 3pm onwards, major routes out of cities will start to clog up, with delays building steadily into the evening.
By late afternoon and night, traffic is expected to be heavy on the main roads heading towards coastal areas – including much of Andalucia – as well as routes leading to second homes and rural destinations.
Friday morning will bring little relief, with continued heavy traffic leaving urban areas and heading towards holiday hotspots.
Coastal routes and access roads to beach destinations across Andalucia are likely to be particularly busy.
While Saturday is expected to be more stable in terms of traffic, some movement will continue, especially with weekend travellers and early return journeys beginning later in the day.
The biggest problems are expected on Sunday, when the return operation begins.
From early afternoon onwards, congestion will build on major motorways heading back towards large cities, with traffic jams gradually spreading to access roads and urban entry points.
Andalucia is once again one of the most popular destinations for the long weekend, especially the Costa del Sol and Cadiz coastline.
This means not only heavy incoming traffic but also increased local congestion in tourist areas.
To manage the surge, the DGT is deploying its full range of resources, including Guardia Civil traffic officers, speed cameras, drones and helicopters.
Measures will also be introduced to ease pressure on the roads, such as reversible lanes during peak hours, alternative routes, suspension of roadworks and restrictions on certain heavy vehicles.
Authorities are warning that this year’s travel pattern could be particularly challenging, as a shorter holiday window means more journeys are concentrated into fewer days.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
