More than 1.17 million journeys are expected on Andalucia’s roads this weekend as one of the biggest summer getaways of the year gets underway.

The DGT traffic authority has launched a special operation for the August 15 holiday weekend, beginning at 3pm on Friday August 14 and continuing until midnight on Sunday.

Authorities are forecasting 1,178,100 journeys across Andalucia as residents and holidaymakers head towards second homes, beaches, mountain destinations and campsites.

Traffic will be particularly heavy on routes leading to the Costa del Sol and other coastal areas, while this year’s operation faces an added complication from the huge Niebla wildfire, which has affected roads across Huelva and Sevilla provinces.

Unlike some major holiday getaways, however, the DGT expects departures to be relatively spread out, taking place throughout Friday and into Saturday morning.

The return journey could prove more problematic, with traffic expected to build throughout Sunday afternoon as drivers head back towards Andalucia’s major cities.

Costa del Sol among expected traffic hotspots

Among the roads expected to experience the heaviest traffic is the A-7 Mediterranean motorway, which runs through Malaga, Granada and Almeria provinces.

The AP-7 along the Costa del Sol, including Malaga, Marbella and Estepona and continuing towards the Campo de Gibraltar, is also expected to experience increased traffic.

Other potential hotspots include the MA-20 Malaga ring road and the A-357 between Malaga, Cartama and the Guadalhorce Valley.

Across the rest of Andalucia, the DGT has highlighted the A-4 between Sevilla and Cordoba towards Madrid; the A-44 between Granada, Jaen and Motril; the A-45 between Malaga and Cordoba; the A-49 from Sevilla through Huelva towards Ayamonte; and the A-66 north from Sevilla towards Extremadura.

The A-92 through Sevilla, Granada and Almeria, the A-92M connection towards Malaga and the AP-4 between Sevilla, Jerez and Cadiz are also expected to carry significant volumes of holiday traffic.

Niebla wildfire causes disruption

Drivers travelling through parts of Huelva and Sevilla have been warned to take particular care because of disruption caused by the enormous Niebla forest fire.

The blaze has already burned through more than 31,000 hectares since it began a week ago and has spread from Huelva into Sevilla province.

Although firefighters have made significant progress on the northern and north-western flanks, the eastern sector has remained active around Pata del Caballo and towards Aznalcollar.

According to information included in the DGT’s special operation, 12 roads across Huelva and Sevilla have been affected.

In Huelva these include sections of the A-493, HU-3106, HU-4103, HU-5103, HU-5104, HU-6104, HU-6106, HU-6107 and HU-6108.

In Sevilla province, disruption has affected the SE-6400 around El Madroño, the SE-6402 between El Castillo de las Guardas and El Madroño and the SE-538 between Aznalcollar and El Madroño.

Conditions around the wildfire can change quickly, meaning motorists travelling through the affected area are being urged to check the latest road situation before setting off and obey closures and instructions from emergency services.

Operation Crossing the Strait adds to traffic

The holiday weekend also coincides with the massive annual Operation Crossing the Strait, adding another source of pressure to Andalucia’s road network.

Around 3.5 million people and 800,000 vehicles are expected to cross Spain during the wider operation as travellers make their way to ports for crossings to North Africa.

That means increased numbers of foreign-registered vehicles are expected on major routes through Andalucia, particularly those leading towards ports in the south.

The August 15 operation comes during what is already the busiest period of the year on the region’s roads.

The DGT expects around 23.4 million road journeys across Andalucia during July and August, including almost 12 million this month alone.

Extra police, helicopters and drones

Authorities are increasing surveillance accordingly.

The DGT’s traffic management centres in Malaga and Sevilla will operate around the clock, with more than 60 officials and technicians overseeing traffic flows, incidents and information for motorists.

The operation will also involve helicopters and drones, while the Guardia Civil’s traffic division will increase patrols on interurban roads and particularly busy routes.

The mass road getaway coincides with an exceptionally busy weekend at Malaga Airport.

Some 1,902 flights are scheduled between Friday and Sunday, representing 72% of all flights operating from Andalucia’s five main airports over the three-day period.

The combination of the August 15 holiday, the beginning of the Feria de Malaga, record levels of air travel and the traditional summer exodus means the Costa del Sol is likely to experience one of its busiest weekends of 2026.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.