Traffic jam alert: Chaos expected on highways to Croatia and Italy!

Traffic jam alert: Chaos expected on highways to Croatia and Italy!

During the upcoming weekend from July 18th to 20th, 2025, turbulent traffic chaos is expected on the roads of Europe, especially on the classic holiday routes towards Croatia and Italy. The authorities are warning of kilometers of traffic jams as many travelers now start their summer holidays. The school holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia and parts of the Netherlands contribute significantly to the high traffic load, which has already caused massive traffic jams in the last few days. The A10 Tauern motorway and the border crossings to Slovenia and Croatia are particularly affected, with Merkur reporting that the situation there is already tense.

The ADAC also sees the traffic situation as tense. German motorways are particularly affected, as significant traffic jams are predicted. The A3 between Passau and Cologne, the A8 from Karlsruhe to Salzburg and the A9 from Berlin to Munich are on the list of particularly busy routes ADAC.

Tips for travelers

The critical days for travel fall on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, however, things will be a little more relaxed, but Monday will not be without challenges for returnees. Drivers should prepare for slow traffic on Sunday afternoon. The Austrian automobile club ÖAMTC also points out numerous construction sites in Austria that will make the journey even more difficult and make the formation of an emergency lane mandatory even when traffic is at a standstill. Non-compliance can be punished with fines of up to 320 euros.

In Croatia, the national automobile club HAK warns of heavy traffic on the A1 motorway, especially in the direction of Dalmatia. Travelers are advised to travel early in the morning or on weekdays and plan alternative routes. The border crossings into Slovenia, such as Macelj and Gruškovje, have waiting times of up to four hours, which makes planning trips even more complicated Merkur.

Traffic jam forecast and construction sites

With over 1,200 construction sites on German motorways, the risk of traffic jams is also increased for day trippers and those making last-minute decisions. Routes that are particularly at risk include the A1, A3 and A5. The ADAC also announced full closures for the weekend, for example on the A4 and A7, which could further hinder traffic. Therefore, if possible, you should choose the quieter travel days from Monday to Thursday outside of rush hour.

In summary, travelers should use the transport services of HAK, ÖAMTC and ASFINAG to receive up-to-date information on the traffic situation. Planning ahead and being flexible can help make the journey less stressful ADAC. If you prepare for your trip early, you have the best chance of having a relaxed start to your summer holiday.