On the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the traffic congestion for returning home continues on highways nationwide on the 30th. The congestion is expected to peak around 5 to 6 p.m.
According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 9 a.m. on the 30th, the estimated travel times from major toll gates to Seoul are 7 hours and 40 minutes from Busan, 7 hours and 10 minutes from Ulsan, 6 hours and 40 minutes from Daegu, 5 hours and 50 minutes from Mokpo, 5 hours from Gwangju, 2 hours and 50 minutes from Gangneung, and 2 hours and 30 minutes from Daejeon.
From Seoul to the major cities, it is projected to take 7 hours and 10 minutes to Busan, 6 hours and 40 minutes to Ulsan, 6 hours and 10 minutes to Daegu, 5 hours and 40 minutes to Mokpo, 5 hours and 20 minutes to Gangneung, 5 hours and 10 minutes to Gwangju, 4 hours to Yangyang, and 3 hours to Daejeon.
On this last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, traffic is expected to increase compared to a typical Thursday.
According to the expressway corporation, the traffic congestion for returning home is expected to start around 8 to 9 a.m. and reach its peak around 5 to 6 p.m. It is expected to clear around 3 to 4 a.m. on the 31st.
Traffic congestion in the direction of going home is expected to start around 7 to 8 a.m. and be severe around noon to 1 p.m. It is expected to clear around 11 to 12 p.m.
With snow already piled up in various parts of the country, there may also be snow or rain on this day, so caution should be exercised for potential black ice on the roads.
The expressway corporation reported that drivers should be cautious of snowy roads in the sections from Biryong Junction to Sin Tanjin (14 km) and from Gimcheon to Chupungnyeong (13 km) on the Seoul-bound Gyeongbu Expressway.
On the Seohaean Expressway, caution is advised regarding wet road surfaces in the 59.5 km stretch between Hongseong and Seopyeongtaek in both directions.
On the Yeongdong Line, caution is advised due to strong winds in the 22 km stretch between Daegwallyeong and Gangneung Junction in both directions.