Driving back from the Costas this weekend? DGT predicts traffic, nearly 7 million journeys, and spike in foreign vehicles

Those who are planning to drive back from the Costas this weekend should prepare for significant delays, according to Spain’s Directorate General for Traffic, or DGT. The traffic authority has launched a special traffic monitoring operation for the summer season, and expects nearly seven million long-distance journeys to take place between the afternoon of Friday, August 28 and midnight on Monday, August 31.

Millions of journeys, one weekend: Why major Spanish roads will be congested from this Friday

To be exact, the DGT has predicted 6,880,000 long-distance movements along main Spanish roads. The surge of traffic will be the result of millions of holidaymakers wrapping up their August trips, as well as those who attend the Aragon MotoGP Grand Prix events. These drivers are expected to take coastal routes that connect the popular Spanish Costas to major inland metropolitan areas, causing a surge of heavy congestion on the main roads. Additionally, international travellers will use the main roads to head back to their own countries, predicted to cause a spike of foreign-plated cars on the road.

Spain’s traffic authority, as a result, has identified specific windows throughout the weekend when road density will reach peak levels, in particular across radial main roads and connecting coastal routes.

Spain’s traffic forecast for main roads this weekend, at a glance

• The afternoon of Friday, August 28, from 3:00pm to 10:00pm: Congestion will build rapidly around major city exits and key coastal expressways as weekend commuters join early-returning holidaymakers.
• The morning of Saturday, August 29, from 9:00am to 2:00pm: Traffic volume will remain high, concentrated around regional coastal arteries, popular tourist hubs, and main highways heading north toward international transit corridors.
• The afternoon of Sunday, August 30, from 4:00pm to 11:00pm (the return peak): Expect the heaviest return flow of the entire operation. Major corridors linking the Mediterranean coast to Madrid, central Spain, and northern border crossings will see extended queues and slow-moving traffic.
• The evening of Monday, August 31 (the end-of-month flow): Because the final days of August coincide with the weekend, traffic will remain dense late into Monday evening, particularly around suburban entry corridors and ring roads.

How will the DGT respond to the spike in traffic?

In order to control the heavy flow of traffic caused by millions of journeys, the DGT is deploying a traffic management initiative across primary roads. These plans include temporary lanes created using traffic cones during peak congestion hours; temporary bans on trucks and freight vehicles during peak traffic hours; a halting of non-essential roadworks and maintenance projects; and enhanced surveillance, including speed radars, helicopters, drones, and unmarked patrol vehicles to enforce road safety rules.

What drivers should (and should not) do this weekend

Drivers who are set to travel long distances this weekend, and especially those with foreign-registered vehicles heading toward the French border, are advised to plan thoroughly and make room for extended delays.

Authorities also remind drivers that, though traffic jams paired with summer heat can exhaust drivers, it is important not to try to make up for lost time by accelerating or overtaking recklessly, as these actions increase the chance of a road accident.

“It is necessary to start the journey as rested as possible, never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, respect traffic rules at all times, and avoid distractions while driving,” stated the DGT.

Authorities recommend scheduling departures outside the high-risk afternoon hours, taking mandatory rest breaks every two hours, and checking real-time traffic condition updates provided by the DGT, via the official 011 traffic phone line or @DGTes on X, before setting off.