Saturday, 2 August, promises to be the busiest day of the summer on European roads, according to mobility organisations Touring and VAB, who reported this on Monday.
Holidaymakers across Europe are bracing for what is expected to be the most congested day of the summer on the roads. Saturday 2 August has officially been flagged as black on traffic maps in France (the highest warning level) while red alerts are in place in Germany, Italy, Spain and other major transit countries.
The so-called chassé-croisé weekend, when millions of travellers simultaneously begin and end their holidays, will reach its chaotic peak on Saturday, bringing massive delays, packed highways and gridlock in and around key European routes.
Belgium : Busy towards the coast and beyond
In Belgium, touring has forecast heavy traffic, especially on the E40 from Brussels to Ostend, with coastal-bound travellers expected to cause significant slowdowns on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Outbound traffic on the E411 (Brussels-Luxembourg) and E19 (Brussels-Mons-Valenciennes) will also be intense. For return journeys, the E40 and E411 towards Brussels are expected to be heavily congested on Sunday evening.
France : Black Saturday
French roads will be under intense pressure, particularly in the Rhöne-Alpes, Auvergne, and Mediterranean regions. The French highway agency has issued a black traffic warning, indicating challenging driving conditions with severe, widespread traffic jams expected from early morning until late afternoon.
Those heading south to holiday hotspots or northbound returnees will likely find themselves stuck for hours on major motorways such as the A7 ( Autoroute du Soleil), A10 and A9. The new free-flow tolling systems on routes like the A13, A14, A79 and A4 may help ease bottlenecks at toll gates, but heavy congestion is still anticipated.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland : Red alert
Germany's traffic will be significantly affected as school holidays begin in Bavaria and Baden-Württermberg, sending millions of families onto the roads. The usual hotspots around Munich, Stuttgart and on routes towards Austria, Italy, and the Balkans are expected to clog up early.
Austria and Switzerland will also face intense traffic, particularly around popular Alpine crossings such as the Brenner Pass, with long queues likely.
Italy and Spain : Mediterranean madness
In Italy and Spain, where millions of locals and tourist head to coastal destinations during the first week of August, red-level traffic warnings are in effect. Gridlock is expected on the Autostrada del Sole (A1) and A14 Adriatic coast in Italy, and on the AP-7 and other major highways in Spain, particularly around Barcelona and the Costa Brava.
Hour-by-Hour Breakdown : When to avoid the roads
Saturday 2 August : Expect traffic to be extremely dense from early morning (around 6:00) until later afternoon (18:00) across black and red-coded zones.
Sunday 3 August: Traffic will remain heavy, especially between 9:00 and 16:00, mainly for return travellers. France will still see orange-level congestion in several regions.
Monday 4 August : In France, heavy delays are expected between 10:00 and 17:00, particularly in Auvergne, Rhône-Alpes and along the Mediterranean corridor.
Planning tips
Authorities across Europe are urging drivers to plan their journeys wisely :
- Avoid peak travel hours if possible.
- Check real-time traffic updates.
- Prepare for long delays with enough water, food, and patience.
- If driving trough France, don't forget the Crit'Air emissions sticker, required in low-emission zones, even for electric vehicles.
With temperatures also expected to rise this weekend, motorists are reminded to stay hydrated and manage fatigue. For those travelling with children or pets, it's essential to schedule regular stops and ensure safety and comfort throughout the trip.
