ADAC Warns of Heavy Traffic as Summer Holidays End in Germany, Austria
Munich – September 09, 2026 -- Drivers across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy should brace for heavy congestion this weekend as the return wave from summer holidays collides with ongoing vacation traffic, the ADAC warns.
With school holidays ending in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and the last Austrian regions, return traffic from the south toward the north is expected to peak. At the same time, outbound traffic toward the Alps, lakes, coasts and low mountain ranges remains elevated.
Friday evening and Saturday carry the highest risk of gridlock
The ADAC identifies the worst congestion windows as Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday morning, and the return rush from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.