France Hits 1273km Traffic Peak on Black Saturday

Record Traffic Jams Across France

France experienced severe traffic congestion on August 9, 2025, with peak delays reaching 1273 kilometers during the notorious "Black Saturday" holiday exodus. The traffic volume exceeded previous week's levels by over 200 kilometers, primarily caused by returning vacationers.

Critical Roadways Affected

Major delays persisted until 14:00 CET on key routes including the Route du Soleil (Paris to Côte d'Azur) and A9 motorway (Orange to Spanish border). The normally reliable A75 alternative route faced additional disruptions due to an accident.

Extreme Heat Complicates Travel

Southern France remained under orange heat alert, with temperatures posing significant risks. The ANWB motoring association advised travelers to:

• Conduct thorough vehicle checks before departure
• Carry sufficient water supplies
• Keep umbrellas for emergency shade
• Take special precautions for pets

Alpine Transit Conditions

Congestion in Alpine regions matched previous week's levels, with delays not exceeding 90 minutes. Notable bottlenecks included Austria's A10 (Tauern Autobahn), Switzerland's Gotthard Tunnel, and Austria's Karawanken Tunnel. The end of summer holidays in southern Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia contributed to return traffic volume.