When is peak traffic congestion on expressways during Golden Week? – Impress Watch

Golden Week is finally starting. Expressways are expected to be congested in various places this year as well, but let’s take a look at traffic congestion trends based on information released by expressway companies.

This year’s (2024) Golden Week is divided into the first half from April 27th (Saturday) to April 29th (Monday) and the second half from May 3rd (Friday) to May 6th (Monday). Since Children’s Day on May 5th falls on a Sunday, the 6th will be a substitute holiday. Traffic congestion trends are also divided into the first half and the second half, with relatively little traffic congestion in the first half, but extremely long traffic jams are predicted in the second half. The inbound direction is May 5th.

The overall trend of traffic congestion is that it occurs mainly in the morning on downbound roads, and peaks on May 3rd (Friday) and May 4th (Saturday). Upbound storms occur mainly in the evening, with the peak occurring on May 4th (Saturday) and May 5th (Sunday). The number of times traffic jams occur is 165 times on the downbound side and 221 times on the upstream side, and it is predicted that the upstream side will be more congested because of the concentration of vehicles returning home. After the peak uphill days on the 4th and 5th, the final day of the long weekend, the 6th, is relatively empty, so it’s best to avoid the crowds if possible.

Source: NEXCO East Japan

Please note that the “Holiday Discount”, which gives you a 30% discount on tolls on public holidays, does not apply during Golden Week.

NEXCO East Japan

A particularly long traffic jam in NEXCO East’s jurisdiction was a maximum of 40km in the outbound direction near Hanyu PA on the Tohoku Expressway around 8:00 on May 3rd. Around 8:00 on May 3rd, it was up to 30km near Takasaka SA on the Kanetsu Expressway, and around 9:00 on May 3rd, it was up to 30km near Fujioka JCT on the Kanetsu Expressway. Around 8:00 on May 4th, the maximum distance is 35km near Hanyu PA.

Source: NEXCO East Japan

Upbound direction: around 18:00 on May 4th, up to 35km near Kanetsu Expressway Takasaka SA, around 18:00 on May 5th, up to 40km near Kanetsu Expressway Takasaka SA, around 5:00pm on May 5th, Tohoku Expressway The maximum distance is 30km near Kazo IC.

Source: NEXCO East Japan

NEXCO Central Japan

Particularly long traffic jams within the jurisdiction of NEXCO Central Japan include up to 45km outbound traffic around 6am on May 3rd near Hadano Nakai Interchange on the Tomei Expressway, and up to 30km around Isehara Bayside Expressway Yatomi Kisomisaki Interchange around 7am on May 3rd. . Particularly heavy traffic congestion is predicted near the Sagamiko Interchange on the Chuo Expressway, with a maximum traffic jam of 30km at 10pm on May 2nd, 45km at 6am on the 3rd, and 45km at 6pm on the 4th.

Upbound direction: Around 16:00 on April 29th, up to 30km near Chuo Expressway Kobutsu Tunnel; Around 9:00 on May 3rd, up to 30km near Tomei Expressway Okazaki Interchange; Around 15:00 on May 5th, up to Tomei Expressway The maximum distance is 30 km near the Ayase Smart Interchange, and around 4:00 pm on May 5th, the maximum distance is 30 km near the Kobutsu Tunnel on the Chuo Expressway.

Source: NEXCO East Japan

NEXCO West Japan

Particularly long traffic jams in NEXCO West Japan’s jurisdiction are predicted to be up to 25 km downhill near Tosu JCT on the Kyushu Expressway around 9 a.m. on April 28, and up to 30 km near Chikushino IC on the Kyushu Expressway around 9 a.m. on May 3. I am.

Source: NEXCO West Japan

Upbound routes will be up to 35km near the Otsu IC on the Meishin Expressway around 9:00 on May 3rd, and up to 25km at around 9:00 on May 4th. Around 17:00 on May 5th, the maximum distance was 25km near Hirokawa IC on the Kyushu Expressway.

Source: NEXCO West Japan

Metropolitan Expressway

The Metropolitan Expressway is also expected to be crowded during Golden Week. Congestion is expected to occur mainly on May 3rd, the second half of the holiday, but congestion is also expected on April 25th, 26th, and May 2nd, before Golden Week, due to the concentration of business traffic. .

In addition, severe traffic congestion is expected on the Wangan Line, starting at Kawasaki Ukishima Junction, with cars heading to Haneda Airport. On the Shuto Expressway, when using Haneda Airport from Tokyo, we recommend using the Airport West Exit of Route 1 Haneda Line.

Source: Metropolitan Expressway

What’s the weather like?

Last year, the weather during Golden Week was poor and there was a lot of rain, so there were fewer traffic jams than expected. Unfortunately, there is a glimpse of rain in the forecast this year as well.

According to the Golden Week weather forecast released by the Japan Weather Association on April 23, it is predicted that it will rain frequently from April 28 to May 1 from Kyushu to Kanto-Koshin, with the rain falling especially in the southern regions. It tends to be easy. The forecast is for many sunny days in Hokkaido and Tohoku. From May 2nd onwards, many areas of the country will have sunny skies, making it a perfect day for tourists.

Source: Japan Weather Association