Watch out for traffic jams this weekend: peak of the summer travel wave
The first weekend of August is expected, according to various assessments, to become the most congested weekend of the entire summer holidays. With the start of the holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, schools are now closed in all German federal states. At the same time, many holidaymakers and transit travellers from neighbouring countries are on the road. Anyone heading towards the Alps, Italy or the coasts should therefore allow extra time and check current traffic reports.
Things become especially critical from Friday afternoon, 31 July, to Saturday morning, 1 August 2026. From Sunday afternoon onwards, return traffic increases significantly. In addition, around 1,000 motorway construction sites, border checks and major events are putting further strain on the situation.
Why the first weekend of August is under such heavy strain
Experience shows that the first weekend of August is the peak of the summer travel wave. As soon as the last remaining federal states start their holidays, arrival, transit and day-trip traffic overlap. Day trippers heading to the Alps, coasts, lakes and low mountain ranges add to the mix. Regionally, major events make the situation worse, such as the Wacken Open Air in Schleswig-Holstein and the Hamburg Sommerdom. In the Wacken area, numerous visitors and disruptions are expected on the A 23 from Hamburg towards Heide.
In addition, the summer holiday driving ban for heavy trucks on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (from 1 July up to and including 31 August) continues to apply. This eases holiday traffic somewhat, but does not replace good trip planning.
Congestion routes in Germany
Numerous motorways are associated with an increased risk of congestion (in both directions). For travellers heading south and east, the following are particularly relevant, among others:
A 3: Oberhausen – Cologne – Frankfurt – Würzburg – Nuremberg – Passau – Linz
A 5: Darmstadt – Karlsruhe – Basel, as well as Kassel – Frankfurt
A 7: Flensburg – Hamburg – Hanover – Kassel, as well as Ulm – Füssen/Reutte
A 8: Karlsruhe – Stuttgart – Munich – Salzburg
A 9: Halle/Leipzig – Nuremberg – Munich
A 81: Stuttgart – Singen
A 95: Munich – Garmisch-Partenkirchen
A 96: Lindau – Munich
A 99: Munich ring motorway
The North Sea and Baltic Sea routes as well as connections around Hamburg and Berlin are also considered heavily congested, including sections of the A 1, A 2, A 20, A 23 and A 24.
To prevent traffic from diverting onto alternative routes, exit closures are once again planned on particularly congested sections. In Germany, this affects sections of the A 7, A 8 and A 93, as well as the B 2 / B 23 in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area. You should therefore check navigation suggestions through towns and villages particularly critically.
Austria: West, Tauern, Inntal and Brenner motorways
Patience is also required on the classic holiday routes in Austria. Among others, ADAC expects congestion on:
A 1: West motorway
A 4: East motorway
A 9: Pyhrn motorway
A 10: Tauern motorway
A 11: Karawanks motorway/Karawanks Tunnel (towards Slovenia)
A 12: Inntal motorway
A 13: Brenner motorway between Innsbruck and Brenner
A 14: Rheintal/Walgau motorway
B 197: Arlberg federal road
B 179: Fernpass
On the Brenner motorway (A 13), renovation works on the Luegbrücke continue to hinder traffic. Anyone travelling to Italy via Tyrol should therefore plan for additional delays.
Fernpass closure on Saturday, 1 August
Between Saturday morning and midday, a protest action on the Fernpass route adds to the situation. The Fernpass road (B 179) will be closed on 1 August 2026 between 9:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.. At the same time, the Hahntennjoch (L 246) will remain closed to prevent diversion traffic. Details, exceptions and recommended detours can be found in our article on the Fernpass closure on 1 August 2026.
Exit closures on the Tauern motorway (A10)
On the A10 Tauern motorway as well, exit closures against diversion traffic continue to apply. You can read more about this in our article on the A10 exit closures. Also note the access rules for the city of Salzburg for day tourists in July and August.
Switzerland and Italy: Gotthard, San Bernardino and Brenner
In Switzerland, long queues can be expected particularly on the Gotthard route. The San Bernardino route as well as sections of the A 1 and A 3 are also likely to be heavily congested. For journeys through Switzerland, vehicles up to 3.5 t gross technical mass require a valid Swiss vignette.
In Italy, slow-moving traffic threatens above all on the extension of the Brenner motorway (A 22) as well as on the routes between the Swiss border, Milan and Genoa. Unlike in Austria or Switzerland, there is no vignette requirement in Italy; instead, among other things, a distance-based toll applies. More information can be found in our guide to tolls in Italy.
Tips for planning your trip
If you have to set off on the first weekend of August, the following points will help most:
Drive as early in the morning as possible or outside peak times.
Allow generous time buffers, especially before tunnels, toll stations and borders.
Avoid the Fernpass on 1 August, even outside the closure hours.
Don't blindly follow navigation suggestions through towns and villages where exit closures or driving bans apply.
Check current traffic reports before setting off and plan alternatives
Tolls: What you should keep in mind
Toll regulations in Austria
On Austrian motorways and expressways, cars, motorcycles and motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross technical mass (technically permissible total weight without occupants, field F.1) require a valid vignette. You can conveniently purchase the digital vignette via the 10-day vignette flat rate for Austria. If the gross technical mass exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette requirement does not apply and the distance-based toll with a GO-Box applies instead.
On many congestion-prone routes, an additional route toll or special toll applies, for example at the Brenner, at Tauern and Katschberg, or at the Karawanks Tunnel. The vignette does not cover these sections. You can find an overview in our guide Toll in Austria as well as on route toll/special toll.
Toll regulations are country-specific
Please note that toll regulations are country-specific. If you are travelling through Switzerland or Italy, you can find detailed information on tolls in Switzerland or on tolls in Italy in our guide.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
With enough time buffer, up-to-date information and the right awareness of closures and toll regulations, you can reach your destination more relaxed even on the first weekend of August. If you have questions about the digital vignette and tolls in Austria, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ: ADAC traffic forecast for the first weekend of August 2026
When will traffic be heaviest?
Above all from Friday afternoon, 31 July, to Saturday morning, 1 August. From Sunday afternoon onwards, return traffic increases.
Why is this weekend considered particularly critical?
Because with the start of the holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, summer holidays are now underway in all German federal states. Experience shows that the first weekend of August is typically the most congested holiday weekend.
Which routes in Austria are particularly affected?
Among others, A 1, A 10, A 12, A 13, A 14, Fernpass (B 179) and Arlberg (B 197). On the A 13, disruptions at the Luegbrücke remain relevant.
What applies at the Fernpass on 1 August?
The B 179 is closed from 9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the Hahntennjoch closed at the same time as well. Details: Fernpass closure on 1 August 2026.
Do I need a vignette for Austria?
Yes, for vehicles up to 3.5 t gross technical mass on motorways and expressways. Special toll routes must be considered separately.
