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Drivers in Northern Germany, especially those travelling through Hamburg, should prepare for heavy traffic this weekend. With the autumn holidays commencing in Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and concluding in other federal states, the ADAC anticipates traffic levels akin to the peak summer season. The Autobahn GmbH also issued a warning for a particularly busy weekend.
Traffic Update: Friday Afternoon Sees Initial Congestion
As of Friday afternoon, traffic remained largely manageable, with minor congestion reported on the A1 and A7. However, no major traffic jams were observed. The waiting time at the Elbe ferry Glückstadt-Wischhafen reached up to two hours temporarily.
Schleswig-Holstein: A7 Identified as a Key Bottleneck
The A7 in Schleswig-Holstein is expected to be a major choke point due to multiple construction sites. Drivers should anticipate delays in the following sections:
- Between Flensburg/Harrislee (Schleswig-Flensburg district) and Flensburg
- Between Schleswig/Schuby and Tarp
- Between Rendsburg/Büdelsdorf (Rendsburg-Eckernförde district) and the Rendsburg junction
- Between Großenaspe and Bad Bramstedt (Segeberg district)
Additionally, the A215 from Kiel towards Neumünster, specifically between Kiel-Mitte and the Kiel-West junction, is closed until Monday at 5 AM due to ongoing construction work. A detailed overview of current construction sites is available on the Autobahn GmbH’s construction site map.
A1 and A21 Also Affected by Construction
On the A1, travellers should expect traffic disruptions between Bargteheide and Bad Oldesloe (Stormarn district) and between the Bad Schwartau junction and Scharbeutz (Ostholstein district). Further north, the section between Gremersdorf and Heiligenhafen-Ost is also prone to congestion due to construction. Furthermore, a night closure is in effect on the A21 towards Kiel, with the section between Bad Oldesloe-Süd and Leezen remaining closed until Saturday morning at 5 AM.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: A24 and A20 Expected to be Busy
The A24 between Hamburg and Schwerin, particularly the section between Schwarzenbek/Grande and Witzhave (Herzogtum Lauenburg and Stormarn districts), is likely to experience significant congestion. Those travelling from Schleswig-Holstein or Hamburg towards Schwerin should factor in potential delays. The Autobahn GmbH also forecasts increased traffic on the A20.
Hamburg: A24 Closures and Köhlbrandbrücke Maintenance
In and around Hamburg, the Autobahn GmbH and ADAC anticipate high traffic volumes. Additional disruptions on the A24 include a closure between the Hamburg-Jenfeld and Hamburg-Horn exits in the direction of Berlin until Saturday evening at 8 PM. Subsequently, the opposite direction between Jenfeld and Hamburg-Horn will be closed for a week, and the Hamburg-Jenfeld on-ramp towards the city centre will also be inaccessible.
The A1 in Hamburg, which was closed between the Norderelbe autobahn triangle and the Hamburg-Ost junction due to construction, reopened on Monday morning. However, the Köhlbrandbrücke will be completely closed until Monday morning at 5 AM for maintenance and repair work.
Lower Saxony and Bremen: High Traffic on Main Routes
Lower Saxony and Bremen are entering their second week of autumn holidays, and travellers here should also expect heavy traffic. The ADAC identifies the A1 between Hamburg, Bremen, Osnabrück, and Münster, as well as the A27 between Bremen and Bremerhaven, as routes with an elevated risk of traffic jams. On the A27, particular congestion is expected between Bremen and Bremerhaven.
ADAC Recommendations for Smooth Travel
The ADAC advises avoiding peak travel times if possible, noting that Saturday is expected to be the busiest day. It is also crucial to form an emergency lane promptly when traffic slows down, rather than waiting until emergency vehicles are audible.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/info/herbstferien-im-norden-adac-warnt-am-wochenende-vor-staus,stau-320.html
