Lorraine Williamson
Millions of drivers are taking to Spain’s roads this weekend as the final major traffic operation of the summer gets underway, bringing together holiday returns, weekend trips and the start of September breaks. The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) expects 6.88 million long-distance journeys between Friday afternoon and midnight on Monday, with some of the most difficult conditions expected on Sunday afternoon and evening.
The final weekend of August traditionally creates a complicated mix on Spain’s roads. Drivers returning home after their August holidays are sharing the network with people heading to beaches and second homes for the weekend, as well as those beginning their holidays in September.
Traffic heading towards Spain’s borders will add to the pressure as foreign-registered vehicles begin the journey back towards other European countries. This weekend’s Aragón MotoGP is also expected to generate additional car and motorcycle traffic around the circuit and on routes through the region.
Saturday traffic heads towards beaches and second homes
For Saturday 29 August, the DGT identified the period between 9.00 am and 1.00 pm as particularly busy. Much of this traffic is expected to be heading out of the major cities towards beaches, second homes and other weekend destinations.
The busiest morning period will have passed for many drivers by Saturday afternoon, but that does not mean roads will remain quiet for the rest of the weekend. The direction of the traffic will increasingly reverse as August holidaymakers begin making their journeys home.
Friday’s opening stage of the operation already brought congestion to several parts of the country. Problems included traffic on the A-7 around San Pedro Alcántara in Málaga province, as well as congestion around Madrid, Barcelona and other coastal areas.
Sunday afternoon expected to be particularly difficult
Sunday 30 August is likely to be one of the most difficult days for anyone travelling back from the coast.
The DGT expects problems around coastal resorts and roads connecting beach areas during the morning. From approximately 4.00 pm, the main return movement will begin, with heavy traffic expected on routes carrying drivers from coastal and holiday areas towards Spain’s large cities.
The most difficult period is forecast between 4.00 pm and 11.00 pm on Sunday. Roads leading towards international border crossings are also expected to become busier as foreign residents who have spent the summer in Spain begin travelling back towards other European countries.
Drivers who have flexibility over their departure time may therefore want to avoid beginning a long return journey during that Sunday afternoon and evening window.
Monday brings another major wave of return traffic
The operation does not finish on Sunday night. Monday 31 August will bring another day of heavy movement as the final August holidaymakers return home.
The DGT expects shorter journeys around coastal areas and beaches to cause problems during the morning, followed by return traffic on major routes throughout much of the day. The busiest period is again forecast between 4.00 pm and 11.00 pm.
Traffic is expected to be more evenly spread than on Sunday, however, because many people will already have completed their journey home.
The special operation ends at midnight on Monday.
Extra controls on Spain’s roads
The DGT has mobilised Guardia Civil traffic officers alongside staff at its eight traffic management centres and emergency and road-maintenance services.
Drivers can also expect extensive monitoring throughout the operation. Fixed and mobile speed cameras, Pegasus helicopters, drones, cameras, unmarked vans and motorcycles are among the equipment being used to monitor speed, mobile phone use, seat belts and other driving offences.
Temporary reversible and additional lanes may be introduced in particularly congested areas. Roadworks are also being suspended where possible, while some sporting events and other activities affecting roads are being restricted and limitations are being placed on certain heavy goods and special vehicles.
Airports and railway stations are busy too
It is not only Spain’s roads experiencing one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer. Around 4,370 high-speed, long-distance and medium-distance trains are scheduled to operate during the four-day period.
Madrid’s main stations account for around 1,500 train movements, while Barcelona Sants has 471 scheduled. Málaga María Zambrano is expected to handle 253, Alicante 235 and Valencia’s Joaquín Sorolla and Nord stations a combined 278.
Spain’s airports are even busier, with Aena scheduling 29,592 flights between Friday and Monday, around 2.6% more than during the equivalent period last year. Madrid-Barajas has the largest programme with 4,972 flights, followed by Barcelona-El Prat with 4,421 and Palma de Mallorca with 4,053.
Málaga-Costa del Sol is scheduled to handle 2,507 flights over the four days, while Alicante-Elche has 1,779.
DGT warns against trying to make up lost time
With long queues likely at various points during the weekend, the DGT has issued a particular warning about driver behaviour after being delayed.
Traffic jams can lead to stress, fatigue and frustration, followed by a temptation to drive faster or make risky overtaking manoeuvres once traffic begins moving again. The DGT warns that time spent in a queue cannot safely be recovered by speeding afterwards.
Drivers are advised to begin journeys well rested, avoid alcohol and drugs, keep distractions such as mobile phones away and check traffic conditions before setting off.
For anyone who can choose when to travel, the most useful advice this weekend is straightforward: Sunday between 4.00 pm and 11.00 pm is the period to avoid if possible, with another difficult return period expected at the same time on Monday.