Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s first major holiday getaway of the year is now underway, with the country’s traffic authorities expecting more than 17 million long-distance road journeys during the Easter period. The first phase began at 3.00 pm today, Friday 27 March, and runs until midnight on Sunday, when the DGT says around 4.3 million trips will have taken place on Spanish roads.
For anyone heading away this evening or over the weekend, the message is simple: expect congestion, plan carefully and do not leave without checking the latest road conditions. The operation continues until midnight on Monday, 6 April, which is a public holiday in seven autonomous communities.
A busy start to Semana Santa on the roads
Semana Santa is always one of the most intense travel periods in Spain, but this year’s operation also comes with tighter enforcement and fresh reminders for drivers. The DGT has warned that traffic will be especially heavy on major outbound routes from large cities and on roads leading to the coast, mountain areas and second homes.
To manage the expected surge, traffic authorities say they will use reversible and additional lanes, suspend roadworks where possible, restrict certain freight traffic and deploy a full monitoring operation including fixed and mobile speed cameras, surveillance cameras and aerial resources.
The V-16 warning light is now a key message
This Easter is also the first major mass getaway since the V-16 emergency warning beacon became compulsory from 1 January 2026 in breakdown situations where a vehicle has to stop on the road. The DGT has been pushing that message hard ahead of the holiday, stressing that drivers must use the device to warn other road users.
The change is part of a wider safety push linked to the DGT’s digital traffic platform, which allows incidents to be signalled more quickly and more visibly than older roadside warning methods. Authorities have also highlighted recent upgrades to the 011 traffic information line, including AI-supported improvements and wider language support.
The worst times to travel this weekend and beyond
The DGT has also issued detailed guidance on when traffic will be at its worst during the first phase of the Easter operation — and the message is clear: timing matters.
For those travelling this weekend, the most difficult periods are expected to be:
- Friday 27 March: 15:00 to 22:00 (peak departure traffic)
- Saturday 28 March: 09:00 to 14:00 (continued outbound flow)
- Sunday 29 March: 18:00 to 22:00 (return traffic to major cities)
Traffic is expected to build around major cities, coastal routes and access roads to second homes, with congestion likely to intensify during these windows.
Looking ahead, the DGT has also warned that the second phase from Wednesday 1 April will bring the heaviest traffic of the entire period, particularly from early afternoon into the night.
A warning after last year’s toll
The backdrop is a serious one. During last year’s Semana Santa operation, 27 people died in 26 traffic accidents, including eight motorcyclists, according to the DGT. Officials are again urging motorists not to use mobile phones while driving, not to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs, and to respect speed limits throughout the holiday period.
That warning matters because Easter travel in Spain is not just about long motorway runs. It also brings short local journeys, last-minute departures and heavy return traffic, all of which increase the risk of collisions.
What drivers in Spain should do before setting off
For travellers, the most practical advice is also the oldest. Check the route before leaving. Avoid the busiest windows if possible. Make sure the car is ready for a long journey, and allow more time than usual.
The DGT is advising drivers to follow live updates through its official traffic channels and information services, especially as delays can build quickly once the main exits from cities begin to clog up.
Weather could add to delays
The DGT is also warning drivers to stay alert to sudden changes in weather conditions, which can significantly affect visibility and grip on the road.
Rain, fog, wind or even hail can increase braking distances and reduce control, meaning drivers should slow down, increase safety distances and avoid sudden manoeuvres.
In extreme conditions, authorities advise stopping safely off the road until it is safe to continue.
Easter travel starts now — and so do the queues
For many families, Friday evening marks the real start of the Easter break. For Spain’s roads, it marks the beginning of a familiar test: millions of journeys compressed into a few key days. With traffic already building and the first phase of the operation now live, anyone travelling this weekend would be wise to expect slower journeys and sharper enforcement on the road.