Despite the fact that the summer departure operation was already “inaugurated” at the beginning of this month of July, the truth is that there are still many Spaniards who leave between the end of July and the beginning of August for their summer vacations, so if you are among them and you plan to go on vacation by car , it will be good that you know what is the best time to travel, thus avoiding having to run into a traffic jam.
Car Holidays: What is the best time to go out and avoid traffic jams?
Going on vacation implies an illusion that can suddenly be cut short if we experience one of those traffic jams that occur so much on Spanish roads during the summer. Our desire to finally get to the beach, the summer apartment or the reserved hotel may be many, but being caught in a summer traffic jam can make us despair.
How to avoid traffic?
Previously, there was talk of the “great summer exodus” referring precisely to the “flight” from the main cities that occurred punctually every summer and that made you wonder about finding endless queues of cars when leaving or returning, but this It has changed slightly and more since last year.
During 2020 and due to the strict restrictions due to Covid-19, few were the cars that went on vacation, so somehow, that “great exodus” did not take place. But this 2021, the holidays reign again for many Spaniards who already prepare their car to travel as much as they can.
The question then arises as to whether this year we will be able to travel with more peace of mind given that many people have also chosen not to travel in summer and enjoy a vacation in a closer destination or in their own city. So what time do we leave with the car?
The answer to that question might be: when most people are busy and can’t get out. Something that can also be applied to the “return operation” when our vacation ends.
This means that a night or early morning trip may be preferable to avoid traffic , while it is better to avoid going on a trip on weekends or, in general, during the “key” days of the vacation . That is, on July 15 (when many finally take their summer vacation) or on the 31st of the same month or even on August 1 or 15.
Then it will be a good option to think about leaving on a weekday when there is possibly less traffic because people are still working and this would mean fewer vehicles on the road.
However, the answer is not always so obvious and simple. In fact, if the rule of leaving when others are not leaving could have been an almost certain pillar for not finding traffic until a few years ago, now there are variables to consider.
In fact, no one can be trusted to work on Sundays. In fact, many now also work during the weekend and have a day off during the week and, in addition, the working hours are really varied; just think about shift work. Therefore, if you want to avoid the traffic, it is good to inform yourself before leaving.
What does the DGT say?
And the first consultation, obviously, we do it to the DGT that in fact weeks ago already explained that there were a series of hours in which there are more traffic jams , especially in the three days that comprise the weekend.
In this way, and if you have no choice but to leave between Friday and Sunday, you should know that the busiest hours these days are:
- Friday : the big traffic jams on this day occur between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., so it is better to travel very early.
- Saturday : On this day the traffic jam time is much earlier, between 09:00 and 13:00, so either you travel at dawn or it is better to wait for the afternoon.
- Sunday : On this day traffic jams usually occur in cars that return especially between 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m.
The secret to not finding traffic: using Google Maps
With the given guidelines and with what the DGT explains, it is possible that this summer if you go on vacation with the car you will be able to avoid traffic jams but there is also another alternative to understand when to leave and avoid finding traffic and perhaps it is the most effective: Google Maps and the browser.
Sure, Google Maps cannot make predictions weeks in advance and help us choose the best date to depart, but what it can do is show us which are the busiest streets in real time and also suggest all possible valid alternatives without the driver has the least stress.
