Traffic jam nightmare at Pentecost: A10 with up to 3 hours waiting time!

Traffic jam nightmare at Pentecost: A10 with up to 3 hours waiting time!

June 7, 2025 is a day that many drivers will not soon forget. On the Pentecost weekend, one of the busiest times of the year, traffic on the Tauern Autobahn (A10) was backed up for up to 20 kilometers. According to the ÖAMTC, however, the situation had eased since around 3 p.m. and waiting times at the tunnel construction site were kept within limits at less than two hours. Nevertheless, the chaos continued overnight and the traffic jam stretched from the Salzburg junction to the Walserberg, which led to a long evening of waiting for many travelers.

The situation was particularly tense on Saturday morning when a defective vehicle in the Hiefler Tunnel further aggravated the situation. At seven o'clock, the ÖAMTC traffic jam advisors reported a loss of over three hours on the A10. The construction site near Golling, which is expected to be completed by the end of June, is causing significant traffic disruptions and leading to increased waiting times. A good reason to plan your trip better!

Traffic chaos on different routes

The Tauern Autobahn is not only an important north-south connection, but also a central route for German holidaymakers on their way to Italy. There are also other congested traffic axes on this route: starting at the Suben border crossing via the A8 to the A1 in Linz and the Steinhäusl and Vösendorf junctions on the A21. Drivers should also expect delays on other major roads:

• Rheintal Autobahn (A14) Höhe Bludenz
• Brenner Autobahn (A13), Großraum Innsbruck
• Inntal Autobahn (A12) zwischen Wiesing und Kufstein
• Fernpass Straße (B179), zwischen Füssen und Nassereith
• Ost Autobahn (A4), zwischen Wien und Fischamend
• Acht der A8 zwischen München und Salzburg

Herbert Thaler, the ÖAMTC's traffic jam advisor, will be on the Tauern Autobahn from Saturday to observe the traffic and provide helpful information. A look at the öAMTC fuel price database could also be helpful to be informed about the costs during the trip. Club members even have online doctor consultations during their vacation, a real plus for carefree travel.

Risk of congestion and traffic congestion

In addition to the immediate construction sites, general traffic congestion is also noted. During peak travel times, especially on summer weekends, travelers should expect traffic jams. This phenomenon has been known for years; The second tunnel tube of the Tauern Tunnel was therefore opened to relieve pressure in 2011. Historically, planning for the highway began during World War II, with full opening taking place in 1983. Since then, the importance of this highway has steadily increased.

To get an overview of traffic in numbers, the statistical handbook “Traffic in Numbers” from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport is a valuable document. It not only offers insights into transport developments in Germany and the EU, but has been used by political decision-makers, companies and the transport industry for over 40 years. The current edition for the 2024/2025 vintage is already available and the next one is expected to be available in spring 2026.

For everyone who will be traveling on the motorway in the next few days: be patient, plan for waiting times and prepare your journey well! Because at Pentecost it becomes clear once again that the streets throughout Austria are particularly busy. Those who are informed in good time have the best chance of avoiding traffic jams.