Germany braces for massive traffic jams as summer holidays begin in nine states this weekend.

The start of summer holidays in northern and eastern Germany this weekend is expected to cause significant traffic congestion on major highways. The German Automobile Club (ADAC) has issued warnings about increased traffic and delays, citing 28 particularly affected routes. These include the A1 from Cologne to Fehmarn, the A7 from Füssen to Flensburg, the Berlin Ring (A10 to A12), and the Munich Ring (A99). International routes like Austria’s Tauern and Inntal highways and Italy’s Brenner route are also expected to see heavy traffic.

ADAC advises travelers to avoid peak times, such as Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoons, and instead opt for quieter days like Monday or Tuesday. Additionally, travelers should plan for over 1,000 construction sites and heat-related road damage, including closures on the A1 in Hamburg and the A10 in Brandenburg. Extreme heat has caused ‘blow-ups’—cracks in the road surface—leading to further delays. Travelers are urged to check traffic updates and prepare alternative routes.