Image: Heavy traffic in Croatia illustration/CU
Several waves of heavy traffic in Croatia are expected between Friday, 31 July and Wednesday, 5 August, as the peak summer travel season coincides with Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day.
According to the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK), the first major departure wave towards the coast is expected on Friday afternoon, followed by the busiest southbound period early on Saturday. Return traffic towards inland Croatia will increase on Sunday and Monday, while the strongest overall pressure is expected on Wednesday afternoon.
Additional congestion is likely around Knin on Wednesday morning because of the central commemoration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm. Šibenik and surrounding roads will also face significant disruption on Tuesday because of a major concert at Šubićevac Stadium.
Several traffic waves expected
Because the public holiday falls on Wednesday, many travellers are expected to combine it with the preceding weekend and several days of annual leave. The pattern of heavy traffic in Croatia will therefore be spread across several days rather than concentrated in a single weekend rush.
The first stronger departure wave towards the Adriatic is expected after working hours on Friday, 31 July. The busiest southbound period is forecast for Saturday morning, when large numbers of domestic and international travellers will be heading towards coastal destinations.
On Sunday, traffic will be strong in both directions. Vehicles will continue travelling towards the coast during the morning, while return traffic towards inland Croatia is expected to increase from midday and remain heavy into the evening.
Monday and Tuesday should bring more evenly distributed travel, although delays and queues will remain possible on major tourist routes and approaches to Zagreb.
Where heavy traffic in Croatia is most likely?
The heaviest congestion is expected on the Zagreb bypass and the approaches to the Lučko interchange, as well as on the A1 motorway between Zagreb, Karlovac and Bosiljevo II.
Delays are also likely on the A6 towards Rijeka, the A7 Rijeka bypass and the A8 and A9 motorways in Istria, particularly near the Učka Tunnel and Matulji interchange. Queues may also form on the approaches to the Krk Bridge.
The Adriatic Highway could become heavily congested near Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, Senj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Omiš, Makarska and Dubrovnik. Slow-moving traffic is also possible on the Solin–Klis expressway and the main approaches to Split.
Busy conditions are expected at border crossings with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as on important routes from Slovenia towards Istria, Kvarner and Zagreb. Ferry ports, particularly Split and Zadar, and departure points for the islands may also experience long queues.
Friday afternoon: the first departure wave
On Friday, 31 July, heavy traffic in Croatia is expected to begin building between approximately 2 pm and 8 pm, particularly on routes leading towards the coast.
Slow-moving traffic and occasional stops are possible on the Zagreb bypass, the A1 towards Bosiljevo II, the A6 and A7 towards Kvarner, the A8 towards the Učka Tunnel and the approaches to the Krk Bridge.
Traffic may also increase on the D1 near Split and the D8 on approaches to the city and surrounding tourist areas.
Saturday morning: the busiest southbound period
The strongest departure wave is expected on Saturday, 1 August, particularly between 5 am and 1 pm.
Long queues and intermittent standstill traffic are possible on some motorway sections. Conditions should gradually improve during the afternoon, although roads leading into coastal towns, ferry ports and island connections are expected to remain busy.
Sunday: return traffic begins
Traffic towards the coast will remain heavy on Sunday morning, but the main return wave towards inland Croatia is expected from noon until the evening.
The busiest routes will include the A1 from Dalmatia towards Bosiljevo II and Zagreb, the A6 towards Zagreb, the Rijeka bypass, the A8 from Istria, the D102 from Krk and the Adriatic Highway.
The strongest concentration of vehicles is expected between Bosiljevo II and the entrances to Zagreb, including the approaches to Demerje and Lučko.
Monday: busy in both directions
On Monday, 3 August, traffic is expected to remain heavy in both directions.
Travellers who have combined the holiday with annual leave are likely to begin their journeys early in the morning. International tourist traffic will also remain significant, and queues may form on the approaches to Zagreb.
The most affected roads may include the A4 from the direction of Varaždin, particularly from Popovec, the A3 Zagreb bypass in both directions and the A1 between Bosiljevo and Zagreb.
Tuesday: another departure wave
A further wave towards the coast and tourist destinations is expected on Tuesday morning and before midday.
Traffic towards Knin and other locations hosting commemorative programmes may increase during the afternoon. Restrictions for some heavy goods vehicles will apply from 3 pm to 11 pm, potentially causing a stronger concentration of lorries immediately before and after the restriction period.
Major disruption expected around Šibenik
Heavy traffic is expected in and around Šibenik on Tuesday, 4 August because of Marko Perković Thompson’s concert at Šubićevac Stadium.
The roads most likely to be affected include the D8, D33, D58, D27, D53 and D54, as well as the A1 motorway.
Several streets in Šibenik will be restricted or closed between 3 and 5 August, including Ulica Đure Đakovića, Ulica bana Josipa Jelačića and Ulica 113. šibenske brigade HV-a. Additional closures may affect Put Gimnazije, Ulica Jerka Machieda and part of the D8 between Njivice and Ražine.
Transit drivers are advised to use the A1 on 4 and 5 August. Those travelling towards Žaborić, Grebaštica, Primošten, Rogoznica and Trogir should consider using the Prgomet interchange rather than the Šibenik or Vrpolje exits.
Drivers travelling to the concert from Split via the A1 are advised to leave the motorway at Vrpolje and continue along the D58 towards the parking areas in the Podi zone.
Wednesday morning: increased traffic towards Knin
Traffic towards Knin will increase from the early morning on Wednesday, 5 August because of the central commemoration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm.
The D1, D33 and local approaches to Knin are expected to carry additional traffic. Temporary traffic regulations will be introduced, and drivers should follow police instructions and road signs.
On the main tourist routes, the strongest return wave towards inland Croatia is expected between approximately 2 pm and 10 pm. During this period, heavy traffic in Croatia will be concentrated particularly on routes from the coast towards Zagreb and other inland destinations.
Return routes likely to face long queues
Longer waiting times and slow-moving traffic are possible on Sunday, 2 August and Wednesday, 5 August, particularly on the A1 from Split, Šibenik and Zadar towards Bosiljevo II, Karlovac and Zagreb.
The approaches to Zagreb through Lučko and Demerje, the A3 Zagreb bypass, the A6 from Rijeka, the Rijeka bypass and the A8 from Istria towards the Učka Tunnel may also become heavily congested.
Queues are possible on the D102 between Malinska and the Krk Bridge, along the Adriatic Highway and at ferry terminals, especially when vehicles leave the Port of Split.
During the busiest periods, the approximately 70-kilometre journey from Zagreb to Bosiljevo may take two hours or longer because of traffic density alone. Accidents, breakdowns or emergency restrictions could extend travel times considerably.
Heavy goods vehicle restrictions
Restrictions for vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes will apply at the following times:
- Saturday, 1 August, from 4 am to 2 pm
- Sunday, 2 August, from noon to 11 pm
- Tuesday, 4 August, from 3 pm to 11 pm
- Wednesday, 5 August, from 2 pm to 11 pm
The restrictions do not apply to certain essential services, including emergency, police and military vehicles, road maintenance services and vehicles carrying drinking water, fuel, perishable food or livestock.
Prepare for delays
This is expected to be one of the busiest periods of the summer season.
Drivers should begin their journey well rested and carry enough fuel or battery charge, water and food, particularly when travelling with children. Longer delays may occur because of accidents, breakdowns, fires, roadworks or temporary traffic regulations.
A safe distance should be maintained at all times, and an emergency corridor must be formed during motorway congestion. The hard shoulder must not be used to overtake or bypass queues.
Before departure, travellers should check current road conditions through HAK’s website, mobile application or information centre. Roadside assistance is available 24 hours a day by calling 1987.
Traffic conditions can change quickly, so the latest information should always be checked immediately before travelling.
