In September, we expect significantly increased traffic on the Ljubljana ring road, as well as on the entrances to larger cities (Maribor, Kranj, Koper, Novo mesto...), as well as on other sections of the highways and crossings with Austria border crossings.
In the first half of September, the impact of vacationers or tourists will be increased, and we stil expect thus also increased morning and afternoon traffic peaks; especially on Monday and Friday, between September 4 and 15.
The reason is still the start of the new school year and holidays in some German states and visits to tourist destinations.
Traffic is often slowed down also due to bad weather conditions (rain, hail,...), and in some cases also lack of knowledge of traffic connections after an accident.
Greater congestion can also be expected on the southern Ljubljana ring road and the rest highway, due to works on the H3 and the redirection of freight traffic to the southern Ljubljana ring road, as well as Croatia's entry into Schengen.
During increased traffic this year (holidays) on Slovenian motorways and expressways, so far this year there have been approximately the same number of vehicles as in the same period last year. This also applies to regional roads that lead towards the Croatian part of Istra.
Due to the suspension of border control at the border crossing with Croatia, there were no congestions at border crossings this time, however traffic was still congested. With the improved flow at the border crossing, traffic from Croatia towards the heart of Slovenia congested more at bottlenecks on regional roads, especially from Dragonja in the direction of Koper and on the Coastal motorway A1 in the direction of Ljubljana, especially before the Kozarje interchange. We expect similar traffic conditions during the May holidays and in summer months. The traffic will constantly increase by summer.
It is good to seek alternative paths in such conditions, which is why we recommend checking the situation at www.promet.si or via the phone number 1970 before each trip. During travel, we recommend using the Dars application Promet+, which will alert drivers about road events.
We also recommend using the traffic calendar for planning trips some days ahead.
MOST CONGESTED SECTIONS
DIRECTION FROM AUSTRIA TOWARDS CROATIA
In general, the entire motorway network in the direction either south or north will be the busiest. At the start of holidays and before national holidays, the busiest roads are motorways from north to south and roads at Istra.
Increased traffic from Austria in the direction of Croatia will increase local traffic on the Upper Carniola motorway, the western Ljubljana bypass and on the Coastal motorway in the direction of Koper. Congestions usually occur on the Upper Carniola motorway before the Šentvid tunnel, which must be closed periodically for safety reasons, as well as before the Kozarje interchange and between Kozarje and Vrhnika.
Congestions are usually on the entire western and southern Ljubljana bypass in the direction of the coast, and on the south Ljubljana bypass in the direction of Lower Carniola.
Border crossings (Jelšane, Obrežje, Gruškovje) may still be busy during large vehicle influxes due to low speeds and the vicinity of Croatian toll stations.
The following roads will be busier:
- before the Karavanke tunnel from the direction of Austria,
- Ptuj-Gruškovje in the direction of Croatia,
- Ilirska Bistrica-Jelšane border crossing,
- Koper-Dragonja border crossing,
- Koper-Izola-Sečovlje border crossing.
DIRECTION FROM CROATIA TOWARDS AUSTRIA
The direction of traffic changes at the end of holidays and national holidays.
Increased traffic from Croatia in the direction of Austria will increase local traffic on roads from the Dragonja and Sečovlje border crossings in the direction of Koper and on the Coastal motorway in the direction of Ljubljana where there are frequent congestions before the Kozarje interchange (Ljubljana). This congestion is often expanded all the way to Razdrto.
Congestions are also on the Upper Carniola motorway before the Karavanke tunnel in the direction of Austria and, to some extent, on the Styria motorway before the Šentilj tunnel in the direction of Austria.
We would also like to point out to certain national holidays (even abroad) that will lead to increased traffic in Slovenia.
Holidays will also begin around that time and increased traffic from abroad will be added to peak traffic in Slovenia.
- Whitsun (increased traffic from 26 to 29 May),
- Corpus Christi (increased traffic from 8 to 11 June),
- Assumption of Mary (increased traffic from 11 to 16 August).
When there are national holidays abroad, we may also expect increased traffic of goods vehicles a couple of days prior from west to east, as well as congestions on the Coastal motorway.