The Return Operation in August will mobilize around 6.9 million movements on Spanish roads over four days. The General Directorate of Traffic will activate its last major special device of the summer at 15:00 hours on Friday, August 28, and will maintain it until 24:00 on Monday, August 31, with reinforced controls, restrictions, and special measures at points with the highest congestion.
The last major traffic operation of the summer will coincide this year with several different flows.
Those returning to their residences after finishing their August vacations will be joined by drivers starting their vacations in September, the usual weekend movements, and foreign vehicles crossing Spain back to other European countries.
The DGT estimates 6,880,000 long-distance movements between Friday and Monday.
The device also coincides with the Aragon Grand Prix of MotoGP, which takes place between August 28 and 30 at MotorLand Aragón, in Alcañiz, and will generate an additional concentration of cars and motorcycles on the roads near the circuit.
Friday 28: especially avoid from 16:00 to 22:00
The first complicated stretch will arrive a few hours after the operation begins.
The DGT expects intense traffic between 16:00 and 22:00 hours on Friday, both in the exits of the large urban centers and on the roads leading to coastal areas and rest places.
Movements typical of an August weekend will still predominate, so travelers returning will mix with others heading to beaches and second residences.
Saturday 29: problems between 9:00 and 13:00
On Saturday, the main time to avoid will be the morning.
Between 9:00 and 13:00 hours, Traffic expects high intensities in the exits of the cities, especially due to short trips to beaches and second residence areas.
This traffic will be joined by movements towards MotorLand for the Aragon Grand Prix.
Sunday 30: the great return begins
Sunday will be one of the most delicate days.
During the morning, there may be delays at the accesses to beaches and coastal roads. The situation will change from the early hours of the afternoon, when the return to the large cities will begin.
The DGT identifies the time frame between 16:00 and 23:00 hours as particularly conflictive.
Those who finish their August vacation will coincide with those who return after the weekend. Traffic will also increase on the axes leading to the border crossings due to the return of foreign vehicles.
Monday 31: intense traffic for a good part of the day
The operation will not end on Sunday.
On Monday 31, there will still be significant movements back, and circulation may become complicated throughout practically the entire day.
The DGT again places the main problematic time frame between 16:00 and 23:00 hours, although it expects traffic to be more distributed and that the peaks will be less intense because many drivers will have brought forward their return to the weekend.
The hours to avoid
The calendar of highest intensity is as follows:
| Day | Hours with the most traffic | Type of movement |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 28 | 16:00-22:00 | Departures and trips to the coast |
| Saturday 29 | 09:00-13:00 | Beaches and second homes |
| Sunday 30 | 16:00-23:00 | Great return to the cities |
| Monday 31 | 16:00-23:00 | Last movements back |
The Traffic recommendation is to avoid, when possible, those time frames and to check the state of the roads before starting the trip.
Which roads will concentrate the return
The DGT does not limit the device to a single road.
The largest movements will occur on the major corridors that connect the coastal and rest areas with Madrid and the main metropolitan areas, as well as on the roads near the coast and the accesses to the cities.
The access roads to MotorLand Aragón will also have extraordinary pressure during the MotoGP Grand Prix and their exits at the end of the races.
Traffic will establish alternative routes at points where necessary.
Radars, Pegasus, drones, and camouflaged vehicles
The device will have a specific reinforcement of surveillance.
The DGT will use fixed and mobile radars, Pegasus helicopters, drones, and cameras.
It will also deploy camouflaged vans and motorcycles to control behaviors such as the use of mobile phones while driving, seat belts, and other infractions.
Alongside these technical means, agents from the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard, personnel from the eight traffic management centers, and workers responsible for special measures on the road will participate.
Additional lanes and restrictions on trucks
When traffic intensity increases, Traffic may install reversible and additional lanes using cones, marking, and signage.
During the operation, certain works will also be halted and sports tests or other events occupying the roadway will be limited.
The DGT will impose restrictions on certain sections and times for dangerous goods vehicles, special transports, and trucks carrying goods in general.
How to check traffic before leaving
The specific situation will change throughout the weekend.
The DGT recommends checking its official channels, the information from 011, radio and television bulletins, and its road status information service before and during the journey.
The piece can be updated from Friday with incidents, kilometers of delays, closed roads, and the situation at the main access points.