The last major Operation Return of summer is already underway. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) estimates that there will be 6,880,000 long-distance trips from 3:00 PM on Friday, August 28, until midnight on Monday, August 31, during a weekend when those returning from their vacations coincide with those starting their break in September and the usual trips to beaches and second homes.
These movements are joined by the return of numerous foreign-registered vehicles to other European countries and the second phase of the Operation Crossing of the Strait, which will increase traffic from south to north. The DGT recommends planning trips and checking the state of the roads before getting behind the wheel.
This Saturday, avoid between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM
The most complicated time on this Saturday, August 29 will be between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Traffic expects especially intense circulation during those hours in the direction of leaving the large urban centers, mainly caused by weekend trips to coastal areas, beaches, and second homes.
The greatest difficulties may therefore concentrate on the main exit roads from Madrid and other large metropolitan areas, the Mediterranean corridor, and the access roads to coastal towns. In Madrid, this requires paying special attention to the major radial roads —A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, and A-6/AP-6— while on the coast, the highest intensities are common on axes such as A-7 and AP-7 and on the roads connecting coastal towns.
In any case, there is no single road that should be avoided throughout the country: the critical point will depend on the origin and destination of the trip, so the DGT advises checking real-time incidents before leaving.
Special attention to the roads of Alcañiz for MotoGP
The Operation Return coincides this year with the Aragon Grand Prix of MotoGP, which takes place at MotorLand, in Alcañiz, and will generate thousands of additional trips, especially of motorcycles.
The DGT has deployed a specific device and highlights as particularly sensitive this Saturday the roads N-211 and N-232, the main access roads to the circuit. Local roads such as A-2404, TE-35, TE-V-7032, and TE-V-7033 will also be affected.
For those who have to cross the area but are not heading to MotorLand, Traffic recommends alternatives. On the route Zaragoza-Castellón, it advises using the A-23 via Teruel, while for trips between Zaragoza and Tarragona, it proposes the AP-2 via Lleida.
The real peak of the return will arrive on Sunday
Although this Saturday may cause significant delays in the morning, the large movement of return will occur on Sunday the 30th. In the morning, problems are expected at accesses to beaches and coastal roads, and from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, traffic towards Madrid, Barcelona, and other major urban centers will increase significantly.
The DGT plans to install additional and reversible lanes at certain points, halt construction works, and restrict some special transports to facilitate flow. It will also reinforce surveillance with Civil Guard agents, radars, drones, cameras, and helicopters.
On Monday the 31st, there will still be heavy traffic
The operation will not end on Sunday. On Monday the 31st, the return of those who have waited until the last day of August will continue, with high traffic for a good part of the day and greater complications between 4:00 PM and 11:00 PM. The intensity will, however, be more spread out because a significant portion of travelers will have returned over the weekend.
For this Saturday, the main recommendation is simple: if possible, avoid traveling between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, especially if the journey starts in a large city, ends in a coastal area, or crosses the surroundings of Alcañiz. Traffic also reminds that the actual state of a road can change quickly due to accidents or delays, so it advises checking traffic information just before starting the trip.