Traffic Forecast for the Second Weekend of July
As the second weekend of the school holidays approaches, vacationers are gearing up to take advantage of the summer weather. Bison Futé forecasts a significant increase in long-distance departures, particularly from the north towards the south or coastal regions. This weekend, the number of vacationers, known as 'Julyists,' is expected to be higher than the previous weekend, especially in the direction of departures.
Major Traffic Congestions Expected
Many traffic difficulties are anticipated starting Friday, July 12, especially in metropolitan areas and their outskirts as well as on roads leading to vacation spots. The A62 and A63 motorways in the South-West and the A7 and A50 motorways in the South-East are expected to be particularly busy. The A13, A25, and A1 motorways heading north will also see significant congestion.
In Île-de-France, traffic is expected to be very dense from late morning towards various toll gates, particularly on the A6 and A10 motorways. The Boulevard Périphérique, the A86, and the A6B will also experience heavy traffic, exacerbated by work-home journeys and weekend departures. These congestions are expected to persist until late in the evening.
Saturday and Sunday Traffic Outlook
On Saturday, traffic in the direction of departures will be even more congested, especially on major motorways. Vacation departures will primarily occur in the morning until mid-afternoon. The A11, A10 (near Orléans), and A7 motorways will be particularly congested, and access to the Mont-Blanc tunnel will be difficult. In Île-de-France, slowdowns could appear early in the morning on the A10 and to a lesser extent on the A6 motorway.
Sunday, July 14, will see smoother traffic compared to the previous two days. However, numerous trips are expected in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, particularly on the A7 motorway. In Île-de-France, some departures may still occur, with traffic difficulties expected between late morning and early afternoon. In the direction of returns towards Île-de-France, high flow rates at various toll gates of the A10 and A6 motorways could cause traffic difficulties from mid-afternoon to late evening.
- The road safety organization Bison Futé also anticipates a Saturday with many congestions, particularly in the northwest of the country and on the A7, in the Rhône valley. Sunday will be more peaceful but will see the first traffic peaks in the direction of returns this summer.
- In the northwest quarter, the bulk of the difficulties will be concentrated on the routes which connect popular destinations for holidaymakers: the A62 and the A63 in the South-West, as well as the A7 and A50 motorways in the South-East. The north of the country will not be left out with congestion expected on the A13, the A25 and the A1. Consequently, the day is classified red in the direction of departures throughout the north-west quarter, namely: Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire and France's Island.
- In the latter, traffic will be very heavy from late morning towards the various toll gates, particularly on the A6 and A10 motorways. The Paris ring road, the A86 and the A6B will also be affected by these difficulties, which is why it is preferable, if you can, to leave or cross the region before 12 p.m. The areas not recommended by Bison Futé are as follows: The A1 between Paris and Lille from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., The A25 between Lille and Socx from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., The A13 between Paris and Caen from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., The A10 near Orléans from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and near Bordeaux from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The A63 between Bordeaux and Bayonne from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., The A7 between Lyon and Marseille from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., The Mont-Blanc tunnel (N 205) between France and Italy from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- On Saturday, the day will be difficult across the country. Bison Futé sees red in Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The rest of France is placed on orange alert. Departures on vacation will mainly take place in the morning until mid-afternoon, predicts Bison Futé. The A11, A10 (near Orléans) and A7 motorways will be particularly congested, and access to the Mont-Blanc tunnel will be difficult. In the Paris region, the A10 and the A6 will be the most congested axes, as well as the roads which converge there. The A13 may also experience traffic difficulties from mid-morning. These congestion could continue until the beginning of the afternoon, which leads Bison Futé to advise motorists to leave or cross Île-de-France before noon.
- Finally, be sure to avoid the following areas as much as possible: The A11 between Le Mans and Nantes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., The A10 near Orléans from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and near Bordeaux from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., The A63 between Bordeaux and Bayonne from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., The A7 between Lyon and Orange from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The A9 between Béziers and Spain from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The A20 between Limoges and Brive-la-Gaillarde from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., The N 85 between Grenoble and Gap between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., The N 165 between Nantes and Quimper from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Mont-Blanc tunnel (N 205) between France and Italy from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Many trips are expected in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, particularly on the A7 motorway, Bison Futé anticipates in its forecasts. In the direction of departures, the day is classified orange in the region, as well as in Île-de-France. Some departures may in fact be recorded in the Ile-de-France region, with traffic difficulties between the end of the morning and the beginning of the afternoon. So be sure to leave or cross Île-de-France before 8 a.m. and avoid the following routes: The A7 between Lyon and Orange from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., The A6 near Fleury from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., The Mont-Blanc tunnel (N 205) between France and Italy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Finally, if you take the road in the direction of returns this weekend, Bison Futé sees green across the country from Friday to Sunday. Only Île-de-France is an exception for Sunday, classified orange. No particular route to avoid, but you are still advised to leave or cross the Ile-de-France region before midday for greater peace of mind.
