Spain Traffic
Spain Traffic report
Traveling to Spain and going on holiday with the car (and caravan), is a great outlook. Being well prepared for a long journey through Europe is half the job. Below you will find information on the busy roads, border crossings, traffic calendars, alternative routes, peak days and hours, traffic information services, etc., in Spain.
Phone
- In Spain, traffic information in Spanish is provided by the Spanish traffic police (Dirección General del Tráfico) via 900 12 35 05 (24 hours a day) or via Racerutas 902 40 45 45.
- Traffic information (only in Spanish) about the Basque Country and Catalonia is provided via the Basque police traffic service via 902 11 20 88 or the Catalan police via 902 40 00 12.
Radio
Traffic information is broadcasted once per hour by RNE1 (88.2). On RNE5 (90.3) every half hour, also in English.
Internet
- Extensive traffic information in Spanish can be found on dgt.es and specifically for the Basque Country on trafikoa.net (Spanish and Basque).
- A map with traffic information from the Catalan automobile club RACC can be found at infotransit.racc.es.
- More Catalan traffic information with map and webcams on mct.gencat.cat.
Busy roads
- A1 Madrid – Burgos: bottlenecks at Madrid, San Augustín de Gualalix and Molar.
- A2 Madrid – Barcelona: bottlenecks at Madrid, Alcalá de Haenares, Guadalajara.
- A3 Madrid – Valencia: bottlenecks at Vaciamadrid, Villarejo de Salvanés and between Chiva and Valencia.
- A4 / A44 Madrid – Granada: bottlenecks at Madrid, Aranjuez, Ocaña, Santa Elena (south of Valdepeñas and Córdoba).
- A7 Perpignan – Barcelona: bottlenecks between the Spanish / French border crossing La Jonquera / Le Perthus (AP7) and Salou.
- A8 Irún – Donostia / San Sebastián.
- Roads to and along Costa Brava and Costa Dorada (C31 / C32 / C65 / C66).
- Roads along the Costa del Azahar, between Tarragona and Peñiscola (A7 / N340).
- Roads along the Costa del Sol, between Motril and Marbella (A7 / N340 / AP7).
- Roads along the coast in the Alicante area (N332 / A7 / AP7).
- Roads from Barcelona towards the Pyrenees / Vall d’Aran (C17 / C16).
- Roads around Madrid, Bilbao, Barcelona, Seville, Alméria, Cadiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Malaga, Valencia, Alicante and Castellón.
Busy border crossings
With Portugal: Vilar Formoso
Busy days
- The summer vacation for the Spaniards is from the end of June to mid-September. The holiday mainly ensures peak crowds in the first and last weekend of August.
- During the days around 15 August (Maria Ascension / Asunción de Maria) the roads throughout the country can be extra busy.
- In and around Barcelona it is very busy every year for Sant Joan (23/24 June).
Peak hours
Many Spaniards who live in the big cities regularly go to the Mediterranean coast during the summer. Partly because of this it can be extra busy at the following moments:
- Friday between 3 and 11 p.m.
- Saturday between 9 am and 2 pm.
- Sunday between 10 am and 1 pm and between 3 pm and 11 pm.
- Monday between 7 and 9.30 a.m.
Roads and routes
- The fastest route is via the motorways (toll) via Belgium – France.
- If you want to avoid toll roads in France, you will travel on the Nationales and Departmental Routes routes through France. A detailed map or navigation system is recommended.
- The so-called ‘Bison Futé routes’ can also be followed in France. These routes are signposted with (old) green directional signs with the word ‘Bis’ or Itinéraire Bis in a yellow box next to the place name. The newest signs are black with yellow letters ‘Bis’.
Alternative routes
- Barcelona to the south: follow the C32 until exit 31, El Vendrell. Here the road connects again to the AP7 towards Tarragona.
- Alternative to A3 Madrid – Albacete: follow the AP 36 Aranjuez – Albacete motorway.
Driving ban for trucks
- In Spain there is no general driving ban for trucks on the weekend or on public holidays.
- Regionally (especially on the access roads to Madrid and Barcelona) a driving ban for trucks can apply on Sundays and (regional) holidays. Regional driving bans for trucks can also apply on weekends from June to September (the holiday period).
- Go to dgt.es/es/el-trafico/restricciones (Spanish) for more information about regional driving bans in Spain.
Road network
- Spain has a well-developed and maintained road network.
- Traditionally the core of the road network in Spain has been formed by the roads that radiate from Madrid all over the country. For many of these highways (autopistas) tolls are charged (autopistas de peaje, AP). Also important is the Autopista del Meditarráneo, which follows the entire east coast. These roads are well maintained.
- Other main connections are the motorways (autovías) and national roads (carreteras nacionales) with two or four lanes.
- Country roads with moderate roads and unpaved roads only occur in remote areas and nature reserves.
Roadside assistance in Spain
- Stop in a safe place – If possible, stop in the side of the road or on the emergency lane as far to the right as possible (make sure there is room to step out on the right). Turn your front wheels towards roadside or guardrail.
- Turn on your emergency lights – Let the emergency lights of your car flash and also keep them on after you have placed a warning triangle.
- Put on a safety vest – The driver and passengers are obliged to wear a safety vest if they break out of the built-up area, at night and in poor visibility, in the event of a breakdown or accident.
- Get out of the car – Carefully get out, and let all passengers get out, on the side where there is no traffic and find a safe place behind the guard rail or on the roadside. Never cross a highway.
- Place a warning triangle if possible – If your car comes to a halt on the road due to a breakdown or accident and is an obstacle to other traffic, you are obliged to place a warning triangle behind the car, unless this is not possible due to heavy traffic (too dangerous). Place the warning triangle at least 50 m behind your car and in such a way that it is visible from at least 100 meters. (Place a second warning triangle at least 50 m in front of the car. This is only necessary on a two-way road and is only mandatory for cars with a Spanish license plate.) A warning triangle must be arranged so that it is visible from 100 m.
Towing
- Towing on motorways and motorways is prohibited. You need to call in a specialized recovery company.
- On other roads it is only permitted to tow a car that has a breakdown to the nearest safe place (for example the emergency lane, breakdown port or roadside) where it does not obstruct other traffic. You can also only tow if this is safe.
Accident
- Call the emergency number 112 – In the event of an accident that has resulted in serious personal injury or considerable damage, you are required to call the emergency number 112. In the event of a collision that has only led to very minor injury or limited damage, it is sufficient for all parties to agree to exchange data. However, always call the police when in doubt.
- Do not leave the scene of the accident – If one or more people were injured in an accident, you are obliged to remain at the scene of the accident until the emergency services have arrived.
- Provide first aid – If you are involved in, or witness to, an accident, be obliged to provide assistance to persons who are injured to the extent that you are able to do so and can do so without endangering yourself or others. Note: In Spain, every road user who passes the site of an accident is also obliged to stop and provide assistance to the injured, if the emergency services are not yet on site or if adequate assistance is not yet provided.
- Exchange data – All parties involved in an accident are required to exchange their personal data and insurance data.