Barcelona braces for traffic exodus as nearly 500,000 vehicles set to leave for long weekend

The Catalan Traffic Service (SCT) estimates that around 490,000 vehicles will leave the Barcelona metropolitan area between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning due to the Pentecost long weekend.

The SCT, in collaboration with the traffic division of the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police), will implement a special operation from 3:00pm on Friday until 10:00pm on Monday, June 9, which is a holiday in the Catalan capital and nearly 200 municipalities, mainly in the Barcelona area.

It is expected that around 300,000 vehicles will return on Monday, especially between 5:30pm and 9:30pm.

Traffic authorities do not anticipate major traffic jams on Sunday.

The most significant impact of outbound traffic will occur on Friday between 2:00pm and 10:00pm, and Saturday between 10:00am and 3:00pm.

The roads expected to see the most traffic include the AP-7 in the sections from Sant Cugat del Vallès to La Roca del Vallès – Llinars del Vallès, and between Castellbisbal and Gelida.

There will also be heavy traffic on roads leading to coastal towns, such as the N-340 near El Vendrell, and in the Costa Brava area on the C-35 and C-65 near Llagostera.

Congestion is also possible on the C-58 near Montcada i Reixac and on the B-23 near El Papiol.

Traffic returning to the metropolitan area is expected to peak between 5:00pm and 9:00pm on Monday.

La Volta

In addition, roads will be affected by La Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Femenina – Catalonia's leading women's cycling race – taking place from June 6 to 9.

The first stage will be held Friday between El Perelló and Reus, the second on Saturday between Bagà and La Molina/Coll de Pal, and the final stage on Sunday between Castelldefels and Barcelona.