The overall traffic forecast for this weekend is for moderate to high congestion, particularly on main arteries and around major urban centres due to a combination of weekend travel, specific large-scale events, and ongoing regional celebrations.

The day will see a significant increase in vehicle movements from early afternoon, as people begin their weekend getaways. The DGT anticipates heavy traffic on the main exit routes from large cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville, and on the motorways leading to coastal areas and second homes. This will be exacerbated by the general end-of-week commute.

Expect delays on the A-3 in the direction of Valencia, the A-4 towards Seville, the A-6 heading north from Madrid, and the AP-7 along the Mediterranean coast.

A major factor affecting traffic today will be the Stage 19 of La Vuelta, the Spanish cycling tour, which will be traversing the provinces of Valladolid and Salamanca, from Rueda to Guijuelo. This will cause rolling road closures and diversions on the roads along the route, impacting local and regional travel.

Traffic on Saturday morning will remain busy, with a continued flow of vehicles to coastal areas and popular tourist destinations. Short-distance journeys to beaches and leisure spots will add to the congestion on local roads, especially around the Valencian Community and the Costa del Sol.

In the afternoon, the focus shifts to a major sporting event: Stage 20 of La Vuelta, which includes a challenging mountain stage from Robledo de Chavela to the Bola del Mundo summit, near Madrid. Road closures will be in effect on the M-505 and other local roads in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, causing significant diversions and delays for anyone travelling in or around the area.

The Fiestas de la Vendimia in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, will also be in full swing, with celebrations likely to cause local road closures and increased pedestrian traffic in the city centre.

Sunday will be dominated by return traffic, with a large volume of vehicles heading back to the major urban centres. Congestion is expected to build from the late afternoon and continue into the evening, particularly on the main inbound arteries to Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. The DGT advises a cautious approach, as this is typically a high-risk time for road incidents.

The final stage of La Vuelta 2025 will conclude in Madrid with the traditional final podium and procession, which will lead to multiple road closures in the city centre, including the Paseo de la Castellana and Cibeles Square. Anyone travelling into or out of Madrid should be prepared for significant delays and diversions.

The Bull and Horse Droving in Segorbe, Castellón, will also be concluding, causing local traffic disruption in the town.

Looking ahead to next week, traffic is expected to return to more typical weekday patterns after the weekend’s events. However, the DGT will be monitoring several regional events and ongoing roadworks.

Normal school and work commutes will be the primary cause of traffic issues during the morning and evening rush hours.

The post Expect Moderate to High Traffic in Spain this Weekend first appeared on N332 Travel Updates.