ADAC: Fewer Traffic Jams on German Motorways in 2025, but They Lasted Longer

Approximately 496,000 traffic jams occurred on German motorways in 2025, totaling 478,000 hours of delay, according to ADAC's analysis of the traffic year. Although the total number of traffic jams decreased by about 4% from 516,000 in 2024, the total duration of these jams increased by approximately 7%. The overall length of accumulated traffic jams reached 866,000 kilometers.

Road construction is cited as the primary cause for the congestion, with an average of 650 to 1300 construction sites active on motorways nationwide simultaneously throughout 2025. The longest recorded traffic jam stretched up to 55 kilometers on the A7 motorway between Ulm and Füssen/Reutte on Saturday, December 27, following the Christmas holidays.

Peak congestion times coincided with holidays and vacation periods. Specific days with significant delays included January due to winter weather, April and May around public holidays, and June and August during the summer travel season. October and July were identified as the months with the highest number of jam hours.

ADAC advises travelers to avoid journeys during peak travel times, such as days before public holidays and the start of vacation periods, to minimize delays. The organization forecasts that the traffic situation is unlikely to improve significantly in the near future, as the number of planned construction sites is expected to remain high.