Summary

The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) expects massive traffic volumes over the Easter 2026 holidays with significant congestion and disruptions. The North-South axes A2 Gotthard and A13 San Bernardino are particularly affected. Travel traffic begins already on the weekend before Easter (March 27) and continues in the week after Easter. ASTRA recommends staying on the motorway and avoiding diversion traffic on secondary roads to spare the population in affected localities.

Persons

  • No persons mentioned by name

Topics

  • Traffic forecast and congestion expectations
  • Gotthard and San Bernardino routes
  • Diversion traffic and localities
  • Car-carrying stations and mountain passes
  • Traffic management and safety

Clarus Lead

Over the Easter 2026 holidays, ASTRA expects heavy holiday travel traffic, long traffic jams and significant disruptions. Traffic peaks begin as early as Friday, March 27 and last into the week after Easter. Particularly critical are the Gotthard axis (A2) and the San Bernardino route (A13) as well as access routes to popular excursion regions in the Midlands. For decision-makers in traffic management and business stakeholders, coordination of diversion measures and communication with the population are central to minimizing diversion traffic on secondary roads.

Detailed Summary

Easter travel traffic begins already on the weekend before the holidays (from March 27, 2026) and continues over Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Particularly high loads are expected on the early afternoon of Wednesday, April 1 as well as on the later Easter Sunday (return wave) and Easter Monday. In the week after Easter, particularly from April 10-12, increased traffic is expected again. ASTRA's traffic management center monitors the situation around the clock and coordinates measures with cantons and emergency services as needed.

A central problem is diversion traffic on secondary roads: When traffic jams occur on the motorway, vehicles divert to cantonal and municipal roads, leading to additional traffic problems, higher accident risk and potential traffic collapse in affected localities. ASTRA therefore urgently recommends staying on the motorway even during congestion and allowing sufficient time for travel. Travelers should also check their vehicle equipment, as winter conditions may still occur in certain regions. Information on open mountain passes is available online.

Waiting times are expected at the car-carrying stations: Furka (Realp/Oberwald), Lötschberg (Kandersteg/Goppenstein) and Vereina (Klosters-Selfranga/Lavin-Sagliains). The Simplon car train operates until May 28 on a 120-minute schedule. Additional trains are deployed at Lötschberg. From March 28, direct trains Kandersteg–Iselle operate again (reservation required).

Key Messages

  • Traffic peaks begin on March 27 and extend into the week after Easter (April 10–12)
  • Critical axes: A2 Gotthard and A13 San Bernardino are again most severely affected
  • Diversion traffic problem: Congestion leads to strain on secondary roads and endangers local population and commercial traffic
  • Recommendations: Stay on motorway, allow sufficient time, check vehicle equipment
  • Construction work: A9 Simplon pass route opened for Easter; A3 Kerenzerberg tunnel with adjusted closure schedule
  • Car-carrying: Waiting times at Furka, Lötschberg and Vereina; additional trains at Lötschberg

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: Is the traffic forecast based on historical data from Easter 2025 and earlier years, or were new factors (e.g., construction sites, population growth) considered for 2026?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: What incentives does ASTRA have to downplay or exaggerate congestion forecasts? Is there pressure from tourism associations or transport companies?

  3. Causality: Is it proven that diversion traffic on secondary roads actually leads to traffic collapse, or is this a theoretical scenario without empirical evidence?

  4. Feasibility: How realistic is it that travelers will stay on the motorway during congestion when navigation devices and real-time traffic information show alternative routes?

  5. Side Effects: Can congestion reduction measures (e.g., dynamic toll systems) trigger unintended shifts to other axes?

  6. Completeness: Are impacts on public transport (trains, buses, PostBus) and their capacity limits considered in the forecast?

Source Directory

Primary Source: ASTRA Press Release – Traffic Forecast for Easter 2026 – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/Cs9ThUjIQRhtjls1UzUb2

Verification Status: ✓ March 18, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: March 18, 2026