Massive Traffic Jam Hits Tirana–Elbasan Road as Holidaymakers and Summer Migrants Head South

ELBASAN, Albania – Heavy traffic has once again brought congestion to the Tirana–Bradashesh Roundabout–Elbasan national highway, as thousands of motorists headed toward southeastern Albania's tourist destinations ahead of the weekend.

 Heavy traffic built up on the Tirana–Bradashesh Roundabout–Elbasan national highway as motorists headed toward southeastern Albania ahead of the weekend.

According to footage from the scene, vehicle queues stretched for several kilometers, with traffic backing up all the way to the entrance of the tunnel. Drivers experienced long delays as traffic moved at a crawl during Friday afternoon.

The surge is largely attributed to residents leaving Tirana for popular tourist areas in southeastern Albania, creating a significant increase in traffic from the early afternoon hours.

The situation has been further worsened by the large influx of Albanian migrants returning home for their summer holidays, adding thousands of additional vehicles to the country's road network.

Another major factor contributing to the congestion is the ongoing construction works on the Tirana–Durrës highway. As a result, many drivers traveling toward Albania's coastline have been diverted through Elbasan, placing additional pressure on the already busy Bradashesh roundabout.

Motorists are facing extended travel times and slow-moving traffic, while authorities urge drivers to remain patient, respect traffic regulations, and exercise extra caution when traveling through the affected area.