{
  "id": 13176584,
  "title": "Millions hit Spanish roads for bank holiday weekend as accidents cause major delays",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/millions-hit-spanish-roads-for-bank-holiday-weekend-as-accidents",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T18:19:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euro Weekly News",
    "slug": "euro-weekly-news",
    "url": "https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/10/09/millions-hit-spanish-roads-for-bank-holiday-weekend-as-accidents-cause-major-delays/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Millions of Spanish holidaymakers are facing major traffic delays as they attempt to escape for the four-day National Day bank holiday weekend, which begins on Monday, 12 October. The timing is particularly challenging for drivers in Madrid and Barcelona, with long queues and accidents causing significant disruptions. The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) predicts around 5.7 million long-distance journeys during the holiday period. In Madrid, traffic on the A-1 near Circuito del Jarama and Somosierra has built up, with queues exceeding three kilometres. Other major roads leading out of the capital, such as the A-3, A-4, A-42, and A-5, are also experiencing delays. Barcelona has encountered congestion on the AP-7 and the city’s ring roads, with an accident near Cerdanyola del Vallès contributing to a nine-kilometre queue towards Girona. Similar issues are affecting drivers leaving Valencia, with heavy traffic reported on the A-3 near Buñol and Siete Aguas. In Zaragoza province, an accident on the A-68 near Mallén is causing disruption. The Ronda de Dalt in Barcelona is heavily congested, with queues of up to nine kilometres in both directions. To avoid the worst queues, drivers are advised to check road conditions through the DGT website or its traffic information service before embarking on their journey. The return journey is expected to be equally congested, with the DGT anticipating heavy traffic on Monday afternoon and evening, particularly between 04:00pm and 11:00pm.",
  "summary": "The Puente del Pilar getaway is already turning into a headache for drivers across Spain, with accidents and long queues […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Long queues and accidents cause significant disruptions in Madrid and Barcelona.",
    "DGT predicts around 5.7 million long-distance journeys during the holiday period."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}