The Netherlands experienced its most congested rush hour of 2026 on Wednesday, 13 May. Traffic jams reached a total length of 1,046 kilometres. The ANWB reported that this set a new record for the year. This peak surpassed the traffic jams caused by heavy snowfall in January. The gridlock peaked around 5:25 pm.
A perfect storm for congestion
Traffic experts expected a busy evening. Many residents left early for the Ascension Day long weekend. This holiday falls on Thursday, 14 May. Unlike a normal rush hour, traffic moved in all directions.
The congestion had an international character. Many Dutch holidaymakers drove toward Germany and Belgium. At the same time, visitors from neighbouring countries entered the Netherlands. This massive movement created bottlenecks at major junctions and border crossings.
Accidents worsen the gridlock
Road accidents made the situation worse. Crashes involving lorries blocked lanes on the A16 and the A2. These incidents forced traffic into narrow funnels. Motorists faced hours of extra travel time.
Central regions also faced heavy delays. South Holland and the area around Utrecht came to a complete standstill. The convergence of major motorways created a “lock” that took hours to clear.
Comparison to winter peaks
Before Wednesday, two snowy days in January held the 2026 record. Those days saw 1,020 kilometres of traffic. While snow caused the winter delays, pure volume caused this new record. The ANWB confirmed that roads became clearer after the early evening peak.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
