Millions of Drivers Trapped in China’s 24-Hour Traffic Nightmare
What was meant to be a calm end to China’s Golden Week holiday turned into chaos as millions of drivers were stuck in traffic for more than 24 hours. Drone footage from Anhui Province showed endless red brake lights at the Wuzhuang Toll Station, one of the largest in China. The highways looked like parking lots as cars barely moved.
The jam began as travelers returned home from the week-long holiday. With billions of trips recorded each year, the surge of vehicles overwhelmed the roads. Many drivers said they spent an entire day in the same spot without food, water, or restrooms.
Videos online showed motorists eating instant noodles, napping in their cars, and walking along the highway. Some families set up camps, while villagers sold snacks and water at high prices.
Even with 36 lanes, the Wuzhuang Toll Station became a major choke point as vehicles tried to merge. Roadwork, freight trucks, and limited alternative routes worsened the situation. Experts blamed poor traffic management, heavy car volume, and outdated toll systems. Once the jam began, it took hours for traffic to move again.
In 2010, the Beijing-Tibet Expressway suffered one of the world’s worst jams, lasting nearly two weeks and stretching over 100 kilometers. The 2025 Golden Week chaos shows that car growth continues to outpace road capacity.
The incident renewed calls for better traffic forecasting, smarter toll systems, and staggered travel schedules. Though the roads eventually cleared, many drivers were left exhausted, and the long line of red lights became another reminder of China’s traffic troubles.
