Ascension Day: traffic jam from Gotthard to Chiasso (cross-border guide)
8 km queues at the Gotthard and over an hour of waiting on the A2 towards Chiasso. Authorities advise alternatives to ease traffic.
Contesto
In brief - 8 km tailback at the Gotthard - Over an hour of waiting on the A2 towards Chiasso - Red alert across the entire cantonal network - 50,000 vehicles estimated in transit southbound ## Key facts - What: Ascension Day exodus - When: 9 May 2026 - Where: A2 motorway, Ticino - Who: Motorists heading south - Amount: 8 km tailback at the Gotthard, 1,200 vehicles per hour in transit at Chiasso The Ascension Day brings with it the traditional exodus southward, and from the early hours of the day, traffic on Ticino's roads has reached critical levels. The heaviest situation is on the A2, where long columns have formed between Bellinzona south and Mendrisio in the direction of Chiasso, with travel times exceeding one hour. But it's not just the motorway under pressure: traffic is intense on much of the cantonal network, with slowdowns and congested stretches especially in the Mendrisiotto and Lugano areas. ### The most problematic stretches Among the most problematic points are the A24 between Stabio and Mendrisio towards Stabio, where tailbacks of up to 3 km are recorded, the road to the Gaggiolo customs with waiting times of up to 45 minutes, and several main axes of the Malcantone, where columns are recorded in stretches between Gravesano and Ponte Tresa. Discomfort also in the opposite direction, between Bioggio and Manno, with slowdowns of up to 20 minutes. Sustained traffic also on the Magadino plain, between Cadenazzo and Quartino towards Locarno, as well as on the cantonal road between Lamone and Vezia, where traffic is moving slowly. The situation is also critical at the Gotthard. On the A2 southbound, between Erstfeld and Göschenen, tailbacks of about 8 km have formed, with waiting times reaching an hour and a half. To ease the situation, the Göschenen motor...
Dettagli operativi
Implications for cross-border workers For cross-border workers who commute to Ticino and reside in Italy, the Ascension Day exodus can significantly impact travel times. Those driving south across the border may face long queues and above-average waiting times. For instance, in 2022, the Chiasso border crossing experienced queues of up to 4 hours during the Ascension Day long weekend, with traffic peaks between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. It is advisable to plan the journey in advance and consider alternative transportation options, such as the train or carpooling, to avoid the inconveniences caused by heavy traffic. ### Comparison with the previous situation Compared to previous years, the situation this year seems particularly critical, with longer queues and higher waiting times. This could be due to an increase in the number of vehicles on the road or ongoing roadworks. In 2021, the Brogeda border crossing recorded an average of 1,200 vehicles per hour during the Ascension Day long weekend, while in 2023 the number rose to 1,500 vehicles per hour. It is important to stay updated on traffic conditions through official websites and navigation apps to avoid surprises. ### Alternative scenarios If traffic conditions worsen further, authorities might decide to temporarily close other highway entrances or divert traffic onto secondary roads. In this case, it is crucial to be flexible and willing to modify your route based on law enforcement instructions. For cross-border workers using border crossings such as Brogeda, Gaggiolo, or Ponte Tresa, it is important to check real-time traffic conditions and consider using public transportation or carpooling services to avoid excessive queues. Additionally, it is advisable to leave with sufficient time margin to avoid delays in reac...
Punti chiave
What to do to avoid disruptions To minimize the disruptions caused by heavy traffic during Ascension Day, here are some practical tips for cross-border commuters: 1. Plan your trip in advance: Check traffic forecasts and plan your route based on road conditions. For example, traffic on the Gotthard can increase by 300% compared to normal days, with travel times going from 1 hour to over 3 hours. For Chiasso, waiting times can double, going from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. 2. Consider alternative transportation: Evaluate using the train or carpooling to avoid highway queues. The train from Lugano to Milan takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes, while by car the time can vary from 1 hour and 30 minutes to over 3 hours depending on traffic. Carpooling can reduce costs by 50%, with an average saving of 50 CHF per trip. 3. Leave early: If you need to cross the border by car, leave with enough time to avoid delays. For example, for those leaving from Lugano to Milan, it is advisable to leave before 6:00 AM to avoid the busiest queues. 4. Keep an eye on authorities' instructions: Follow the instructions of law enforcement and road authorities to avoid unnecessary detours. Ticino authorities may temporarily close certain roads, such as the A2 between Biasca and Bellinzona, to manage traffic. 5. Use navigation apps: Apps like Google Maps or Waze can provide real-time traffic information and suggest alternative routes. For example, Waze can suggest alternative routes through secondary roads such as the San Bernardino road, which may be less congested than the highway. ### Operational Checklist - Check traffic forecasts before leaving. - Check train schedules and book in advance. - Organize carpooling with colleagues or friends. - Leave at least 1 hour earlier than usual. - Foll...
Punti chiave
[{"q":"Which routes are the most problematic during the Ascension?","a":"The most problematic routes include the A24 between Stabio and Mendrisio towards Stabio, the road to the Gaggiolo customs, and several main axes of Malcantone, with traffic jams between Gravesano and Ponte Tresa. Also, there are disruptions between Bioggio and Manno, on the Piano di Magadino between Cadenazzo and Quartino towards Locarno, and on the cantonal road between Lamone and Vezia."},{"q":"What alternatives are recommended to avoid heavy traffic?","a":"Authorities recommend using the A13 San Bernardino as an alternative to the A2. Additionally, you can consider using the train or carpooling to avoid traffic jams on the motorway."},{"q":"How can I stay updated on traffic conditions?","a":"You can stay updated on traffic conditions through official websites and navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze. It is also advisable to follow the instructions of the police and road authorities."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which routes are the most problematic during the Ascension?
- The most problematic routes include the A24 between Stabio and Mendrisio towards Stabio, the road to the Gaggiolo customs, and several main axes of Malcantone, with traffic jams between Gravesano and Ponte Tresa. Also, there are disruptions between Bioggio and Manno, on the Piano di Magadino between Cadenazzo and Quartino towards Locarno, and on the cantonal road between Lamone and Vezia.
- What alternatives are recommended to avoid heavy traffic?
- Authorities recommend using the A13 San Bernardino as an alternative to the A2. Additionally, you can consider using the train or carpooling to avoid traffic jams on the motorway.
- How can I stay updated on traffic conditions?
- You can stay updated on traffic conditions through official websites and navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze. It is also advisable to follow the instructions of the police and road authorities.