Bulgaria restricts lorry traffic on major motorways during Easter 2026 long weekend

Bulgaria’s Road Infrastructure Agency announced on April 9 restrictions on the movement of heavy lorries on major motorways during the Orthodox Easter four-day weekend.

In the days before Easter, heavy traffic is forecast at the main exits from Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia, the Road Infrastructure Agency said.

About 191 000 vehicles are expected to leave Sofia. Last year, there were about 185 000, the agency said.

About 130 000 vehicles are expected to head to the Trakia, Hemus and Struma motorways.

The busiest is expected to be the Trakia Motorway, with about 62 000 vehicles expected, followed by Hemus, more than 35 000, and Struma, 32 000.

The heaviest traffic is expected in the afternoon and evening hours in the days immediately before the holiday, when the traffic can reach 4000 vehicles per hour.

The agency recommended that motorists plan their trips outside peak hours, to choose earlier or later departure times if possible, to inform themselves in advance about the traffic situation and to drive with increased caution, so as to avoid traffic jams and ensure safer and more peaceful movement.

In connection with the expected heavy traffic during the weekends, the movement of heavy lorries over 12 tons will be temporarily restricted on the busiest road directions Trakia Motorway, on Hemus Motorway in the section from the Sofia exit (at km 0) to the road connection at the roundabout with road I-4 (87th km), on Struma Motorway and on road I-1 in the section from Simitli substation (376th km) to Kresna substation on Struma Motorway (402nd km).

The aim is to facilitate travel, increase traffic safety, and limit risks of road accidents due to improper overtaking and the formation of a column of heavy lorries during heavy traffic.

On the last working day – April 9, between 3pm. and 8pm, the movement of heavy lorries leaving Sofia will be restricted.

On the first day off – April 10, from 9am to 2pm, the movement of vehicles over 12 leaving the capital will again be restricted.

On the last day off – April 13, from noon to 8pm, the movement of heavy lorries traveling to Sofia will be restricted. 

The restriction does not apply to road vehicles over 12 tons that carry out public passenger transport, as well as to motor vehicles that transport dangerous goods, live animals, perishable food products and temperature-controlled cargo and specialized carcass lorries traveling on the Hemus Motorway, Struma Motorway and the section of road I-1 in Blagoevgrad district.

On the Trakia Motorway, the ban does not apply to motor vehicles that carry out public passenger transport. Also on the Trakia Motorway, for those travelling in the direction of Sofia, the ban does not apply to vehicles with dangerous goods in the section from the Ihtiman turnoff (34th km) to the Vakarel turnoff (23rd km).

From noon on April 9 to 4pm on April 11, traffic in the direction of Kulata will be in two lanes, and traffic towards Sofia will be in one lane.

On April 12 and 13, two lanes will be provided for cars travelling towards Sofia and one in the direction of Kulata.

During the restriction on peak days and hours, drivers of heavy lorries over 12 tons may use sections of the national road network as alternative routes, while respecting the permanent traffic organisation in force for them.

The Road Infrastructure Agency appealed to motorists to drive carefully, to observe traffic rules and speed limits, and not to undertake risky overtaking that endangers the safety of all other travellers. Do not use emergency lanes on highways to move faster in heavy traffic. This prevents the passage of vehicles with a special traffic regime in the event of an accident, the agency said.