Attention: Traffic restrictions on the Trakia, Struma, and Hemus highways due to the holidays

29.04.2026 | Transport and communications

Heavy traffic is expected around May 1st. Restrictions are being introduced for trucks over 12 t on the Trakia, Struma, and Hemus highways, as well as reversible traffic in the Simlitli area.

Снимка от Artyom Svetlov, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Mass travel expected across the national road network

During the upcoming holiday weekend around May 1st, significant increases in traffic are expected. Forecasts indicate that the number of vehicles could reach approximately 1.7 million cars per day.

At the exits from Sofia, traffic will be most intense during the afternoon and evening hours on April 30th, as well as until noon on May 1st. Around 185,000 cars are expected to head towards the Trakia, Hemus, and Struma motorways.

Restrictions for heavy goods vehicles

To avoid congestion and increase safety, temporary restrictions will be introduced for trucks over 12 tons in the following directions:

It is important to note that the ban does not apply to vehicles transporting dangerous goods (ADR), live animals, perishable foods, or specialized refrigerated trucks.

Reversible lanes and road repairs

In the Simitli area, reversible lanes will be introduced on road I-1 to facilitate traffic towards Bansko. On April 30th and May 1st, traffic towards Kula will be in two lanes, while towards Sofia it will be in only one.

Simultaneously, due to a landslide at the 103rd km of the Struma Motorway, traffic towards Sofia between the 97th and 104th km remains restricted. Drivers are urged to use detour routes and follow safety rules.

Useful tools for drivers

Drivers can monitor traffic load in real-time via the interactive map of the API and the National Toll Management: bgtoll.bg/traffic_passes. It shows the number of vehicles that have passed during the last 15 minutes and for the last hour.