Spain’s traffic authority Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) will launch its final special summer traffic operation at 3 pm on Friday, 28 August 2026. The operation will run until midnight on Monday, 31 August 2026(Operación Retorno). The DGT forecasts 6.9 million long-distance journeys nationwide during this period.
According to the authorities, the return wave from coastal and holiday areas towards major urban centres will coincide with typical weekend traffic. They also expect more foreign vehicles on main routes and at border crossings, as holidaymakers return to their homes in other European countries. The DGT says traffic management will be adjusted accordingly.
For Extremadura The Delegación del Gobierno specifies the forecast: 91,000 journeys are expected during the operation, of which 54,600 will be in the province of Badajoz and 36,440 in the province of Cáceres. This would represent a 1.46% increase in daily traffic intensity compared with the previous year. The figures relate to long-distance journeys as part of Operación Retorno.
To carry out the operation, the DGT will use a wide range of technology alongside the Agrupación de Tráfico of the Guardia Civil and the authority’s traffic control centres. Plans include fixed and mobile speed cameras, Pegasus helicopters, drones, camera-based surveillance and unmarked vehicles to monitor offences involving distraction, such as mobile phone use, as well as compliance with seat-belt requirements.
To ease congestion on busy stretches, the DGT has announced reversible or additional lanes, temporary diversions, the temporary suspension of roadworks and restrictions on the transport of dangerous goods. The authority says up-to-date information on traffic conditions, restrictions and weather will be provided through its official channels, and recommends travelling outside peak times where possible.
The operation is part of the DGT’s annual summer plan, which is organised in several phases. The forthcoming Operación Retorno brings together traffic returning from the main holiday period and is regularly one of the busiest stages. The measures aim to reduce congestion, lower the risk of accidents and enable a faster response to disruption.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).