Every summer, departures to bluer skies lead Europeans to head south. In Luxembourg, this is reflected in a marked increase in traffic on the A3 motorway, which joins the A31 in France. A true European corridor, the route is particularly popular with holidaymakers who take advantage of Luxembourg's service stations and then drive free of charge as far as the Gye tollbooth, below Nancy.
In 2020, a year marked by a drop in travel, July was still the busiest month on the motorway. On average, the National Roads Administration recorded the border passage of more than 67,000 vehicles per day. In July 2019, the last year in which statistics were not influenced by Covid-19, more than 69,000 vehicles crossed the French border each day during the first month of the summer break (in both directions).
If the 69,000 vehicles are an average, it is indeed the departures and returns from holidays that have fuelled this flow. In particular on two days that are very popular with travellers: Fridays and Saturdays. On these days, traffic surged to around 76,000 vehicles.
As with the usual peak hour, the month of July shows a marked spread of the traffic peak in the afternoon. After the morning rush hour, between 5 am and 7 am, traffic weakens until 9 am, then rebounds and does not really drop again until at least 8 pm. Early and mid-afternoon are also the least favourable times to use the motorway. If, like many other holidaymakers, you are forced to leave during these periods, you will no doubt have to be patient.
