During Christmas holidays many Italians will travel to get to the most famous tourist spots, in the mountains or otherwise, or to spend their holidays Christmas holidays with distant family members. Many will be traveling abroad (if so, read the road rules guide for the nearest European countries), but most have chosen Italian destinations, as a result, we will have more congested roads and highways than usual. So let’s take a look at the predictions for operation on 22, 23, 24, and 26 December 2023.
OPERATIONS 22, 23, 24 AND 26 DECEMBER 2023: OPERATIONS DURING THE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Information on operation on 22, 23, 24, and 26 December 2023 predict a rather demanding weekend for traffic as early as Friday 22nd afternoon when most trips. However, the most critical day for traffic over the Christmas weekend is likely to be Tuesday, December 26Boxing Day because, especially in the afternoon and evening, many people will be going back home to be at work in the morning 27. The situation on roads and highways also promises a difficult situation on Wednesday. As for wind conditions, the Christmas weekend will be dominated by a pressure high that will bring a slightly wintry, mild, and wet climate to the entire Italian territory. However, local precipitation cannot be ruled out, especially in Liguria and the Tyrrhenian regions. Also, watch out for the risk of fog. Below are details of traffic on the four “hottest” days.
OPERATION DECEMBER 22, 2023
As mentioned, most vacationers will move on December 22, especially during the afternoon hours. It will therefore be necessary to pay extra attention to arteries leading south (primarily A1 and A14 highways) e towards the winter resorts such as the A22 for Brenner, the A5 Turin – Mont Blanc, the A8 Milan – Lakes, and the A24 dei Parchi, which runs from Rome to Abruzzo (Gran Sasso, Roccaraso, Scanno, etc.).
Forecast: Central-North mostly clear with daytime temperatures up to 16/18°C. In the central-southern areas, however, irregular concentrations are expected on the Tyrrhenian side, especially in the south, with occasional rain between lower Campania, Calabria, and northern Sicily, elsewhere good weather will prevail.
OPERATION DECEMBER 23, 2023
December 23rd before Christmas day Heavy traffic is expected on the busiest arteries of the given period, especially in morning and afternoon time slots. It is therefore better to organize yourself early and choose a tactical departure time to avoid waiting in line. All the more so if you are traveling in the direction of the mountains (e.g. in the direction of the Brenner there is a black sticker).
Forecast: a relatively sunny day with moderate cloud cover in the southern Tyrrhenian sector, but without significant events. Residual phenomena will also affect the central-eastern bordering Alps, where there will be snow from 1500 m. Temperatures will remain relatively high.
OPERATION DECEMBER 24, 2023
Those who could not leave on the 22nd and 23rd, perhaps for work reasons (many people also work on Saturdays), will use the so-called Christmas Eve, which this year falls on a Sunday so that you can reach your destination by setting off from the early hours of the morning. The operation will be all day and at least until 6 after which the road system normalizes as passengers mostly reach their destination.
Forecast: a stable day, although not sunny everywhere. Heavy rain is expected in Liguria, western Sardinia, and the Tyrrhenian regions, with drizzle possible in the afternoon between Lazio and Campania. In the evening, harmless clouds will arrive even in the alpine regions. Sunny weather elsewhere.
OPERATION DECEMBER 26, 2023
Quiet after Christmas day, many people leave on Christmas Day and return to the office. As mentioned earlier, most will move in the afternoon and early evening hours, creating conditions for critical traffic (almost black or at least red) on the busiest arteries. But a good number leave already in the morning, and therefore you can encounter traffic even between 6-12.
Forecast: irregular clouds will affect the Po plain, the Tyrrhenian regions, and Umbria, there may be local drizzle on the eastern Ligurian Riviera. Sunnier in the Alps, Adriatic and Ionian Seas, and large islands. Temperatures in the north are stable or slightly decreasing.
Note: We have intentionally not included predictions operation on December 25 as it is usually a ‘dedicated’ day for Christmas lunch and there is little vehicle traffic. However, it could represent a good “smart start” solution.
OPERATIONS 22, 23, 24 AND 26 DECEMBER 2023: NO HEAVY VEHICLES
We remember this on Christmas weekend 22, 23, 24, and 26 December 2023 traffic will be partially eased by banning the operation of heavy vehicles on the highway (heavy vehicles mean vehicles or groups of vehicles for transporting items with a total permitted weight of over 7.5 tons, even unloaded). The ban will be active at the following times:
- Sunday, December 24, 2023: from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.;
- Monday, December 25, 2023: from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.;
- Tuesday, December 26, 2023: from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
TRAFFIC 22, 23, 24 AND 26 DECEMBER 2023: WHERE TO CHECK THE SITUATION IN REAL-TIME
To track forecasts in real-time operation on 22, 23, 24, and 26 December 2023 there are numerous online services available, such as the excellent Waze and Google Maps, which now also report fixed speed cameras. You can also use different apps (for example VAI by Anas) or you can call the Autostrade call center at 840.04.21.21 (with a one-time connection fee, without time limit), always active 24 hours a day, or CCISS at number 1518 (free and 24/7).
Due to the season, make sure you follow the rules about having to wear winter tires before you leave. The following link shows all Italian national roads that require duty winter tires or chains on board while here there are highways.
