Heavy Traffic Expected in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes This Weekend

Returning holidaymakers are expected to face heavy traffic on the roads of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes this Friday as the school holidays come to an end for Zone A.

The warning comes from Bison Futé, France’s national traffic information service, which forecasts orange-level congestion for departures in the region on Friday, April 17, 2026. The heaviest delays are anticipated on major routes out of the region, particularly the A7 motorway through the Rhône Valley between Orange and Lyon, and the A46 eastern bypass of Lyon.

According to Bison Futé, traffic on the A7 is expected to tighten from 3 p.m. To 9 p.m., while the A46 will see increased congestion between 3 p.m. And 7 p.m. These delays are driven by a combination of home-to-work trips and holiday returns, with Friday historically being the day of highest risk for weekend traffic.

The situation is further complicated by the temporary lifting of a weekend ban on fuel tankers, which has been implemented to address fuel shortages linked to the conflict in the Middle East. This measure allows heavy goods vehicles to deliver fuel to service stations across France, potentially adding to road congestion.

Fuel shortages have been reported at approximately 1,050 petrol stations — about 10% of the 10,489 stations analysed by the fuel comparison site Prix Carburant — with diesel being the most affected.

To avoid the worst of the traffic, Bison Futé advises travellers to leave or cross Île-de-France before 10 a.m. Or after 9 p.m. Similar vigilance is recommended in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where authorities urge drivers to plan journeys outside peak hours.

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, traffic is expected to return to normal across the country in both directions, according to Bison Futé forecasts.