Easter travel traffic to peak on Thursday afternoon

Finnish Easter holiday traffic will be at its busiest on Thursday between 1 pm and 7 pm as people leave for celebrations, traffic agency Fintraffic reports.

Traffic volumes will exceed typical winter holiday levels, as departures are concentrated on a single day across the country, the agency notes. Congestion is expected on major routes, particularly around the Helsinki metropolitan area and on highways 4, 5, and 9 toward Jyväskylä and Mikkeli.

Tapani Virtanen, chair of the Finnish Automobile Association’s road service committee, told public broadcaster Yle that driving conditions appear favourable for April. However, he warned that Finland’s size and varying conditions require proper preparation, especially for long trips to northern regions like Utsjoki.

Fuel and tyres cause most breakdowns
Virtanen, a veteran of the association’s Operation Pajunkissa assistance programme since 1984, said running out of fuel remains the top reason for roadside stranding. High fuel prices may lead drivers to search for cheaper stations, risking empty tanks before finding one.

Tyres are another common issue, as many motorists lack the tools or skills to change them—if their vehicle even allows self-replacement. Virtanen added that mechanical failures are unlikely this year, as cars surviving the winter should remain reliable.

Fintraffic anticipates heavy traffic again on Good Friday between 9 am and 2 pm, with delays possible later in northern Finland. Return traffic will pick up Sunday afternoon, peaking on Monday between noon and 8 pm, with congestion expected in southern Finland.