Traffic jam at the Brenner Pass – current traffic situation and traffic jam alerts at a glance (July 28, 2025)

Whether on the way to a summer vacation in Italy or returning from South Tyrol, the Brenner Pass is one of the busiest Alpine crossings in Europe. It's no wonder, then, that long traffic jams and slow-moving traffic regularly occur here.

To help you plan better, this article provides a current overview of the traffic situation at the Brenner Pass , helpful information about the route, typical traffic jam times and possible alternative routes.

What's the current situation on the Brenner Autobahn? The following overview shows you in real time whether traffic is clear around the Alpine crossing or whether you should expect delays. The data is updated automatically, so you can always stay up to date, whether it's early in the morning or on your return trip in the evening.

The Brenner Pass is not only a geographical bottleneck in the Alps, but also one of Europe's most important transport corridors. Thousands of cars, camper vans, and trucks travel along the Brenner Autobahn (A13 in Austria, A22 in Italy) every day—especially in summer, on long weekends, and during the holidays.

The route connects southern Germany with South Tyrol, Lake Garda, Tuscany, and many other popular destinations in Italy. At the same time, the Brenner Pass is a key route for European freight transport—consequently, traffic volumes are high even during the week. The mix of holiday and transit traffic regularly leads to congestion, especially at critical points such as tunnels, construction sites, or toll and border stations.

To make matters worse, there are only a few sensible alternative routes in the Brenner area – this makes the situation particularly vulnerable to traffic jams if even the smallest detail goes out of sync.

There are certain times at the Brenner Pass when traffic jams are almost inevitable. If you're traveling during these times, you should be especially vigilant—or, if possible, re-time your trip.

These traffic jams occur particularly frequently:

• Summer holidays and public holidays: During the summer months, the Brenner Pass is one of the main travel routes to Italy. Traffic jams are common, especially on weekends—southbound on Fridays and Saturdays, and northbound on Sundays.
• Whitsun and Easter: Travel times are also tight during these times, especially around the German and Austrian holiday dates.
• Christmas and winter holidays: Many people head to the ski resorts in South Tyrol or Northern Italy – this also causes increased traffic.
• Border controls: Depending on the political situation or announcements, there may be increased controls, which will significantly slow down traffic flow.
• Construction sites and truck traffic jams: Especially on weekdays, truck convoys can lead to heavy traffic jams – often well before the pass.

When several of these factors coincide, it's often impossible to get anywhere. Then only one thing helps: patience – or a clever look at possible alternative routes.

The Brenner Pass is the most direct connection from Germany to Italy—but not the only one. If you're flexible or notice traffic backing up on the A13 or A22, you can take one of the following alternative routes:

Possible alternatives to the burner:

• Reschen Pass (B180/B38): Leads via Landeck and the Vinschgau Valley to South Tyrol. Scenically attractive, but with winding sections – challenging, especially for motorhomes.
• Tauern Autobahn (A10): Via Salzburg, Villach, and Tarvisio to northern Italy. A significantly longer route, but sometimes the better option in heavy traffic on the Brenner Pass.
• Felbertauern Road: Less well-known, but a quiet and scenic route between Mittersill and Lienz. Please note: The Felbertauern Tunnel is subject to tolls.
• Arlberg Pass or Arlberg Tunnel: An interesting option, especially when traveling from Switzerland or western Germany.

Important to note: Many of these routes are longer and not always free of traffic jams —especially when many people are traveling at the same time. You should also pay close attention to the weather conditions on some passes, especially in autumn and winter.

The Brenner motorway is one of the most important north-south connections in Europe. It begins in Innsbruck (A13), runs through the Wipptal valley, crosses the main Alpine ridge at approximately 1,370 meters above sea level, and then continues as the A22 through South Tyrol and Trentino to Modena. Hardly any other route in Europe connects so many regions, countries, and interests in such a small area.

Tens of thousands of vehicles pass through here every day – from holidaymakers on their way to Italy to heavy goods vehicles in European transport. The route is particularly congested by the large number of trucks that use the Brenner Pass as the shortest connection between northern and southern Europe. This not only causes traffic jams but also places enormous strain on the environment and residents along the route.

Various measures are being taken to improve the situation in the long term: truck driving bans on certain days, toll systems, noise and exhaust emissions limits—and, last but not least, the planned Brenner Base Tunnel , which is intended to shift freight traffic to rail in the future. Until that happens, however, the motorway remains a major traffic hotspot—and a potential source of regular traffic jams.

travel reporter