The fourth weekend of summer vacation is shaping up to be particularly busy on the roads. Between holiday departures and returns, the A8 motorway will experience significant traffic difficulties from Friday, July 24 to Monday, July 27, 2026. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is also calling on travelers to plan ahead to avoid any delays before their flights.
The fourth weekend of summer vacation marks one of the main holiday traffic exchanges of the season. Many vacationers will be taking to the roads between Friday, July 24 and Monday, July 27, 2026. VINCI Autoroutes predicts very heavy traffic on several major highways across the country, particularly in the Rhône Valley, around the Mediterranean coast, and in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, the A8 motorway will concentrate some of the difficulties as it regularly has since the beginning of the month. A situation that could complicate travel to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, where significant passenger traffic is also expected throughout the weekend.
The airport is urging travelers to take precautions. In a message published before the weekend, the airport’s teams stated: “Disruptions are expected on the A8 motorway, particularly approaching and leaving Nice on Friday, July 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. then in the late afternoon until early evening. We invite travelers to plan ahead if you need to get to the airport.”
The A8 among the busiest highways of the weekend
According to VINCI Autoroutes forecasts, Friday, July 24 will be particularly difficult on the A8 motorway. Slowdowns are expected between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. approaching and leaving Nice. Traffic will also remain very heavy on Saturday, July 25 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., before another period of difficulties in the late afternoon and into early evening.
Traffic will not immediately return to normal conditions. Heavy traffic is still expected on Sunday, July 26, while some disruptions could extend into Monday, July 27, particularly on the main routes used by vacationers. Beyond the Côte d’Azur, the entire south of France will be affected by this typical holiday traffic exchange during this time of year. Caution is advised as authorities regularly remind since the beginning of summer.
More passengers expected at Nice Airport
This heavy traffic on the road network coincides with particularly strong activity at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. More than 60,000 passengers per day are expected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The number of aircraft movements will also exceed the usual summer season levels with approximately 410 to 450 takeoffs or landings per day, compared to an average of 361 daily movements during summer.
This increase in traffic could lead to longer wait times at check-in and security controls. Travelers would therefore be wise to allow extra time before their flight departure.
To get to the airport, public transportation remains a preferred option when possible. The tram and bus lines make it possible to avoid some of the slowdowns expected on the A8 motorway.
Electric vehicle drivers are also encouraged to plan their journey ahead. VINCI Autoroutes recommends not waiting for the battery to drop below 20%, prioritizing charging up to 80% to reduce charging time, and avoiding charging stations between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. when possible, a period when traffic is generally highest. Motorists are also encouraged to use the numerous rest areas equipped with charging stations distributed across the motorway network.
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