This summer, Korea’s East Coast is expected to be the nation’s most popular vacation destination, with road trips dominating travel plans, according to new survey data released by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
A nationwide survey conducted by the Korea Transport Institute targeting 9,560 people revealed that 46.5% of respondents are planning a summer vacation this year.
Of those, nearly 79% will travel domestically, a 2.2 percentage point increase from 2024, while only 21.2% plan to go abroad.
Among domestic destinations, the East Coast — known for its pristine beaches, sunrises, and vibrant resort towns — emerged as the clear favorite, drawing 24.9% of travel plans.
It was followed by the South Coast (18.3%), West Coast (11.4%), the Seoul Metropolitan Area (11.3%), and Jeju Island (9.1%).
Travel volume is expected to peak between July 26 and August 1, with August 9 to 15 also showing strong movement. The most common vacation length is 2 nights and 3 days (28.4%), followed by 6 days or more (21.3%), and 3 nights and 4 days (20.6%).
Reflecting this surge, the government has designated July 25 to August 10 as a special summer traffic management period, during which it expects a total of over 103 million people to be on the move, or about 6.11 million travelers per day — a 2.4% increase from last year.
Most travelers — 84.1% — are expected to use private vehicles, prompting the ministry to roll out a nationwide effort to keep roads flowing smoothly. Highway traffic alone is projected to reach 5.45 million vehicles per day, up 2.8% from 2024.
To ease congestion, 53 shoulder lanes covering 261 kilometers will be opened across highways, while 219 critical congestion-prone sections on expressways and national roads will be closely managed. Public transportation capacity will also be expanded, with bus and train services increasing by 13.1% and 9.9%, respectively.
The ministry is also prioritizing safety and emergency response, especially in light of recent heavy rainfall.
AI-analyzed accident-prone zones (22 locations) will be marked via electronic displays on roads, and real-time monitoring using mobile CCTVs will be deployed near rail tracks and tunnels.
Flood-prone underground roadways will be equipped with blockage and evacuation guidance systems.
