Traffic jam at the Dutch border – current traffic situation on the A3/A12 at a glance (July 23, 2025)

Whether on the way to the Dutch coast, to Amsterdam, or to the holiday parks near Arnhem, the A3 on the German side and the A12 in the Netherlands are among the most important connections between the two countries. Especially on weekends, during the holidays, or during periods of high truck traffic, traffic jams regularly form around the border crossing near Elten.

In this article you will find a current overview of the traffic situation , typical traffic jam times, possible alternative routes and helpful tips for your journey across the German-Dutch border.

Whether you're driving on the A3 near Elten, the A40 near Venlo, the A30 near Bad Bentheim, or the A280 near Bunde, traffic jams and delays can occur at the crossings between Germany and the Netherlands. Especially during holiday periods, on weekends, or during heavy truck traffic, the routes from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony are often congested.

The following overview provides an automatically updated overview of the traffic situation at several border crossings . This way, you can see at a glance which routes are clear – and where there are traffic jams.

The motorways between Germany and the Netherlands are among the most important traffic arteries in Western Europe. Whether on the A3, A40, A30, or A280 – thousands of vehicles cross the border every day: vacationers on their way to the seaside or to Dutch holiday parks, commuters from border regions, and a huge proportion of trucks involved in international freight transport.

Especially at certain times, traffic jams regularly occur – and there are several reasons for this:

• Holiday and weekend traffic , especially towards the coast or back to Germany
• High truck traffic , especially on weekdays on transit routes
• Border controls , for example during major events or for security reasons
• Accidents or construction sites directly before or behind the border
• Different speed limits or traffic rules that can cause traffic to slow down

Depending on the crossing – for example at Elten, Venlo, Bad Bentheim or Bunde – the potential for congestion varies slightly, but the principle remains: as soon as one of the crossings is heavily congested, the alternative routes are often also affected.

There are certain times at the border crossings between Germany and the Netherlands when traffic is almost always tight – regardless of whether you're traveling on the A3, A40, A30, or A280. If you want to plan your trip better, it's worth taking a look at the typical traffic jam times:

These are the most common congestion situations:

• Friday and Saturday afternoons: Many people start their weekend or go on a short vacation – especially to the Netherlands.
• Sunday afternoon and evening: Return traffic to Germany causes full roads.
• Start and end of holidays: In both Germany and the Netherlands, holiday periods regularly lead to traffic jams – especially in North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Public holidays and long weekends: Here too, traffic increases on all main routes.
• Weekday mornings and afternoons: Truck traffic causes a high level of traffic on weekdays – traffic jams are often caused by even minor incidents.
• Temporary border controls: During major events, demonstrations or special security situations, traffic jams can occur – often without warning.

When traffic is backed up at the border, the question quickly arises: Are there any viable alternatives? The answer: Yes and no. There are detours, but not all of them are truly faster – and many quickly become congested in heavy traffic.

These are possible alternative routes depending on the region:

• To the A3 (Elten/Babberich): Alternative routes are available via the B8 or smaller state roads – however, these are only recommended for those familiar with the area, as they mostly lead through villages.
• To the A40 (Venlo): Those heading towards Roermond or Eindhoven can take the A61 and then the Dutch A73. Depending on your starting point, you can also take the A52 near Roermond.
• To the A30 (Bad Bentheim): Depending on the starting point, a route via the B403 or the A31 (Schüttorf junction) to the A280 may be sensible – although it may only be partially free of traffic jams.
• To the A280 (Bunde): The region is less populated, and alternative routes are mostly country roads. Those heading towards Groningen can drive via Leer and the B436 to the border – but be careful with the high proportion of trucks.

Important: Many of these routes are not suitable for all vehicles , for example, those that are too wide or heavy. Furthermore, different traffic regulations apply in the Netherlands, including stricter speed limits.

travel reporter