Last Updated:
Thousands of stranded drivers, food sold at crazy prices, and cars moving just one kilometre a day made China National Highway 110 one of the most unbelievable traffic disasters.
News18
Most people lose patience after being stuck in traffic for an hour or two. Now imagine sitting inside your car for nearly two weeks without knowing when the road ahead will finally clear. That nightmare became real in August 2010, when China witnessed what many still call the longest traffic jam in history.
The massive gridlock took place on China National Highway 110, a major road connecting Inner Mongolia to Beijing. The jam stretched over 100 kilometres and trapped hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Some drivers reportedly spent up to 12 days crawling forward before finally escaping the chaos.
The situation began on August 14 after several problems collided at once. Road construction had already reduced the highway’s capacity, while a huge number of trucks carrying coal and construction material flooded the route. On top of that, private vehicle traffic had also increased sharply over the years.
Officials later revealed that traffic on the highway had been growing by nearly 40 percent every year. By the time the jam happened, the road was already operating far beyond what it had originally been designed to handle. Repairs on the highway only made things worse.
At first, frustrated drivers filled the air with nonstop honking and shouting. But after hours turned into days, people slowly accepted that they were not getting anywhere fast. In some sections, vehicles moved only about one kilometre per day.
As the traffic remained frozen, local villagers quickly spotted an opportunity. Temporary roadside stalls appeared almost overnight, selling noodles, water, cigarettes, and snacks to stranded motorists. Prices shot up instantly. A bottle of water that normally cost 1 yuan was reportedly being sold for 15 yuan inside the jam zone.
The motorway slowly turned into a strange temporary community where people slept in their cars, walked between trucks, and waited endlessly for updates.
Authorities eventually tried to ease the situation by allowing more trucks into Beijing during nighttime hours. Even then, it took nearly 12 days before traffic finally returned to normal.
Although there have been disputes regarding which one actually qualifies as being the largest traffic jam, the China National Highway 110 Traffic Jam incident stands out as one of the most sensational stories about roadways. The event was more than just an ordinary traffic jam.
Read More
