Ekka long weekend holiday traffic causes long delays on the Bruce Highway

Motorists heading north to enjoy the Ekka long weekend have had a day of hell on the Bruce Highway, with traffic at a virtual standstill for more than 60 kilometres at one point, and some travellers reporting journey times of four hours.

Motorists heading out of Brisbane for a long weekend getaway have endured a painfully long drive to the Sunshine Coast, with traffic moving slowly or left at a standstill on the Bruce Highway, northbound, for almost the entire day.

The trip from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast up to four hours at one point, with journey times taking more than two hours for many more over an eight-hour period from about 9am.

Frustrated motorists complained of being slowed to a 10km/h crawl along the highway with a 25-kilometre long traffic jam persisting for more than five hours from Mango Hill to Caboolture.

The RACQ this morning attributed the congestion to a wave of motorists travelling north for the Ekka long weekend, after authorities urged Queenslanders to travel across the state for the rescheduled holiday.

A 3.35pm Google Maps image of the Bruce Highway heading north from Brisbane.

Delays were also experienced along the Gateway motorway at Taigum, Deagon and Bald Hills, according to traffic reporters.

Traffic heading to the Sunshine Coast along the Bruce Highway seen from Boundary Road, North Lakes, Friday, August 14, 2020 - Picture: Richard Walker