How to avoid the MegaStau - Summer traffic jams

I'm forced to travel to Switzerland today (Davos to be exact) and we'll be leaving around 3pm. This is a stupid idea...shite. I hope the roads towards Bodensee aren't too full. I think I'm being overly optimistic since it's a route to the south and all of them will be packed today. Does anybody travel that way on a regular basis and know some tricks (fast detours) to avoid the usual packed parts of the autobahn (A96)??

For stau info click here: ADAC Stau Info

I would suggest getting detailed maps for the entire route so that you will be able to see alternatives routes when you hit the Staus. The A96 isn't on the ADAC list of sure-standstills though, so maybe you'll be okay. I would NOT leave at 3PM though unless you have a great air-conditioner in the car or just love to sweat. The very definition of misery is sitting in a traffic jam for hours in 35°C with no air-conditioning. I'd wait until around 21:00 and drive all night. It'll be cooler, and much less traffic.

Another suggestion is the DB Autozug. Put your car on the train and relax till you get there. Problem solved. (or why not just rent a car once there?)

FORCED to go to Davos? Ain't life a bitch
Yeah let it cool down a bit unless you have a/c.
There's one bit of the A96 where it usually staus on days such as this: just before Memmingen where it's not actually finished yet so it's about 10 km of normal road. Other than that the only non-autobahn bit is jumping over the Rhine.

I have detailed maps and an air conditioner... I wish I could leave later in the day but thats not possible. I'm afraid of the Bodensee holiday seekers...Really, Bodensee isn't all that nice...What the travel agency told you are all lies, all lies!!! It's almost as ugly as Chemnitz or Cottbus!! Please just stay at home!! (Bleib zu Hause dammit!!)

Thanks Jeeves...I'll keep that in mind.

Canuck, do what the rest of the Davos jet-set do, and fly in by helicopter

I agree Bodensee is really not that special. The water looked pretty dirty to me. The mountains above it are great for hiking though. Have fun!

I tried to rent a helicopter, but they were all sold out this weekend. Apparently, all the big Infineon big wigs are in town to discuss quartely losses and the downfall of the company.

its not a bad road if you turn of the A96 at Landsberg and loop down to Kempten and then across to Lindau. Wide road a lot of the time but not always double lane so obviously potential for jams there too

@canuck
The forecast for later today and esp. tonight for Switzerland is for thunderstorms, moving in from the west.
Since you have air conditioning it's probably better to travel in the afternoon, even in heavy traffic, than to
be caught up in a hailstorm going up to Davos.

Boomtown You mean turn off at Buchloe...
That is a fast road with quite a few passing places and bypassing all towns. However once you get past Kempten it gets less free-flowing. If I was going to say Oberstdorf I'd go that way, but it's going to be just as busy today too so to Lindau and on I'd personally just stick to the A96.
Or use a motorbike. Stau, what stau, oh, was that a stau?

go by train
it only takes about 6 hours

Go to Lindau, a great place for a weekend away!

can't believe the Staureports!
am flying from Stuttgart airport...need to check in at 6pm...what time do you reckon I should leave Munich...was thinking 1.30pm...do you guys think it'll be enough?
(can't take train as need my car)

I'd guess you'd be fine leaving then. Most of the traffic will be going in the other direction on the A8 anyway.
Edit: Disclaimer: Rechtsweg ausgeschlossen

thanks Jeeves

well as today is the official start of the school holidays then it does not really matter what route you travel as it will be absolute hell...

Moonboot - I would allow AT LEAST 3 1/2 to 4 hours to get to Stuttgart. It should be OK once you get past Ulm and get over the Schwäbische Alb but up to then it is pure luck unfortunately...

Canuck - All I can say is good luck. It could be quite a frustrating journey...

I've driven to and from Stuttgart many times and it has never taken 4 hours, not even when it was snowing in the dark in the middle of winter. Always a first time though I guess.

hmm...it usually takes me up to two hours on a normal day, once there was a bit of Stau due to a crash at the part of the two-lane motorway and it took 3! Grr!
am just scared to miss my flight as meeting boyfie in London for his birthday!
so will leave at 1pm.

Wise lass. Cut out the stress as far as poss. You still have to park the car when you get there.