Bulgaria is experiencing one of the toughest transit weekends this summer: long queues have built up at the Kalotina and Kapitan Andreevo border crossings, and restrictions are in place for trucks on key highways. Drivers heading to Turkey, Greece, or in the opposite direction should plan for several extra hours on the road.
Restrictions on highways:
Bulgaria’s Road Infrastructure Agency has barred HGVs exceeding 12 tonnes from travel on weekends on the Trakia and Struma highways, including the Kresna Gorge section. The I-1 Mezdra–Botevgrad route is being diverted via Skravena following a crash.
A TOL-system update may disrupt online vignette purchases. Purchase your vignette in advance and retain the confirmation; it is the sole proof if the system fails.
Situation at border crossings:
Bulgaria:
- Kalotina border crossing (border with Serbia): long queues of passenger cars in both directions
- Kapitan Andreevo border crossing (border with Turkey): extremely heavy traffic driven by seasonal labour migration
- Ruse–Giurgiu Danube Bridge: traffic has resumed in both directions after the completion of repairs
- Oryahovo–Bechet and Svishtov–Zimnicea ferries: are suspended because the Danube’s water level has fallen critically low
With the ferries suspended, all Romania-bound traffic has shifted to bridge crossings, further straining the Ruse corridor. Live border-crossing load data are available on Bulgaria’s border-crossing page.
What to consider before departure:
- Check the API updates immediately before departure—restrictions are updated daily
- Plan an alternative route if your itinerary originally used the Danube ferries.
- Avoid risky overtakes: Bulgaria has recorded more than 20 serious crashes and 33 injuries per day
- Carry extra water and sun protection: daily temperatures and 142 wildfires signal extreme fire risk.