10 km of traffic jams on the AP-7 towards Tarragona due to an accident at El Papiol

10 kilometers of traffic jams on the AP-7 heading towards Tarragona cause many drivers to lose hours trapped while one lane is closed at Papiol. And it’s not due to any roadwork: a car and a truck have collided and left drivers stunned.

The traffic jams are concentrated at key points on the road between Castellví de Rosanes and Castellbisbal, and from Sant Cugat del Vallès to Olèrdola. The Catalan Traffic Service has provided the official data for this May 1, 2026, when traffic was truly affected.

Main traffic jams on the AP-7 heading towards Tarragona

Between Castellví de Rosanes and Castellbisbal

This is the area where up to 10 kilometers of congestion are recorded. Traffic becomes almost a test of patience for drivers trying to move forward.

Congestion at Sant Cugat and Papiol

A collision between a car and a truck forced the closure of one lane at Papiol, causing a 2-kilometer traffic jam extending from Sant Cugat del Vallès. This has further worsened the overall situation.

Other points with traffic jams nearby

Between Castellet and la Gornal

Drivers also have to queue for a 7-kilometer stretch that extends between Castellet and la Gornal.

Olèrdola area

The congestion does not stop and also affects the road near Olèrdola, adding more headaches to mobility.

Context and impact for drivers

The usual chaos on the AP-7

The reality is that this highway once again shows it is not just a fast road, but a classic hotspot for traffic jams when an incident occurs. With cars and trucks trapped, patience is more than tested.

Complicated alternatives

Drivers trying to avoid this traffic bottleneck face difficulties, as alternatives tend to get quickly saturated or greatly lengthen the trip.

To top it all off, a simple crash at Papiol makes the queue stretch for kilometers and many wonder if there is any way to escape it. The answer, for now, seems to be no.

Source of the article: Catalan Traffic Service