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RAA has crunched the numbers from day one of Adelaide 500 road closures, showing median travel times on key roads east of the CBD more than doubled during the morning peak period.
Several busy roads on Friday were even slower than last year’s road closure period.
Payneham Road median travel time (between Glynburn and Hackney Road) blew out to more than 40 minutes on Friday – compared to 32 minutes on the first day of road closures in 2023 (also a Friday) and to 17 minutes during the normal morning peak.
Some journeys along the route took up to an hour or more, so drivers are reminded that travelling at peak times may take longer than the median travel time quoted.
Worst affected roads included:
| Morning peak period median travel time (mins) | |||
| Friday 8/11/2024 | First Friday of closures 2023 | Typical travel time (2024) | |
| Payneham Road (Glynburn Rd to Hackney Rd) | 40 | 32 | 17 |
| Magill Road (Glynburn Rd to Fullarton Rd) | 37 | 34 | 12 |
| Greenhill Road (Devereux Rd to Fullarton Rd) | 19 | 13 | 8 |
| The Parade West/Rundle St (Fullarton Rd to Dequetteville Tce) | 28 | 15 | 4 |
| Figures quoted in this table are median (50th percentile) travel times in minutes, meaning that half of motorists are likely to have experienced travel times even greater than this. | |||
RAA is advising drivers the peak period in Adelaide’s ‘Slow Zone’ is extending until almost 10am as opposed to around 9am at other times.
RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said the VAILO effect will impact traffic until at least Tuesday 19 November when most of the key roads will reopen.
“RAA analysis shows delays on several roads in Adelaide’s Slow Zone on Friday were more significant than they were on the first Friday of closures last year,” Mr Mountain said.
“The first day of road closures is often the slowest as drivers adjust to the changed traffic conditions but the impact at the start of this year was even worse than usual.
“Motorists should be aware that this area is impacted by additional peak period delays from 7:30am until after 9:30am, so avoid travelling at that time if you possibly can.
“We recommend drivers consider catching public transport or cycling if that’s an option for them, to lessen the impact of traffic delays.”
While most road closures finish on Tuesday 19 November, Wakefield Road and East Terrace will remain closed until 6am on Thursday 21 November.
A full list of closures is available on the City of Adelaide’s website.
Adelaide’s peak hour ‘Slow Zone’ during Adelaide 500 road closures
