1 / 6 The Beijing-Tibet Expressway experienced a 12-day traffic jam affecting more than 100 km due to roadwork, heavy vehicle traffic, and breakdowns in August 2010.
After 12 days, the authorities cleared the traffic, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and effective traffic management.
(Representative Image: Pexels)4 / 6 In order to prioritise clearing the motorway, authorities quickly halted traffic on other roads to manage the situation.
(Representative Image: Pexels)ADVERTISEMENT5 / 6 The world’s longest traffic bottleneck ended on August 26, 2010, after 12 days of unrelenting work, when the road was completely freed.
(Representative Image: Pexels)
Last Updated: May 17, 2026, 15:30 IST
Imagine being trapped in traffic for 12 exhausting days with barely any movement. In 2010, thousands of travelers experienced this unbelievable nightmare on the road. Scroll ahead to discover the shocking story behind one of the world’s worst traffic jams ever recorded.
1 / 6 The Beijing-Tibet Expressway experienced a 12-day traffic jam affecting more than 100 km due to roadwork, heavy vehicle traffic, and breakdowns in August 2010. After 12 days, the authorities cleared the traffic, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure and effective traffic management. (Representative Image: Pexels)
2 / 6 The infamous jam began on August 14, 2010, when a combination of construction work and heavy vehicle created an unprecedented bottleneck. Trucks carrying coal and construction material from Mongolia to Beijing clogged the expressway, which was partially closed due to ongoing roadwork. (Representative Image: Pexels)
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3 / 6 The diversion along with mechanical breakdowns and high traffic voleum, resulted in an extraordinary jam that immobilized vehicles for several days. (Representative Image: Pexels)
4 / 6 In order to prioritise clearing the motorway, authorities quickly halted traffic on other roads to manage the situation. Trucks that were stranded were moved first, allowing traffic to gradually return. (Representative Image: Pexels)
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5 / 6 The world’s longest traffic bottleneck ended on August 26, 2010, after 12 days of unrelenting work, when the road was completely freed. The necessity of strong infrastructure design and efficient traffic management was highlighted by this historic standstill. (Representative Image: Pexels)
