The onset of summer traditionally kicks off the mass travel season. Ukrainian citizens are increasingly planning trips abroad, which inevitably affects the congestion at border crossing points. The situation at the border with Poland, one of the key destinations, requires drivers and tourists to plan their routes carefully to avoid multi-hour delays.
Congestion Map: Where the Traffic Jams Are and Where It's Clear
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS), the situation at the border is extremely dynamic and depends on the day of the week and time of day. As of 15:00 on June 8, the most significant traffic accumulations were observed at the "Shehyni" and "Ustyluh" crossing points. Here, the queue of passenger cars reached 60 vehicles.
However, at the same time, other directions remained practically free. SBGS representative Andriy Demchenko confirmed the presence of "empty" crossing points. Specifically, at the specified time, there were no queues at the "Rava-Ruska," "Hrushev," and "Smilnytsia" checkpoints.
Passenger Flow Statistics: Record Growth
The beginning of June was marked by a steady trend of increasing border crossings. While the figure was around 85,000 people on regular weekdays, it rose to 95,000 in the first days of the month (June 1–2). The weekend days (June 6–7) showed an even more impressive figure: 115,000 citizens crossed the border within 24 hours.
Experts note that in June, the flow of people leaving the country predominates. This is due to the start of the summer season, vacations, and school holidays. It is expected that in July the balance may shift to a 50/50 ratio as tourists begin to return en masse. However, in August, according to SBGS forecasts, the advantage will shift back to entry into Ukraine.
Traveler Strategy: How to Save Time
To minimize waiting time, experts recommend closely monitoring the congestion schedule. The peak influx of people occurs in the evening and on weekends. During these hours, exit checkpoints operate under maximum load.
The most favorable time to cross the border is on weekdays, especially in the morning. As Andriy Demchenko noted, if all posts were congested at lunchtime and on Saturday, queues were practically absent on Sunday morning.
Where to Find Current Information
The situation at the border changes rapidly, so relying on outdated data is not advisable. Current information on the state of queues in front of border crossing points can be found on the official Facebook page of the Western Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine ("Western Border"). Data there is updated every three hours, allowing drivers to quickly choose the least congested route.