Jam-free drive to the Adriatic: Budapest-sea motorway’s last section finished!
After nearly twenty years of anticipation, the final missing stretch of the motorway linking Budapest to the Adriatic Sea will open this fall in Croatia. This new connection promises a faster and more convenient route for Hungarian travellers headed to the coast, cutting travel time between Budapest and Osijek to just two hours and eliminating traffic bottlenecks.
Two decades of work, EUR 46 million investment
The expressway project leading to the Adriatic has been underway for almost twenty years, according to Tőzsdefórum. The last stretch to be completed is a mere five kilometres connecting Beli Manastir to the Hungarian border, linking Croatia’s A5 motorway to Hungary’s M6.
The project cost EUR 46 million, fully funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Eight new engineered structures were built along the section, including the 318-meter Karasica Viaduct, which spans both a river and a railway line.
Smooth ride to the Adriatic – almost
Thanks to the new motorway section, drivers can now travel from Budapest through Osijek and Sarajevo all the way to the Adriatic Sea via expressway—at least through the Hungarian and Croatian segments. However, the portion crossing Bosnia and Herzegovina remains incomplete.
Between Sarajevo and the coast, travellers still alternate between motorways and regular roads, and the southern sections of the A1 motorway are not yet continuous. By 2028, the entire Budapest–Ploče corridor could be completed under the Corridor Vc project.
What changes for travellers?
Faster and more comfortable access to the Adriatic, especially via Osijek.
Shorter travel time: Budapest to Osijek will take just two hours.
Modern infrastructure: eight new engineering structures, including key bridges and viaducts.
Less congestion, improved safety.
Looking ahead: Dubrovnik in sight
Croatia’s motorway operator is already working on completing the southern stretches of the A1 motorway leading to Dubrovnik. If construction continues as planned, Hungarian drivers may one day be able to reach Dubrovnik fully on expressways. This advancement would be a major win not only for travellers but also for the economic and tourism development of Hungary and the broader region.
This new route truly marks a turning point in travel to the Adriatic: getting to Hungary’s favourite coastline is about to become quicker and easier than ever before.
Read more travel-related news on Daily News Hungary.
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