NSW traffic jam spanning 52 kilometres up M1 motorway as residents drive back to Sydney

The picture that sums up the public holiday: 52km traffic jam in New South Wales as long weekend comes to a close and holidaymakers are STILL making their way home

  • Thousands of commuters facing gridlock attempting to drive back to Sydney
  • Residents travelling back into NSW capital after Queen’s birthday long weekend 
  • Aerial shots show cars bumper to bumper stretching 52 kilometres up freeway 

Thousands of holidaymakers are facing huge delays as they attempt to drive back to Sydney after the Queen’s birthday long weekend. 

An aerial shot of the M1 motorway in the city’s north show cars bumper to bumper in a traffic jam stretching more than 52 kilometres as locals back their way back from the north coast. 

Motorists were warned to allow for extra time coming back into the city, with traffic remaining on the freeway until late Monday night.

Aerial shots of the M1 motorway in the Sydney’s north show cars bumper to bumper more than 52 kilometres with residents flocking back to the New South Wales capital

The M1 and Hume Highway had the worst of the traffic, as people made their way from the Central Coast to Sydney.

Shots from the Channel Seven helicopter show car lights  of thousands of cars. 

Congestion is set to have eased late into the night before an anticipated busy rush hour period with people heading back to work on Tuesday morning. 

The weekend was also a double demerit period, running from Friday until midnight Monday.

Police say they were expecting a busy weekend, promising a crackdown on the ‘Four D’s’ – Drink, Drug, Dangerous and Distracted driving.   

The M1 and Hume Highway experienced the worst of the traffic, with people travelling from the Central Coast down to Sydney the worst affected

The M1 and Hume Highway experienced the worst of the traffic, with people travelling from the Central Coast down to Sydney the worst affected

‘Our message is to be patient and obey the road rules in all conditions,’ Operation Commander Superintendent Stephen Hegarty said.

‘There will be a number of cars on the road as people travel up and down the coast and inland, so we’re asking everyone to be extra careful. Slow down and drive to the conditions.’

‘We want everyone to reach their destinations safely and to enjoy the long weekend without tragedy.’