A Historic Standstill Begins
On 14 August 2010, traffic on China National Highway 110 and the Beijing–Tibet Expressway ground to a halt in Hebei and Inner Mongolia. What began as a slowdown soon became the longest traffic jam ever recorded. Some drivers were stuck for five days, covering just one kilometer per day. The jam stretched over 100 kilometers and lasted 12 days, affecting thousands of vehicles and causing widespread disruption.
Overloaded Roads and Coal Convoys
The highway had been operating far beyond its intended capacity, with traffic increasing by 40% annually. At the time of the jam, the road was handling 60% more traffic than it was designed for. Heavy trucks carrying coal from Inner Mongolia to Beijing surged in volume, exacerbated by a lack of railway options. Scheduled maintenance on the highway began five days into the jam, cutting road capacity by half.
Profiteering and Survival on the Road
Local residents near the jam capitalized on the crisis by selling food and water at inflated prices. A one-yuan bottle of water cost 15 yuan. Instant noodle prices more than tripled. Some vendors even used bicycles as mobile stalls. Drivers faced days in sweltering heat with limited supplies and minimal movement.
Clearing the Gridlock
Authorities responded by allowing more trucks into Beijing during nighttime hours and urging companies to find alternate routes. By 26 August 2010, the jam had mostly cleared. Only minor delays near toll booths remained between Inner Mongolia and Beijing, ending one of the most remarkable traffic events in modern history.
In August 2010, China experienced what is considered the longest traffic jam in history.
Stretching over 100 kilometers (62.14 miles), thousands of drivers were trapped for up to five days. The jam formed along National Highway 110 and the G6 expressway…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/rtoYYYYFO3
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) May 21, 2025