From early morning, residents of Athens began leaving the capital, with significant congestion reported at multiple points along the Athens–Lamia national highway.

According to footage recorded by Protothema.gr, traffic was already heavy before 7 a.m., stretching from the Schimatari toll booths—where passage is currently free—up to the Ritsona interchange. Traffic police placed cones to reduce traffic to a single lane for several hundred meters in order to divert trucks onto the old national road.

Similar congestion has been observed a few kilometers further north at the Thiva and Kastro interchanges. In Kastro, vehicles are moving through just one lane, while tractors remain lined up behind cones alongside the roadway.

In Atalanti, traffic heading toward Thessaloniki is flowing through two open lanes.

The unprecedented traffic chaos seen on Tuesday prompted authorities to open two lanes instead of one at Ritsona, Kastro, and Amfikleia in the northbound direction, with traffic police using cones to improve flow.

Efforts to Open Two Lanes Nationwide

In Thessaly, cars and trucks were moving at a crawl in Platykampos, Larissa, while on Tuesday night one lane was reopened at the Nikaia overpass toward Thessaloniki.

Police spokesperson Konstantia Dimoglidou said the Hellenic Police (ELAS) is in ongoing communication with farmers, urging them to allow two lanes of traffic where roadblocks remain.

“In Thessaly, we are coordinating with farmers at blockade points so that two lanes can be opened and drivers can be assisted,” she said. “We hope this will happen across the country. Our priority is to help motorists reach their destinations safely.”

She added that on the E65 motorway and routes toward Ioannina, discussions are ongoing and traffic flow has already improved.

Road Closures Across Greece

The Patras ring road remains closed, forcing drivers to pass through the city, with only one lane currently open.

In northern Greece, the Athens–Thessaloniki national road near Malgara reopened toward Athens shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, after being closed for 22 days due to farmers’ protests. Traffic is now flowing normally, and farmers have decided to keep the road open until Friday.

However, access to Thessaloniki’s “Macedonia” Airport remains disrupted, as Georgikis Scholis Avenue is still closed. Although farmers moved their tractors, traffic police have not yet approved reopening the road. Access to and from the airport is being diverted via the Thessaloniki–Moudania national road.

Meanwhile, the Athens–Thessaloniki highway remains closed at the southern Katerini interchange, where traffic is being diverted. The Egnatia Odos is also closed at Kerdylia, the Niselis interchange, and the southern Komotini interchange due to ongoing farmer demonstrations.

Temporary Traffic Regulations in Thessaly

Police in Thessaly announced new temporary traffic measures due to farmer protests along the PATHE motorway near the Nikaia interchange. These measures came into effect at 8:30 p.m. on December 23 and will remain in place as long as necessary.

Traffic toward Athens is being diverted between the Platykampos and Kileler interchanges for vehicles up to 3.5 tons, and between Platykampos and Velestino for heavier vehicles. All traffic is being rerouted via the old Larissa–Volos national road, with re-entry to the motorway at designated interchanges.

Traffic toward Thessaloniki is completely halted between the Nikaia and Platykampos interchanges, with vehicles diverted through Larissa city routes and re-entering the motorway at Platykampos or Gyrtoni. Vehicles must remain in the left lane only, with a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h.