Published on
August 16, 2025
Every summer, a steady stream of vehicles leaves Kosovo, bound for the Albanian Riviera. The principal artery for the trip, the A1 motorway—or Rruga e Kombit—handles the bulk of the load. July and August turn the usual flow into a torrent, and the roads buckle under the weight. This season has followed the familiar pattern; lanes inch forward and the Kalimash toll plaza becomes the choke point, where bumpers stretch for kilometres and the engine heat spills into the bright air.
Peak traffic has mostly cropped up in the mornings and the late afternoons when holidaymakers and families are either making their way to the coast or returning home. Lines of cars have repeatedly formed even before the toll booths, with hold-ups stretching over several minutes. While the delays have been noticeable, officials and the travelling public alike have taken them in stride, recognising them as part of the summer holiday rhythm.
Measures Taken to Manage Traffic
To control this flow, a series of measures has been introduced by authorities. More traffic police patrols have been deployed along the highway, especially near toll points and interchanges. Extra lanes and payment counters have been opened by concessionaires at Kalimash. As a result, congestion has been eased, and long waiting hours have been avoided.
The Kalimash toll station was designed to handle high traffic volumes, but during peak summer days it has reached its limits. By expanding its operation with additional booths, smoother passage has been enabled. Travellers have still faced delays, but these delays have been kept moderate compared with earlier years when longer queues were reported.
The Importance of the Route
This motorway is one of the most strategic infrastructure projects in Albania. It stretches from the Morinë border with Kosovo, passes through Kukës and the Thirrë–Kalimash tunnel, and continues toward central Albania, eventually linking with the port city of Durrës and the capital, Tirana.
The tunnel, which opened in 2009, reduced travel time between the Kosovo border and Tirana from eight hours to about three. Because of this project, access to Albania’s Adriatic coast has become far easier, encouraging tourism and economic exchange. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Kosovo citizens travel to the beaches of Durrës, Shengjin, and Vlora, and this road is their main route.
The Drini Bridge near Kukës, inaugurated in November 2024, has also improved traffic conditions. It replaced older, narrower crossings and reduced bottlenecks around Kukës. With this bridge, the entire corridor has become safer and more efficient for cross-border travel.
Seasonal Pressures and Safety
Seasonal congestion is expected on this road, but road safety is also a concern. With the large number of vehicles, risks of accidents are increased. To address this, a joint patrol system was launched on July 1, 2025, by Albanian and Kosovo authorities. Police officers from both countries now cooperate along the corridor to ensure better monitoring, safer driving, and faster emergency response.
The added presence of officers has been credited with improving driver discipline, and accidents have been reduced compared with previous summers. This cooperation shows how important the road is for both nations and how closely linked their transport systems have become.
Future Solutions for Traffic
While short-term fixes such as extra counters and joint patrols are effective, longer-term solutions are being studied. The Albanian government, through the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Albanian Road Authority (ARRSH), has proposed additional toll points and infrastructure upgrades along the corridor. This would ensure proper maintenance and improved capacity for the growing number of travelers.
Plans for widening parts of the road and improving interchanges have also been discussed. These investments would allow traffic to be spread more evenly, reducing pressure at Kalimash. Digital tolling systems and electronic payment methods may also be expanded in the coming years, further speeding up vehicle passage.
What Travelers Should Expect
Travellers using this route during the summer should expect some delays at Kalimash, especially on weekends and during national holidays. Payment can be made in euros or Albanian lek, and electronic passes may be used by frequent drivers. Carrying cash is still recommended, as not all lanes support card payment.
Despite the waiting times, the journey has been made much shorter and safer than in the past. Scenic views of the Drin River valley, the modern tunnel, and the new bridge make the trip part of the travel experience. For many families from Kosovo, the National Road has become the familiar gateway to their summer holidays on the Adriatic coast.
The Broader Picture
This seasonal movement highlights the deep social and economic ties between Kosovo and Albania. Tourism spending on the coast supports Albania’s economy, while easy access to the sea offers Kosovo citizens a convenient summer retreat. The shared use of the National Road reinforces these bonds each year.
Authorities have acknowledged that congestion cannot be eliminated completely during peak months, but by investing in better infrastructure and managing traffic more actively, smoother travel will be possible. The progress already achieved with the tunnel, the Drini Bridge, and improved policing shows how effective these steps can be.
Conclusion
During the summer months the National Road handles the most cross-border traffic in Albania. This year’s surge from Kosovo has again hit record levels, yet lengthy queues have been kept in check by extra patrols, more open toll booths, and upgraded roadside facilities. Ongoing investments point to still smoother passages ahead, with enhanced lanes, advanced toll technology and larger interchange designs already in the works. Passengers can look forward to quicker trips, improved safety and overall increased comfort in the seasons to come.
This corridor is far more than a mere strip of pavement; it serves as the lifeline that unites families, bolsters the tourism economy, and cements the collaborative bond between Albania and Kosovo.
