Thousands of drivers across Germany faced major confusion on Thursday as Google Maps falsely showed large parts of the country’s autobahns as closed. This disruption happened on one of the busiest travel days of the year, the start of the Ascension Day long weekend. The incorrect closures appeared near major cities like Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin, affecting highways in western, northern, central, and southwestern Germany. Some regions in Belgium and the Netherlands also experienced similar false alerts.
The error led to heavy congestion on smaller roads as drivers tried to avoid the supposedly closed highways. Police and traffic authorities reported a surge of calls from motorists confused by the misleading information. Many drivers found themselves stuck in unexpected traffic jams, causing delays and frustration.
Drivers who switched to alternative navigation tools like Apple Maps or Waze, or who followed live radio traffic updates, quickly realized that the autobahns were open and traffic was flowing normally. Social media users shared their disbelief and humor about the situation. One user wrote, “Surely not EVERY motorway is closed,” while another joked, “Looks like the autobahn caught a case of acne.”
The widespread false alerts sparked speculation about possible causes, including cyberattacks or major security incidents. However, the actual reason behind the Google Maps malfunction has not yet been confirmed.
Google responded by saying it is investigating the issue. A spokesperson explained that Google Maps gathers traffic data from various third-party sources, official transport agencies, and user reports. Although data is updated regularly, the speed and accuracy can vary. After receiving user complaints, Google began reviewing and removing incorrect closure notifications.
Authorities and experts recommend drivers check multiple navigation sources before traveling, especially during busy holiday periods, to avoid similar problems in the future.
This incident highlights the growing reliance on digital navigation tools and the impact that errors can have on traffic management and driver safety. As travel demand increases during holidays, accurate information is essential to prevent avoidable congestion and confusion.