Good Friday Commute: Heavy Outbound Congestion Expected on Perth Freeways

Good Friday Travel Outlook

As Perth moves into the Easter long weekend, commuters and travelers should prepare for a significant shift in traffic patterns today, Friday, 3 April 2026. While the central business district is expected to remain relatively quiet due to the Good Friday public holiday, major arterial roads will experience heavy volumes as the annual holiday exodus begins. Main Roads WA has advised motorists to plan their departures carefully to avoid peak congestion periods, particularly on routes leading out of the metropolitan area.

Major Freeway and Road Impacts

Travelers heading south should anticipate heavy braking and slow-moving traffic on the Kwinana Freeway. Congestion is expected to peak between the Mt Henry Bridge and the Cockburn Central area. Similarly, those heading north via the Mitchell Freeway will likely encounter delays from the Reid Highway interchange through to the end of the freeway at Hester Avenue. Key areas of concern for today include:

• Forrest Highway: Significant delays are expected for motorists traveling toward the South West. Congestion usually intensifies around the Pinjarra and Myalup areas.
• Hackett Drive (Crawley): Essential road resurfacing works continue. Temporary closures and lane restrictions are in place between Princess Road and Stirling Highway. While work may be paused for the holiday, existing barriers and speed reductions remain.
• South Perth and Como: Localized traffic disruptions continue around Mill Point Road, Davilak Street, and Harper Terrace due to ongoing construction activities. Motorists should watch for changed traffic conditions and truck movements.
• CBD Infrastructure: Long-term power and METRONET-related upgrades on Hay Street and Milligan Street continue to restrict lane access, though traffic volume in the city center will be significantly lower than a standard weekday.

Public Transport Alerts

Transperth services will operate on a Sunday/Public Holiday timetable today. Commuters should be aware of the following service notes:

• Train Services: All lines will run according to the Sunday schedule. There are no major track closures scheduled for today; however, travelers should note that the Yanchep Line is scheduled for a full-day closure this coming Sunday, 5 April.
• Buses and Ferries: Most bus routes will operate on reduced holiday frequencies. The Elizabeth Quay ferry will follow a holiday timetable, providing a convenient option for those visiting the foreshore.
• CAT Services: The Perth Central Area Transit (CAT) buses will run on their standard public holiday schedule with slightly longer intervals between services.

Travel Advice for the Long Weekend

To ensure a smoother journey, the authorities recommend leaving either very early in the morning or waiting until later this evening when the initial wave of holiday traffic has subsided. Double demerits are also in effect across Western Australia for the duration of the Easter break, and motorists are encouraged to maintain safe following distances and stay patient during inevitable holiday delays.