South-east Queensland traffic centres were bracing for nightmare conditions on the roads throughout Monday, with holidaymakers expected to clog major highways as they returned from the long weekend.
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The traffic delays started during the late morning, but a few hours later it was all quiet on the south-eastern front and traffic centres were "at ease" throughout the afternoon.
About 25 kilometres of southbound delays formed on the Bruce Highway between Palmview and Beerburrum about 11am, according to Australian Traffic Network reporter Jay Lane.
Leave the Coast early, you'll beat the #traffic, they said! ???????? pic.twitter.com/4yqIj207XP??? RACQ (@RACQOfficial) October 2, 2017
However, this reduced to 15 kilometres two hours later and by 3pm it was "smooth sailing" according to Mr Lane.
The M1 northbound also had a bad start to the day, with congestion through Tweed Heads, Currumbin and Pacific Pines.
The delays were due to an earlier three-vehicle crash at Smith Street, Gaven, which connects to the Pacific Motorway. Two adults were taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.
Long weekend traffic nightmare already begins- crash on M1 near Gaven has nthbound traffic at a standstill! #gctraffic #bnetraffic pic.twitter.com/WysWKndyIi??? RACQ (@RACQOfficial) October 2, 2017
However, by 1pm all delays had cleared, with Mr Lane describing conditions as "superb" later in the afternoon.
"Everyone was a bit smart today and decided to leave early," Mr Lane said.