Good Friday: see the best times to leave SP on the holiday

More than 5 million cars are expected to leave the capital of São Paulo towards the interior and coast of São Paulo during the Holy Week holiday along the state's main highways, according to dealership forecasts.

The most intense movement should take place this Thursday (28), from 2pm to 10pm, and on Good Friday, from 9am to 1pm.

The State Transport Agency (Artesp) warns of the presence of pilgrims on some highways, especially those leading to the Sanctuary of Pirapora do Bom Jesus, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.

Many pilgrims already walk along the roadsides with crosses on their backs. The main celebrations are held on Friday. “The expectation for this holiday is an increase in the flow of vehicles on the highways, both tourists and pilgrims,” said general director Milton Persoli.

During the nights of this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, there are theatrical performances of the Passion of Christ outdoors at the Edgar de Souza Dam, in Santana de Parnaíba, with the expectation of a large audience that should be busy on the region's highways, including Castelo Branco.

See forecasts for the main state highways

• Anhanguera-Bandeirantes System: hit the road from 9am to 2pm on Friday
• Castello-Raposo System: movement intensifies from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday and from 9am to 11am on Friday
• Ayrton Senna-Carvalho Pinto Corridor: intense movement is expected from 8am to 10pm on Thursday and on Friday, from 6am to 2pm
• Anchieta-Imigrantes System: estimated congestion between 2pm and 10pm on Thursday and from 9am to 1pm on Friday. Operation Descent, with seven lanes facing Baixada Santista and three for the ascent, could be adopted this Thursday.

For the North Coast, the stretch of Contorno Norte da Tamoios towards Ubatuba will be open to traffic, but it is necessary to know whether the weather conditions will favor the descent to Caraguatatuba through the ancient mountain range, which closes when it rains 100 millimeters in a 72-hour period . It's worth checking the dealership's website.

Federal highways

The forecast is that 3 million vehicles will use these roads to leave the city of São Paulo.

• Fernão Dias and Presidente Dutra: traffic should be intense from 2pm this Thursday. The peak of congestion should be on Friday, from 7am to 2pm
• Régis Bittencourt: congestion forecast from 9am, with heavy traffic expected until 10pm