Ever get angry because your drive home took an extra half-hour? How does an extra ten days in your vehicle sound?

That’s how long some motorists on China’s Beijing-Zhangjiakou highway have been stranded in their vehicles. The massive traffic jam started on a small section of the highway on Aug. 14, and things have snowballed since then. All told, the bumper-to-bumper gridlock spans a 60-mile stretch of highway, with many drivers only moving a half-mile per day.

Like any other traffic delay, road construction’s to blame for the back-up — but the work in Beijing isn’t slated to be completed until the middle of next month, at best.

Authorities have tried to reduce the traffic by allowing more trucks to enter Beijing at night. In addition, they’ve asked trucking companies and couriers to suspend their operations in the area until the mess in cleaned up.

As for the stranded motorists? They’ve been passing the time by walking around their cars, sleeping and playing cards. And there is a winner in this dire traffic situation: local villagers. Many have made a fortune selling noodles and snacks to those desperate just to get home.

Tags: China, Commute, Traffic jam