Traffic Jam
Slide the cars and trucks to get the red car out.
How to play Traffic Jam
Traffic Jam is a sliding block puzzle set in a crowded parking lot. The lot is a 6×6 grid packed with cars and trucks. Your red car is stuck in the third row, and the only way out is the gap in the right-hand wall.
Goal
Move the other vehicles out of the way until the red car can drive through the exit on the right. Try to do it in as few moves as possible.
Turn by turn
- Drag any car or truck forwards or backwards along its lane. Cars that lie across the lot slide left and right; cars that stand up and down slide up and down.
- Vehicles never turn and never jump over each other. A vehicle stops when it hits another vehicle or the wall.
- You can also tap a vehicle to select it, then tap a free square in its lane to send it there.
- One move is one vehicle sliding any distance. Sliding the same vehicle again straight away still counts as the same move.
- Stuck? Press Hint. The game finds the shortest way out from where you are and shows the next slide. Undo takes back moves one at a time.
Levels and stars
There are 50 levels in five groups, from Beginner to Master. Every level has been solved by computer, so the target shown is the true minimum number of moves. Solve a level in the minimum for three stars, within half as many again for two, or in any number of moves for one. Open Levels to jump to any level and see your stars.
Keyboard
Press Tab to move between vehicles and the arrow keys to slide the one in focus.
End of the level
As soon as the red car reaches the exit, it drives away and the level is solved. Press Next level to go on. Enjoy sliding puzzles? Try Sliding Puzzle.
Strategy tips
- Work backwards. Look at what blocks the red car's path, then at what blocks those vehicles. Follow the chain until you find a vehicle that can move freely.
- Trucks are the real problem. A three-square truck standing in the red car's row can only clear it by moving all the way up or down, so plan room for it early.
- Make space, not progress. In hard levels the red car often has to move backwards first. Do not be afraid to slide it away from the exit.
- Count free squares. Before you slide, check where each vehicle can go. A vehicle with no free squares in its lane is waiting on someone else.
- Replay for three stars. Once you know the solution, play the level again and cut out every extra move.
Traffic Jam FAQ
Is every level solvable?
Yes. Every level was solved by a computer search, which also found the minimum number of moves shown as the target.
How are moves counted?
One move is one vehicle sliding any distance in one go. Sliding the same vehicle twice in a row counts as one move.
How do I get three stars?
Solve the level in the minimum number of moves. Within half as many again earns two stars, and any solution earns one.
Is this like Rush Hour?
Yes, the rules are the same as the classic Rush Hour and Unblock Me puzzles: slide the blockers and free the red car.
