What is "gastarbeiterroute"

Gastarbeiterroute is a German language slang term originating in the 1970s. It refers to the then European route 5. In summer, and for Christmas and Easter, gastarbeiters working in Austria and Germany would drive their automobiles down the gastarbeiterroute to their counties of origin. The gastarbeiterroute started in Munich and terminated in either Istanbul or Thessaloniki. It was notoriously dangerous for drivers and passengers who traveled on roads not suited to such heavy traffic.