Total amounts of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), strontium( Sr), and chromium (Cr) were measured in surface levels of soil (0-20 cm) as well as in the plants Taraxacum officinale, Pinus silvestris, and Tilia cordata within distances of 5-10 m, 2.0 km, 3.5 km, and 5 km from a heavy traffic route in an open area. Our research showed that car exhaust gases coming from heavily trafficed routes in open areas affect the heavy metal content in plants up to distances of 2 km from the route. Specific influence of traffic concerning Sr content was observed in needles of Pinus silvestris, whereas elevated content of Zn was observed in other plants – leaves of Tilia cordata and Taraxacum officinale.