Can I Enter the Highway Early During the National Day Free Toll Period?
2 Answers
You can enter the highway early during the National Day free toll period, as long as you exit the highway during the holiday. However, be aware that if you leave your province before the free toll period begins, you will still need to pay tolls when passing through provincial boundary toll stations. The free toll period is determined by the time the vehicle exits the highway's toll lane, while for ordinary roads, it is based on the time the vehicle passes through the toll station's lane. If you enter the highway during the toll period and exit during the free period, you will not be charged. Conversely, if you enter during the free period and exit during the toll period, you will be charged.
I drive home every National Day and am quite familiar with the free expressway rules. The free period is fixed during the National Day holiday, such as from the 1st to the 7th. If you enter the expressway early, like on the evening of the 30th, and exit during the free period, such as after midnight on the 1st, the system will calculate the toll based on your entry time, and you might have to pay a partial fee—it won’t be completely free. The key is the entry time: if you enter when the free period has already started, the entire trip is free; if you enter before the free period begins, you’ll need to pay for the non-free portion at the exit. Nowadays, many people leave a bit early to avoid peak traffic, but you should watch out for congestion, especially at night when entry points tend to have long queues. It’s best to depart early or travel during off-peak hours. I’ve also heard that some places allow entry onto the expressway a few hours before the free period starts, and if you exit during the free time, you won’t be charged. But don’t expect to save much—it’s better to drive safely and not lose big for small gains. During holidays, safety comes first, so pack food and water.
