How Long Are Highways Free During Chinese New Year?
3 Answers
During the Spring Festival, tolls are waived for seven days, from New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the lunar new year. Here are some precautions for driving on highways: 1. Do not occupy the emergency lane: The most important rule on highways is to avoid using the emergency lane. Every year during the toll-free period, various accidents occur on highways. Keeping the emergency lane clear allows rescue, firefighting, and traffic management vehicles to arrive promptly, helping to ease traffic and potentially save lives in critical situations. 2. Avoid prolonged stays at service areas: The surge in vehicles during the toll-free period puts immense pressure on service areas. Many highway service areas have limited space, leading to parking difficulties. Drivers are advised to minimize their stay at service areas to improve flow efficiency. Ensure your tank is full before departure, use the restroom, take a short break, and then continue your journey. 3. Check your spare tire and prepare tools: Historical data shows higher accident rates during holidays. It's recommended that drivers carry a spare tire, basic repair tools, and first aid supplies in their vehicles. In case of traffic jams or accidents ahead, these tools can assist both yourself and others. Always stock up on food and drinking water in your car. Drivers with the means should consider installing a dashcam to provide video evidence in case of an accident.
The free expressway policy during the Chinese New Year usually lasts about 7 days. As a long-distance driver, I always pay attention to this every Spring Festival. The free period starts at 00:00 on New Year's Eve and ends at 24:00 on the sixth day of the lunar new year, covering the entire holiday peak. While saving money is good, the roads are packed with vehicles, often leading to severe traffic jams. I recommend avoiding peak hours, such as traveling before New Year's Eve or on the afternoon of the sixth day, which are particularly crowded. Check your vehicle condition in advance, and prepare water and food in case of long waits. Safety first—don't speed to save time. Enjoy the free benefit while ensuring a safe arrival at your destination. I often use this window to plan trips back home to visit family or for road trips, saving on fuel costs to spend more on reunion dinners.
The 7-day free expressway policy during the Chinese New Year is particularly cost-effective for family trips, helping us save a considerable amount of money. As a parent who loves taking children back to our hometown, the free period lasting from New Year's Eve to around the sixth day of the lunar new year allows us to make more trips for family visits or tourism. However, with more people comes congestion, and children inevitably get restless, so I usually choose to depart early in the morning or return late to avoid traffic jams. While saving money is great, I recommend checking real-time traffic apps when planning your trip and packing some snacks to ease boredom. This benefit can also be utilized for family gatherings, but the key is to take more breaks on the road to ensure safety.
