How long can you stay at a highway service area before leaving?
2 Answers
Here are the regulations regarding rest time at highway service areas: 1. There is no time limit for resting at highway service areas, but expressways impose overtime fees. The overtime fee is a nationwide highway network measure to prevent illegal activities such as toll evasion by swapping cards, targeting vehicles that exceed the allowed travel time. 2. Most expressways across the country have implemented procedures for handling vehicles that exceed the allowed travel time. However, the time spent resting at service areas or delays due to traffic accidents can be deducted. 3. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, the minimum speed limit on expressways is generally 60 kilometers per hour. This standard already provides drivers with ample time, accounting for necessary rest and refueling periods. If a driver requires more time for rest or experiences delays due to refueling or vehicle repairs, as long as they can provide corresponding receipts or proof verified by the toll station, it will not be counted as overtime.
Having driven for over a decade, I can say that parking duration at highway service areas is quite flexible with no strict rules on how long you must stay. It generally depends on personal needs—like taking a 15-minute break to drink water and stretch when tired, or leaving right after a quick restroom visit if urgent. However, a heads-up: parking for several hours might prompt a reminder or fee from staff due to limited spaces. Safety-wise, avoid stopping too briefly; insufficient rest leads to drowsy driving, which is risky. On my last long trip, a 20-minute nap refreshed me and reduced accident risks. Also, during peak hours, avoid prolonged stays to free up space for others—it’s good driving etiquette. Overall, 15-30 minutes is reasonable, but resting longer when exhausted is fine.
