How Many Days Are Free on the Highway?
2 Answers
Highway toll-free periods are applicable during four national statutory holidays: the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. The toll-free period starts at 00:00 on the first day of the holiday and ends at 24:00 on the last day of the holiday. For ordinary roads, the toll-free status is determined by the time when the vehicle passes through the toll lane of the toll station, while for highways, it is determined by the time when the vehicle exits the toll lane at the highway exit. Waiving tolls for small passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer during major holidays is an important measure to adjust and improve the toll road policy. It plays a significant role in enhancing road capacity and service levels during major holidays and reducing the public's holiday travel costs.
Free expressway passage is mainly concentrated during several major holidays stipulated by the state. During the Spring Festival, it usually starts at 0:00 on the first day of the lunar new year and lasts until 24:00 on the seventh day, offering a full seven days of free travel. However, it's important to note that the actual number of days may be slightly adjusted, so it's best to check the government announcement for that year. The National Day holiday also offers a standard seven-day free passage, from October 1st to 7th, with free access all day. Additionally, the Qingming Festival and Labor Day usually have a three-day free period, such as one day before and after the Qingming Festival day. These policies have been implemented since 2012 to alleviate holiday travel burdens, allowing people to happily return home for family visits or travel. Every time I talk about this topic, I remind my friends not to rush too early, as toll stations can easily become congested when the free period starts, so planning ahead is crucial. The free passage mainly applies to small passenger vehicles, including private cars with seven seats or fewer, but excludes trucks or commercial vehicles. It's recommended to check the official app before traveling to confirm and avoid a wasted trip. Overall, this benefit saves several hundred yuan, but during peak congestion, it's still necessary to have some patience.
