How many days are highways free in October?
2 Answers
Highways are free from 00:00 on October 1st to 24:00 on October 8th. For ordinary roads, the free period is determined by the time when the vehicle passes through the toll lane of the toll station, while for highways, it is based on the time of exiting the highway. For example, if you enter the highway at 21:00 on September 30th and exit at 01:00 on October 1st, the entire journey is free. If you enter the highway at 23:00 on October 8th and exit at 00:05 on October 9th, exceeding 24:00, the entire journey will be charged. The free passage on highways applies to passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer (including 7 seats) traveling on toll roads, including motorcycles allowed on ordinary toll roads.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and every National Day holiday, I drive home to visit relatives. The toll-free period on highways usually lasts for 7 days, roughly from October 1st to October 7th. This policy is implemented by the government to facilitate holiday travel and save people a significant amount on road tolls. However, traffic congestion during peak hours can be severe. I usually avoid traveling on the first and last days, opting to leave early and drive overnight instead. Some older road sections experience heavy traffic, so safety should always come first—don’t speed just to save time. It’s advisable to bring some water and snacks for emergencies, ensuring a more relaxed and worry-free journey. If the roads are crowded, choosing to depart in the morning tends to be smoother, avoiding the afternoon rush. In recent years, the holiday arrangements haven’t changed much, with the toll-free period remaining stable at 7 days.
