How many days during the Mid-Autumn Festival are highways toll-free?
3 Answers
Highways are toll-free for eight days before the Mid-Autumn Festival. Here is an introduction to the toll-free policy: 1. Toll-free dates: Currently, highways are only toll-free during major holidays such as the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day, which are nationally significant holidays. Additionally, there are specific requirements for vehicles—only passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer qualify. Commercial vehicles are still subject to tolls. Eligible vehicles can enjoy nationwide toll-free highway access during these holidays. 2. Holiday period: The toll-free period starts at 00:00 on the first day and ends at 24:00 on the last day, which is common knowledge.
How many days are highways free during the Mid-Autumn Festival? As an experienced long-distance driver, I know this varies by year. The highway toll-free policy mainly applies to four holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. Mid-Autumn Festival alone usually doesn’t qualify for free passage. However, in recent years, Mid-Autumn Festival often falls within the National Day holiday, becoming part of the toll-free period. For example, in 2023, Mid-Autumn Festival was on September 29, and the toll-free period ran from 00:00 that day to 24:00 on October 6—a full 7 days of free travel. If Mid-Autumn Festival is a standalone one-day holiday, the toll-free days are zero. This policy is quite flexible, and the transportation department announces specific dates in advance each year. Drivers should always check the current year’s arrangements before hitting the road to avoid disappointment. The toll-free policy only applies to passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer, and timing your entry and exit from the highway is crucial—otherwise, you might end up paying for exceeding the window. During toll-free periods, traffic surges, and highways can get extremely congested. It’s advisable to travel during off-peak hours or take provincial roads to save time. Holiday driving safety comes first, so always keep emergency supplies in your car.
The duration of free expressway travel during the Mid-Autumn Festival depends on holiday arrangements. From a policy perspective, expressway toll exemptions only apply to four major holidays including Spring Festival and Qingming Festival, with Mid-Autumn Festival not being free when standing alone. However, in recent years, Mid-Autumn Festival has often been incorporated into the National Day holiday. For example, in 2023, as the first day of National Day, the toll-free period lasted a full 7 days. When it's a standalone one-day holiday, the free days count drops to zero. Policy changes have been significant, with the government adjusting the toll-free period annually based on holiday schedules to alleviate public travel burdens. The query method is straightforward: simply check the announcements on the Ministry of Transport's official website or app, where the information is clearly stated. During holidays, heavy traffic often leads to congestion. Personal experience suggests avoiding peak travel times for a smoother journey. The toll exemption applies only to passenger vehicles under 7 seats, excluding large trucks—don't get confused. Drive safely and avoid speeding.
