Is the free expressway period based on the entry or exit time?
2 Answers
Highway toll-free periods are based on exit times. According to regulations, the toll-free period on expressways is determined by the time when the vehicle leaves the exit toll lane. Essentially, whether you enjoy toll-free benefits depends on whether your exit time falls within the designated toll-free window. Planning your travel time during holidays can help reduce toll expenses. The toll-free periods apply during four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day, as well as any consecutive holidays officially designated by the State Council. Taking National Day as an example, the toll-free period starts at 00:00 on October 1st and ends at 24:00 on October 7th. For ordinary highways, the toll is calculated based on the time when the vehicle passes through the toll station lane, while for expressways, it's based on the time when the vehicle exits the toll lane.
Having driven for so many years, I always remember before every holiday that the free toll period on highways is determined by the exit time, not the entry time. Take the May Day holiday as an example: the free period usually starts at 0:00 on the first day and ends at 24:00 on the last day. If I enter early but ensure my exit falls within this window, I still get the free pass; conversely, exiting late means paying the toll. Once during a National Day trip, I miscalculated the time and almost had to pay extra. Since then, I've always checked the traffic conditions in advance to avoid long queues before the free period ends. Nowadays, navigation tools can even predict arrival times, allowing me to adjust speed based on real-time traffic. This not only saves money but also reduces congestion headaches. A piece of advice from experience: it doesn’t matter when you enter, what counts is the moment you step on the gas to exit.
