Is the highway free during National Day?
2 Answers
During National Day, the highway is free of charge. The free period is from October 1st to October 8th. The free time starts at 0:00 on the first day of the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and ends at 24:00 on the last day of the holiday. For ordinary roads, the free time is based on the time when the vehicle passes through the toll lane of the toll station, while for highways, it is based on the time when the vehicle leaves the exit toll lane. The vehicles eligible for free highway passage are passenger vehicles with 7 seats or less (including 7 seats) traveling on toll roads, including motorcycles allowed on ordinary toll roads. The free highway scope includes toll roads where airport highways in various regions are free to pass, which must comply with the provisions of the Highway Law and the Regulations on the Administration of Toll Roads. Toll roads established in accordance with the law, including toll bridges and tunnels, are also included.
I often drive out for travel during the National Day holiday and always look forward to the toll-free policy on highways. Generally, from 00:00 on October 1st to 24:00 on October 7th, China's expressways offer free passage for small passenger vehicles with fewer than 7 seats, which is a benefit provided by the state for holiday travel. Last year during the holiday, I drove from Beijing to Tianjin and saved nearly 200 yuan in toll fees, but the traffic during peak hours was extremely heavy—I was stuck in the morning rush for over two hours, so bringing enough water and snacks is a must. Before traveling, I check the official traffic website to confirm the specific time to avoid exceeding the toll-free period. The traffic volume increases significantly during the free period, so it's advisable to choose non-peak hours for travel, such as early morning or evening. Taking advantage of this opportunity to visit relatives and friends is very cost-effective, but safety always comes first.
