Is the highway free if you enter before National Day?

[StNova]

Free hours start at 00:00 on the first day of the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays and end at 24:00 on the last day of the holidays. The following are the relevant regulations for highway toll-free: 1. The time of exiting the highway is used as the standard for whether it is free or not: If you enter the highway during the free period but exit outside the free period, it is not considered free passage; conversely, if you enter the highway outside the free period but exit during the free period, it is still considered free. 2. Requirements for the scope of vehicles eligible for free passage: The highway only provides free passage for passenger vehicles with 7 seats or less (including 7 seats), including motorcycles allowed to drive on the highway.

[OBeau]

I tried taking the highway early last National Day, driving home on the evening of the 30th, but didn’t exit until midnight on the 7th and still had to pay the toll. That’s because the free period only applies to exits between October 1st and 7th at midnight. For these holiday toll-free policies, only the exit time matters, not the entry time. I used to think leaving in the morning was better, but after checking official sources, I learned it’s mainly to avoid congestion and ensure fair management. For example, last year, my friend left a day earlier and exited the highway on the morning of the 1st, enjoying the free pass and saving a lot. With ten years of driving experience, I suggest planning your route ahead, avoiding peak hours—especially on the last evening when traffic is heavy and delays can lead to extra charges. It’s best to estimate your travel time with some buffer to prevent missing the free window due to traffic. The key takeaway is that you only get the benefit if you exit during the toll-free period.

[SanAdelyn]

Last year during the National Day holiday, our family wanted to save money by taking the kids out early on the 30th. However, we miscalculated the highway exit time and ended up exiting at 8 PM on the 7th, only to be charged. After checking the policy, I realized that the free period runs from midnight on October 1st to 24:00 on the 7th, depending on when you exit the highway. The entry date doesn’t matter. Thinking about it, this arrangement helps prevent traffic congestion by avoiding a rush onto the highways. Since we travel on a tight budget with kids, I suggest starting in the middle of the holiday to minimize risks, ideally on the 1st or 2nd to ensure returning home before the 7th. Also, be mindful of rest stops—don’t linger too long and miss your exit window. Use navigation apps to monitor real-time traffic and avoid our mistake. Setting off early, fueling up, and keeping an eye on exit times is key. Saving money is important, but safety comes first.

[ColeRose]

I carefully read the announcement about the National Day highway toll-free policy. The free period is from 00:00 on October 1st to 24:00 on October 7th, and only the exit time at the toll station matters. It's fine to enter the highway a few days earlier, but you must exit before the 7th to enjoy the free policy, otherwise you'll have to pay. For example, if you start your trip on the 30th, just exit on the 1st. But if you delay until the morning of the 8th, you'll definitely have to pay. This design prevents traffic congestion caused by everyone rushing onto the highway at once. I've seen many online guides suggesting planning your time and route carefully, and not gambling on returning during the peak on the last day. Although I don't have much driving experience myself, I recommend beginners to use apps to estimate travel time and preferably do a test run in advance to avoid delays. Remember, it's important to understand holiday policies and not blindly believe rumors.

[ElijahLee]

When I was younger, I always got confused about the highway toll-free rules until I took my kids on vacation after retirement and finally understood. The National Day toll-free period starts at 00:00 on October 1st and ends at 24:00 on October 7th. Whether you get a free ride depends on the time you exit the highway—the entry time doesn’t matter. For example, if you enter on September 30th but exit by the evening of the 7th, it’s free; exiting after the 7th means you pay. The benefit of this system is that it disperses traffic flow and reduces accident risks. I advise the kids to plan their trips with buffer time and avoid cutting it close, especially on rural highways where traffic jams can cause delays. When traveling with elderly folks, pay extra attention to rest stops and minimize unnecessary breaks to ensure a safe exit. Checking the local highway service hotline or official social media for the latest policies is the most accurate way to avoid wasting money like I did in the past. Saving money is nice, but health matters more.

[DiLouis]

As a frequent business traveler, I thoroughly researched the highway toll-free policy before National Day. The free period runs from 00:00 on October 1st to 24:00 on October 7th, calculated based on the exit time at toll stations, with entry time not counted. Entering early on the 30th is fine as long as you exit within the 7-day window; exiting on the 8th will incur charges. This rule aims to balance peak traffic flow and prevent large-scale congestion. A common misconception is focusing only on the entry date while neglecting the return time, resulting in unexpected tolls. I recommend office workers use mobile apps to set countdown reminders and plan to avoid the evening rush on the last day. I also found that departing early in the morning or late at night makes it easier to exit the highway on time. The key is to monitor real-time traffic updates and avoid exceeding the time limit. Saving money while ensuring efficiency makes for a smoother journey.