Is the highway free if you enter before National Day?
3 Answers
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.
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.
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.
