Is there a charge for entering the highway early during holidays?
3 Answers
Whether there is a charge for entering the highway early during holidays depends on the time of exiting the highway. The highway charges based on the time when the vehicle leaves the exit toll lane. If you exit the highway during the free period, no toll will be charged. If you exit before the free period starts, tolls will apply. The free highway travel period covers four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. The free period starts at 0:00 on the first day of the holiday and ends at 24:00 on the last day of the holiday. Waiving tolls for small passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer during major holidays is an important measure to adjust and improve toll road policies, significantly enhancing highway capacity and service levels during holidays and reducing public travel costs.
I've been driving for almost twenty years and have encountered similar situations several times when it comes to free highways during holidays. The key point is that highway tolls are calculated based on the time you exit the highway, not the time you enter. Simply put, if you enter the highway early—say, the day before the free period starts—but exit right when the free period ends, the toll station will charge you based on that moment, calculating the fee according to the actual distance traveled. I know this rule well because the transportation authorities have made it clear—the goal is to handle traffic flow fairly. My advice is not to cut it too close; plan to exit one or two hours before the free period ends to avoid getting stuck on the road and paying extra fees unnecessarily. Also, during peak hours, highways are crowded, so safety comes first. Bring a navigation app to check real-time traffic conditions for peace of mind—don’t let saving a bit of money cause unnecessary hassle.
As a frequent self-driving travel enthusiast, I always carefully consider the free highway policy during holidays. The toll charge is determined solely by the moment you exit the highway: if you leave during the toll-free period, even if you entered earlier, you'll have to pay the full standard rate. I once experienced this during National Day when I entered the highway a day early but exited slightly late, resulting in being charged for the entire journey, which wasn't worthwhile. So now, I make it a habit to allow extra time and calculate my trip carefully to avoid last-minute exits. The holiday toll-free policy is meant for convenience, but don't forget that peak hours often bring traffic jams, which could delay your exit time. I recommend checking official apps or navigation alerts to plan your route in advance, avoiding unexpected expenses and risks. Travel should be relaxing—don't let small toll charges spoil your mood.
