What are the free expressway toll periods?

[DiJudah]

Free expressway toll periods apply during four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. Below are important considerations for driving on expressways: 1. Obey traffic rules: Avoid forcing lane changes, which may endanger yourself and others. Under normal circumstances, maintain sufficient distance from vehicles behind when changing lanes and always use turn signals. 2. Avoid passing on the right: It's generally inadvisable to pass vehicles on the right side on expressways. Since Chinese vehicles are left-hand drive and drive on the right side of the road, visibility is poorer on the right side. Truck drivers primarily focus on their left-side mirrors, and right-side mirrors have larger blind spots than left-side ones. When passing on the right, drivers may not notice approaching vehicles in time. Given the high speeds involved, this situation can easily lead to accidents if emergencies occur.

[MacEmerson]

I've been driving on highways for over ten years and have experienced many toll-free periods. These mainly occur during four national holidays: the Spring Festival holiday usually offers free tolls from New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the lunar new year; the Qingming Festival typically has three days off with the middle two days being toll-free; during the May Day Labor holiday, the days around it may be free; the National Day holiday is the longest, often providing seven or eight toll-free days. These benefits apply to passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer, including ETC users. However, it's important to note that specific dates may vary each year, so it's best to check the Ministry of Transport's announcements in advance. Peak periods can be particularly congested, such as the first day of the National Day holiday when road conditions are terrible. It's advisable to avoid peak times and plan your travel schedule carefully. Normally, tolls are not waived, and these savings on toll fees are only available during specific holidays.

[DiAshley]

As someone who frequently goes on self-drive tours, I particularly enjoy planning trips during the highway toll-free periods. These periods mainly occur during the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day holidays, with the free duration typically covering the entire holiday length. For example, the seven-day National Day holiday is completely toll-free, allowing me to take my family on road trips and save a significant amount of money. Only small vehicles with fewer than 7 seats qualify for the toll exemption. During peak travel times, heavy congestion is common, especially on the first and last days of the holiday. I always check real-time traffic conditions using navigation apps in advance to avoid long delays on the highway. I remember one Qingming toll-free holiday when I took a long-distance trip—there were so many cars on the road that I arrived half a day late. Now, I always check weather and traffic forecasts beforehand. Safety comes first; don’t rush out just to take advantage of the toll-free policy.

[CatherineFitz]

The toll-free periods on highways are limited to a few major holidays: the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. During these holidays, highways are usually toll-free from 00:00 on the first day to 24:00 on the last day. For example, during the Spring Festival, tolls are waived for small passenger vehicles. Remember to use ETC to save money during regular toll periods. Traffic congestion is common during peak travel times, so it's best to plan your route in advance.

[Ortega]

I drive back to my hometown every National Day, and the toll-free period on the highway saves us a lot. The free passage is mainly available during the Spring Festival holiday, Qingming Festival, Labor Day holiday, and the National Day holiday. The free period usually covers the entire holiday duration, but it varies slightly each year, so it's best to check the official website for details. I prefer to leave a day or two early to avoid peak congestion, as heavy traffic increases the risk of accidents. Only small vehicles with seven seats or fewer are eligible for the free pass; others must pay the regular toll. ETC users should also ensure their entry and exit times fall within the toll-free period. With the extensive highway network now, choosing less crowded alternate routes during the free period can make the journey smoother.

[VonSadie]

In the past, highways were rarely toll-free, but now the policies are much better. The toll-free periods are mainly concentrated during national statutory holidays such as the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. For example, the Spring Festival holiday lasts over a week with toll-free travel, and the National Day holiday is similar, with the toll-free period starting at 00:00 on the first day of the holiday and ending at 24:00 on the last day. Small passenger vehicles with fewer than 7 seats can save on toll fees, but it's advisable to check the latest dates before traveling to avoid peak periods. I often take advantage of these toll-free periods to save money when traveling with my grandson. However, traffic congestion during peak hours can be severe, so it's best to drive during off-peak times or depart half a day earlier. During toll-free periods, remember to drive safely and avoid speeding, and ensure your ETC card is topped up in advance just in case.