What are the toll-free hours on highways during the Mid-Autumn Festival?
2 Answers
Highways are not toll-free during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Below are the relevant regulations for toll-free highway access: Vehicles eligible for toll-free passage: Passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer (including 7 seats) traveling on toll roads, as well as motorcycles permitted on ordinary toll roads. Toll-free time periods: Applicable during four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day, as well as the consecutive holidays determined by the State Council for these statutory holidays in the current year. The toll-free period starts at 00:00 on the first day of the holiday and ends at 24:00 on the last day (for ordinary roads, the toll-free status is determined by the time the vehicle passes through the toll lane; for highways, it is determined by the time the vehicle exits the toll lane).
The free expressway policy during the Mid-Autumn Festival is usually linked to the holiday schedule. The government typically implements toll-free passage during statutory holidays such as the Spring Festival and National Day. For example, in 2023, when the Mid-Autumn Festival coincided with the National Day holiday, the expressway was toll-free from 00:00 on September 29 until 24:00 on October 6. However, the specific dates vary each year and are announced by the transportation authorities, so it's important to check their official websites. The free policy mainly covers passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer, excluding large trucks and buses. I often drive to visit relatives during holidays, and heavy traffic during peak periods is common, especially on the first and last days of the holiday. It's advisable to travel in advance or during off-peak hours to save time. This benefit is a good initiative by the government to encourage family reunions, but don't expect it to be completely free—fuel costs and travel planning still require personal attention. It's best to check real-time announcements to avoid unnecessary trips.
