When is the highway toll-free?
2 Answers
Highway toll-free periods are applicable during four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, 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. For ordinary roads, the toll-free status is determined by the time when the vehicle passes through the toll lane of the toll station, while for highways, it is determined by the time when the vehicle exits the toll lane at the exit. Waiving tolls for small passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer during major holidays is an important measure to adjust and improve the toll road policy. It is of great significance for enhancing road capacity and service levels during major holidays and reducing public holiday travel costs.
Free expressway passage is mainly implemented during several major national holidays, such as the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. The government announces specific dates in advance each year, typically offering about seven days of free passage during the Spring Festival and National Day, and three or five days during Qingming Festival and Labor Day. I've noticed in tracking policy changes that the free period runs from 00:00 on the holiday's start date to 24:00 on the end date, applicable to small passenger vehicles with fewer than 7 seats. The original intention of the policy is to save money on travel and promote tourism, but heavy traffic during peak periods can lead to congestion—I once experienced a three-hour traffic jam. It's advisable to check official announcements or traffic apps in advance to plan your trip and travel during off-peak hours for safety. Remember, the free period only waives toll fees; bridge tolls may still apply, so it's best to check route details before departure to ensure a smooth journey.
