When is the toll-free period for highways in 2020?
3 Answers
In 2020, the toll-free periods for highways are during the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day, totaling four national statutory holidays and the consecutive holidays determined by the State Council's official documents for these statutory holidays. Important notes for highway toll-free periods: For ordinary roads, the toll-free status is determined by the time the vehicle passes through the toll booth lane, while for highways, it is determined by the time the vehicle exits the highway. The vehicles eligible for toll-free passage are passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer (including seven seats) traveling on toll roads, including motorcycles permitted on ordinary toll roads. Highways are designed to accommodate speeds of 120 kilometers per hour or higher, with a minimum of four lanes (including) in width, a median divider, and advanced pavement materials such as asphalt concrete or cement concrete. They are equipped with comprehensive signage, markings, signals, and lighting installations.
I remember that in 2020, the highway toll-free periods were mainly during statutory holidays. The Spring Festival was originally scheduled for toll-free travel from 00:00 on January 24th to 24:00 on the 30th, but due to the outbreak of the pandemic, the government extended it to February 8th to help people cope with travel pressure. Later, the Qingming Festival had three toll-free days from April 4th to 6th, the Labor Day was adjusted to five toll-free days from May 1st to 5th, and the National Day holiday had eight toll-free days from October 1st to 8th. Having driven for decades, I know that only passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer are exempt from tolls during these periods, which is indeed great for saving money. However, I’d like to remind everyone that highways are crowded during these times, and safety is the top priority. Check your tires and brakes before traveling, and avoid rushing to prevent rear-end accidents. Try to leave early to avoid peak-hour congestion, and bring enough food and water for emergencies to make your journey more worry-free.
As someone who enjoys taking family road trips, I paid attention to the toll-free periods on highways in 2020 to plan cost-effective travels. The Spring Festival toll-free period was extended to February 8, but due to the pandemic, our family stayed local. During the Qingming Festival from April 4 to 6, we enjoyed three toll-free days and went to the suburbs to see the flowers. For the Labor Day holiday from May 1 to 5, we chose to travel on non-peak days to avoid crowds. During the National Day holiday from October 1 to 8, our family took an eight-day road trip to Yunnan, saving a lot on fuel costs thanks to the toll-free policy. When traveling, it's advisable to use navigation apps to check real-time traffic conditions and avoid congested routes. Make sure to service your vehicle in advance, securely fasten children's safety seats, and carry emergency tools like a first aid kit. While toll-free highways are great, remember to stay patient during traffic jams—safety first ensures an enjoyable journey.
