Which Days Are Free on the Highway?
2 Answers
The toll-free periods on highways include four national statutory holidays: the Spring Festival, Tomb-Sweeping Day, Labor Day, and National Day. The free period starts at 00:00 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 period is determined by the time the vehicle passes through the toll lane of the toll station, while for highways, it is determined by the time the vehicle exits the toll lane at the exit). The vehicles eligible for free passage include passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer (including seven seats) traveling on toll roads, as well as motorcycles allowed on ordinary toll roads. Highways are not free on New Year's Day, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Qixi Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, or Double Ninth Festival. However, if the Mid-Autumn Festival coincides with the National Day holiday, highways will also be free. The toll standards for highways: Currently, the toll standards for highways vary across the country, but generally range from 0.3 yuan to 2 yuan. Small passenger vehicles are mainly charged based on distance, while large trucks are charged based on both distance and tonnage. For small vehicles, whether they have 5 or 7 seats, the toll is the same. For trucks, the heavier the vehicle, the higher the toll for the same distance. About highways: Highways are classified as high-grade roads. According to the "Technical Standards for Highway Engineering" issued by the Ministry of Transport of China, highways are defined as roads "capable of accommodating an average daily traffic volume of more than 25,000 small passenger vehicles, dedicated to high-speed divided-lane travel for automobiles, and with fully controlled access." Although different countries have different names for highways, they generally refer to roads with four or more lanes, separated two-way traffic, fully controlled access, and all-grade interchanges. Additionally, many countries also refer to direct trunk roads with partially controlled access and not entirely grade-separated as highways. Generally, highways can accommodate speeds of 120 km/h or higher, with road widths of four or more lanes. They feature a central median, high-grade pavement surfaces such as asphalt concrete or cement concrete, and are equipped with complete signage, markings, signals, and lighting. Pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles are prohibited, and intersections with other roads are grade-separated, with pedestrians using overpasses or underpasses. Generally, highways must meet the following four conditions: Dedicated to high-speed travel for automobiles; Equipped with multiple lanes and a central median to completely separate opposing traffic; Equipped with grade-separated interchanges; Fully enclosed with controlled access, allowing vehicles to enter or exit only at designated grade-separated interchanges.
Free expressway tolls are mainly concentrated during several statutory long holidays. Based on my years of driving experience, the Spring Festival usually offers about seven days of free tolls, typically from the first to the seventh day of the lunar new year; the National Day holiday also provides roughly seven days of toll-free travel; while the Tomb Sweeping Day and Labor Day usually offer three days of toll exemption. However, the specific dates are announced annually by the Ministry of Transport, so it's essential to check the official website or traffic management apps. For example, this year's National Day free toll period runs from October 1st to 7th. During these free periods, traffic volume surges dramatically, leading to congestion. Drivers are advised to depart early and avoid peak hours. Before traveling, check your vehicle's condition, including tire pressure and braking systems, to ensure safety. Staying updated with news can save significant toll expenses, especially for long-distance trips, making them more cost-effective.
