Which Holidays Have Free Highway Tolls?
2 Answers
According to the "Implementation Plan for Exempting Small Passenger Vehicles from Toll Fees on Major Holidays", the following four national statutory holidays have been designated for toll-free highway travel: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day. Free period: Starting from 00:00 on the first day of the holiday until 24:00 on the last day of the holiday. The toll-free period is determined by the time the vehicle exits the highway toll lane. Vehicles still on the highway shortly before the end of the free period should exit at the nearest toll station based on their actual location and time to avoid safety hazards caused by rushing or speeding. Vehicles eligible for free passage: Passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer (including 7 seats) traveling on toll roads, including motorcycles permitted on ordinary toll roads. Vehicles not eligible for free passage: Small passenger vehicles with 8 or 9 seats are not included in the toll-free category. Therefore, even if an 8-seater vehicle is charged as a Class 1 vehicle, it cannot enjoy toll-free highway travel. Mini and large trucks, as well as some special-purpose vehicles and vehicles with more than 7 seats, are classified as regular vehicles and are subject to standard toll fees.
Over the years, I've driven on highways a lot, and the free toll policy mainly applies during major holidays like the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, May Day, and National Day. These are statutory holidays set by the state, during which tolls are waived for passenger vehicles with fewer than 7 seats, usually starting from midnight the day before the holiday until midnight on the last day. Last Spring Festival, driving home saved me hundreds in toll fees, and luckily, the weather was good with no traffic jams—but leaving early to avoid peak hours is crucial. The holiday toll-free policy is great for returning home or traveling, though heavy traffic increases accident risks. So, I always remind myself to check brakes and tires, and pack snacks and water. During free periods, using navigation apps for real-time traffic updates is the smartest move—don’t just focus on saving money while neglecting safety. The policy aims to ease financial burdens and boost spending, but personally, if the weather’s bad or you’re a novice driver, consider carpooling or postponing the trip.
