Korea to waive highway tolls during this week’s Chuseok holiday

Fuel prices at 226 service stations operated along government-funded highways will be cut by 100 won/liter

A gas station in Seoul on Sept. 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

 Tolls on highways across South Korea will be waived during the Chuseok holiday this week, while fuel prices at 226 service stations operated along government-funded highways will be cut by 100 won (US$0.07) per liter.

 The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Tuesday that the Cabinet approved a plan to waive tolls on all highways nationwide, including privately operated expressways, for four days from Thursday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 27.

 The toll exemption will apply to all vehicles that use the highways at any point between 12:00 am on Thursday and midnight on Sunday. This means vehicles that enter a highway late on Wednesday and exit on Thursday will also qualify, as will vehicles that enter late on Sept. 27 and exit on Sept. 28.

 Drivers using Hi-Pass lanes will receive the exemption automatically by passing through toll gates with their electronic toll devices switched on. Drivers using regular lanes must take a ticket when entering the highway and hand it over at the exit tollbooth.

 The government will also cut fuel prices by 100 won per liter at 226 service stations operated along Korea Expressway Corporation-managed highways to help ease the cost of returning home after the holiday. From 12:00 am Thursday through midnight Sunday, the stations will sell fuel at prices 100 won per liter below their prices on Sept. 17.

 Gasoline is expected to be sold for 1,744 won per liter and diesel for 1,734 won per liter. Service stations located on privately operated expressways will not be included in the discount.

 A ministry official said the government would work closely with relevant agencies to prepare for increased traffic, particularly around highway interchanges, and would closely monitor traffic management and fuel supplies throughout the holiday period.