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Expressways in South Korea

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Expressway arteries throughout South Korea
Approaching Seoul from Incheon Airport
Highway bus lane on Gyeongbu Expressway in the Republic of Korea

Expressways in South Korea (Korean대한민국의 고속도로; Hanja大韓民國의 高速道路; RRDaehanmingukui gosokdoro), officially called as National expressways (Korean고속국도; Hanja高速國道; RRGosokgukdo), are controlled-access highways owned by the government. They are operated mostly by the Korea Expressway Corporation and to a less extent by the private sector. They were originally numbered in order of construction. Since August 24, 2001, they have been numbered in a scheme somewhat similar to that of the Interstate Highway System in the United States; the icons of the South Korean Expressways are notably similar to those in the United States because they are shaped like U.S. Highway shields and colored like Interstate shields with red, white, and blue, the colors of the flag of South Korea.

  • Arterial routes are designated by two-digit numbers, with north–south routes having odd numbers, and east–west routes having even numbers. Primary routes (i.e. major thoroughfares) have 5 or 0 as their last digit, while secondary routes end in other digits.
  • Branch routes have three-digit route numbers, where the first two digits match the route number of an arterial route.
  • Belt lines have three-digit route numbers where the first digit matches the respective city's postal code.
  • Route numbers in the range 70–99 are not used in South Korea; they are reserved for designations in the event of Korean reunification.
  • The Gyeongbu Expressway kept its Route 1 designation, as it is South Korea's first and most important expressway.

List of expressways

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  • red backgrounds are not opened to traffic
Route No. Name Origin Terminus Total Length(km)
Gyeongbu Expressway Geumjeong District, Busan (Guseo IC) Seocho District, Seoul (Yangjae IC) 416,1 km
Namhae Expressway Yeongam County, S. Jeolla (W. Yeongam IC) Suncheon, S. Jeolla (Haeryong IC) 106,8 km
Suncheon, S. Jeolla (W. Suncheon IC) Buk District, Busan (Deokcheon IC) 166,3 km
Muan–Gwangju Expressway Muan County, S. Jeolla (Muan Airport IC) Gwangsan District, Gwangju (Unsu IC) 41,3 km
Gwangju–Daegu Expressway Buk District, Gwangju (Munheung JC) Dalseong County, Daegu (Okpo JC) 176,0 km
Hamyang–Ulsan Expressway Hamyang, South Gyeongsang Province (North Hamyang JC) Ulju county, Ulsan city (Ulju JC) 144,6 km
Seohaean Expressway Muan County, S. Jeolla (Jungnim JC) Geumcheon District, Seoul (Geumcheon IC) 336,6 km
Ulsan Expressway Ulju County, Ulsan (Eonyang JC) Nam District, Ulsan (Ulsan IC) 14,3 km
Iksan–Pyeongtaek Expressway Iksan, N. Jeolla Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi 132,0 km
Pyeongtaek–Paju Expressway Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (Oseong IC) Paju, Gyeonggi 109,7 km
Saemangeum–Pohang Expressway Gimje, N. Jeolla Wanju County, N. Jeolla 55,1 km
Wanju County, N. Jeolla Jangsu County, N. Jeolla (Jangsu JC) 36,5 km
Dong District, Daegu (Palgongsan TG) Buk-gu, Pohang, N. Gyeongsang (Pohang IC) 69,4 km
Honam Expressway Suncheon, S. Jeolla (W. Suncheon IC) Nonsan, S. Chungcheong (Nonsan JC) 194,2 km
Nonsan–Cheonan Expressway Nonsan, S. Chungcheong (Nonsan JC) Cheonan, S. Chungcheong (Cheonan JC) 82,0 km
Suncheon–Wanju Expressway Suncheon, S. Jeolla (E. Suncheon IC) Wanju County, N. Jeolla (Wanju JC) 117,8 km
Sejong–Pocheon Expressway Habong-ri, Janggun-myeon, Sejong Jangjuk-ri, Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 55,86 km
Jangjuk-ri, Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do Topyeong-dong, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do
(S.Guri IC)
71,1 km
Topyeong-dong, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do
(S.Guri IC)
Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do
(Sinbuk IC)
50,6 km
Seosan–Yeongdeok Expressway Seosan, S. Chungcheong (Daesan JC) Yeongdeok County, N. Gyeongsang (Yeongdeok IC) 330,8 km
Dangjin–Cheongju Expressway Dangjin, S. Chungcheong Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, N. Chungcheong (Ochang JC) 48,8 km
Tongyeong–Daejeon Expressway Tongyeong, S. Gyeongsang (Tongyeong IC) Dong District, Daejeon (Biryong JC) 215,3 km
Jungbu Expressway Seowon-gu, Cheongju, N. Chungcheong (Nami JC) Hanam, Gyeonggi (Hanam JC) 117,2 km
Second Jungbu Expressway Icheon, Gyeonggi (Majang JC) Hanam, Gyeonggi (Sangok JC) 31,1 km
Pyeongtaek–Jecheon Expressway Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (W. Pyeongtaek JC) Jecheon, N. Chungcheong (Jecheon JC) 127,4 km
Jungbunaeryuk Expressway Masanhoewon-gu, Changwon, S. Gyeongsang (Naeseo JC) Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi (Yangpyeong IC) 301,7 km
Yeongdong Expressway Namdong District, Incheon (Seochang JC) Gangneung, Gangwon (Gangneung JC) 234,4 km
Gwangju–Wonju Expressway Gwangju, Gyeonggi (Gyeonggi-Gwangju JC) Wonju, Gangwon (Wonju JC) 57,0 km
Jungang Expressway Sasang District, Busan (Samnak IC) Chuncheon, Gangwon (Chuncheon IC) 388,1 km
Seoul–Yangyang Expressway Gangdong District, Seoul (Gangil IC) Yangyang County, Gangwon (Yangyang JC) 150,2 km
Donghae Expressway Haeundae District, Busan Yeongdeok County, N. Gyeongsang 131,8 km
Samcheok, Gangwon (Geundeok IC) Sokcho, Gangwon (Sokcho IC) 122,6 km
Capital Region First Ring Expressway Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi (Pangyo JC) Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi (Pangyo JC) 128,0 km
Namhae Expressway Branch 1 Haman County, S. Gyeongsang (Sanin JC) Changwon, S. Gyeongsang (Changwon JC) 17,9 km
Namhae Expressway Branch 2 Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Nangjeong JC) Sasang District, Busan (Sasang IC) 20,6 km
Namhae Expressway Branch 3 Jinhae-gu, Changwon, S. Gyeongsang Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Jillye JC) 15,3 km
Second Gyeongin Expressway Jung District, Incheon (Airport New Town JC) Jungwon-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi (Yeosudaero IC) 70,0 km
Gyeongin Expressway Nam District, Incheon (W. Incheon IC) Yangcheon District, Seoul (Sinwol IC) 13,4 km
Incheon International Airport Expressway Jung District, Incheon Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi (Bungno JC) 36,5 km
Seocheon–Gongju Expressway Seocheon County, S. Chungcheong (E. Seocheon IC) Gongju, S. Chungcheong (W. Gongju JC) 61,4 km
Pyeongtaek–Siheung Expressway Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (W. Pyeongtaek JC) Siheung, Gyeonggi (Gunja JC) 40,3 km
Osan–Hwaseong Expressway Osan, Gyeonggi (W. Osan JC) Hwaseong, Gyeonggi (Annyeong IC) 2,5 km
Yongin–Seoul Expressway Giheung-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi (Heungdeok IC) Seocho District, Seoul (Heolleung IC) 22,9 km
173
ex 173
Iksan–Pyeongtaek Expressway Branch Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi 5,7 km
Saemangeum–Pohang Expressway Branch (Pohang) Buk-gu, Pohang, N. Gyeongsang Buk-gu, Pohang, N. Gyeongsang 24,0 km
204
ex 204
Saemangeum–Pohang Expressway Branch (Iksan-Wanju) Iksan, N. Jeolla (Iksan JC) Wanju County, N. Jeolla 24,5 km
Honam Expressway Branch Nonsan, S. Chungcheong (Nonsan JC) Daedeok District, Daejeon (Hoedeok JC) 54,0 km
Gochang–Damyang Expressway Gochang County, N. Jeolla (Gochang JC) Damyang County, S. Jeolla (Daedeok JC) 42,5 km
255
ex 255
Gangjin–Gwangju Expressway Gangjin, S. Jeolla Seo District, Gwangju 51,1 km
292
ex 292
Sejong–Pocheon Expressway Osong Branch Sejong City Cheongju, N. Chungcheong 6,2 km
Daejeon Southern Ring Expressway Yuseong District, Daejeon (W. Daejeon JC) Dong District, Daejeon (Biryong JC) 20,9 km
Sangju–Yeongcheon Expressway Sangju, N. Gyeongsang (Nakdong JC) Yeongcheon, N. Gyeongsang (Yeongcheon JC) 93,9 km
Capital Region Second Ring Expressway Ssangsong-ri, Mado-myeon, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
(Mado JC)
Yongdam-ri, Sanbuk-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do 82,27 km
Ssangsong-ri, Mado-myeon, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
(Mado JC)
Seonggok-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
(South Ansan JC)
13,5 km
Seonggok-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do
(South Ansan JC)
Jeongwang-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do
(Sihwa IC)
2,4 km
Sinheung-dong 3-ga, Jung-gu, Incheon
(Namhang IS)
Dosa-ri, Tongjin-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
(W.Gimpo-Tongjin IC)
28,5 km
Heungsin-ri, Yangchon-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
(W.Gimpo-Tongjin IC)
Bugok-ri, Paju-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do 25,4 km
Bugok-ri, Paju-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do Hoeam-dong, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
(Yangju IC)
24,8 km
Hoeam-dong, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
(Yangju IC)
Mubong-ri, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
(Soheul JC)
6,0 km
Mubong-ri, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
(Soheul JC)
Asin-ri, Okcheon-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
(Yangpyeong IC)
46,5 km
Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway Branch Dalseong County, Daegu (Hyeonpung JC) Buk District, Daegu (Geumho JC) 30,0 km
Gwangju Ring Expressway Gwangsan District, Gwangju Jangseong County, S. Jeolla 10,3 km
Jungang Expressway Branch Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Gimhae JC) Yangsan, S. Gyeongsang (Yangsan JC) 18,1 km
Busan Ring Expressway Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Jinyeong JC) Gijang County, Busan (Gijang JC) 48,8 km
Daegu Ring Expressway Dalseo District, Daegu Dong District, Daegu 32,91 km

Numbering scheme until 2001

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A numbering scheme of expressways in South Korea changed in 2001. Before 2001, roads are numbered as order of its approval (although not exactly same). This list below is the lines by the old scheme. Note that name, origin and terminus of some lines are changed with numbering scheme.

Route number Route name Origins
(former)
Terminal
(former)
Approval
Former Current English Korean
1 1 Gyeongbu 경부선 Seoul Busan 8 April 1969
2 120 Gyeongin 경인선 Seoul Incheon 2 September 1967
3 25, 251 Honam 호남선 Daejeon Suncheon 21 April 1970
3-2 253 Gwangju Bypass 광주외곽선 Jangseong Damyang 27 August 1997
4 50 Yeongdong 영동선 Yongin Gangneung 31 August 1971
5 65 Donghae 동해선 Sokcho Donghae 23 August 1973
6 10, 102 Namhae 남해선 Busan Suncheon 8 December 1971
6-2 104 Namhae 2nd Branch 남해제2지선 Busan Gimhae 22 June 1978
6-3 10 Masan Bypass 마산외곽선 Changwon Haman 27 August 1997
7 45, 451 Guma 구마선 Daegu Masan 19 March 1976
8 16 Ulsan 울산선 Ulju Ulsan 22 June 1978
9 12 88 Olympic 88올림픽선 Dalseong Damyang 22 June 1978
10 35 Jungbu 중부선 Hanam Cheongwon 29 May 1985
10-2 37 2nd Jungbu 제2중부선 Hanam Icheon 27 August 1997
11 15, 50, 110 Seohaean 서해안선 Incheon Muan 25 July 1991
12 50 Singal–Ansan 신갈~안산선 Yongin Ansan 14 July 1988
13 300 Daejeon Southern Ring 대전남부순환선 Daejeon Daejeon 14 July 1988
14 55 Jungang 중앙선 Daegu Chuncheon 20 October 1989
15 110 2nd Gyeongin 제2경인선 Anyang Incheon 25 July 1991
16 15 Seoul–Ansan 서울~안산선 Seoul Ansan 29 April 1992
17 35 Daejeon–Tongyeong 대전~통영선 Daejeon Tongyeong 29 April 1992
18 45 Jungbu Naeryuk 중부내륙선 Yeoju Dalseong 29 April 1992
19 55 Busan–Daegu 부산~대구선 Busan Daegu 29 April 1992
19-2 551 Branch of Busan–Daegu 부산~대구선 지선 Gimhae Yangsan 29 April 1992
20 130 Incheon International Airport 인천국제공항선 Goyang Incheon 27 September 1993
21 25 Cheonan–Nonsan 천안~논산선 Cheonan Nonsan 1 July 1996
22 30 Daejeon–Dangjin 대전~당진선 Daejeon Dangjin 1 July 1996
23 30 Cheongju–Sangju 청주~상주선 Cheongwon Sangju 1 July 1996
24 40 Pyeongtaek–Eumseong 평택~음성선 Pyeongtaek Eumseong 27 August 1997
25 151 Gongju–Seocheon 공주~서천선 Gongju Seocheon 27 August 1997
26 20 Iksan–Jangsu 익산~장수선 Iksan Jangsu 27 August 1997
27 22,[1] 20 Gimcheon–Pohang 김천~포항선 Gimcheon Pohang 27 August 1997
27-2 20 Branch of Gimcheon–Pohang 김천~포항선 지선 Daegu Yeongcheon 27 August 1997
101 100 Seoul Ring 서울외곽순환선 Seongnam Seongnam 14 January 1988

Electronic toll collection

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Hipass-only lane in Hoengseong IC TG, Jungang Expressway

Hi-pass is the name of an electronic toll collection system for the expressways in South Korea. From the highway toll gate to the high-pass lane, it is a blue line. 

Access restrictions

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Motorcycling restrictions

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Overhead sign at a South Korean expressway entrance, "Auto-Only Way, Motorcycle Restricted"
Motor vehicles only sign and no motorcycles sign in South Korea at an expressway entrance

Since June 1, 1972, all motorcycles except police motorcycles are prohibited from driving on expressways in South Korea, regardless of engine displacement. Before 1972, motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 250 cc were permitted on expressways.[2][3]

Since March 15, 1992, all motorcycles except police motorcycles have been banned from certain other roads designated for motor vehicles only.[4][5][6][7] These roads are marked by a circular blue sign with a white silhouette of a car.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Abandoned
  2. ^ (in Korean) Prohibit the driving on Expressways for Three-wheeled Vehicles and Motorcycles May 23, 1972, Dong-a Ilbo
  3. ^ (in Korean) Prohibit the driving on Expressways for Three-wheeled Vehicles etc May 24, 1972, Maeil Business Newspaper
  4. ^ (in Korean) Article 58 the South Korea Road Traffic Act(Revised for December 14, 1991, Enforced from to March 15, 1992)
  5. ^ (in Korean) Article 63 of the South Korea Road Traffic Act(Revised for May 31, 2005 and April 28, 2006, Enforced from to June 1st 2006)
  6. ^ (in Korean) Article 63 of the South Korea Road Traffic Act(Revised for June 8, 2011, Enforced from to December 9, 2011)
  7. ^ Law Available in English, requires manual click, South Korea Road Traffic Act
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