Expressways in South Korea

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 (Korean: 대한민국의 고속도로; Hanja: 大韓民國의 高速道路; RR: Daehanmingukui gosokdoro), officially called as National expressways (Korean: 고속국도; Hanja: 高速國道; RR: Gosokgukdo), are operated by the Korea Expressway Corporation. 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[]

• red backgrounds are not opened to traffic

Numbering scheme until 2001[]

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.

Access restrictions[]

Motorcycling restrictions[]

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[]

• Highway system in South Korea
• National highways of South Korea
• Local highways of South Korea
• Motorways in North Korea

References[]

External links[]

• MOLIT – South Korean Government Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport