Expressways in South 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.
![](../I/m/Autobahn_Southkorea.svg.png)
![](../I/m/NoojiJCT_IncheonInternationalAirportExpressWay.jpg)
List of expressways
- red backgrounds are not opened to traffic
# | Type | Name | Origin | Terminus | Total Length(km) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Main | Gyeongbu Expressway | Geumjeong District, Busan (Guseo IC) | Seocho District, Seoul (Yangjae IC) | 416.1 km | |
10 | East – West Trunk | 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 | ||||
102 | East – West Branch (of 10) | Namhae Expressway Branch 1 | Haman County, S. Gyeongsang (Sanin JC) | Changwon, S. Gyeongsang (Changwon JC) | 17.9 km | |
104 | East – West Branch (of 10) | Namhae Expressway Branch 2 | Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Nangjeong JC) | Sasang District, Busan (Sasang IC) | 20.6 km | |
105 | South – North Branch (of 10) | Namhae Expressway Branch 3 | Jinhae-gu, Changwon, S. Gyeongsang | Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Jillye JC) | 15.3 km | |
12 | East – West | 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 | |||
14 | East - West | Hamyang–Ulsan Expressway | Hamyang County, S. Gyeongsang | Ulju County, Ulsan | 144.6 km | |
15 | South – North Trunk | Seohaean Expressway | Muan County, S. Jeolla (Mokpo IC) | Geumcheon District, Seoul (Geumcheon IC) | 336.6 km | |
151 | South – North Branch (of 15) | Seocheon–Gongju Expressway | Seocheon County, S. Chungcheong (E. Seocheon IC) | Gongju, S. Chungcheong (W. Gongju JC) | 61.4 km | |
153 | South – North Branch (of 15) | Pyeongtaek–Siheung Expressway | Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (W. Pyeongtaek JC) | Siheung, Gyeonggi (Gunja JC) | 40.3 km | |
16 | East – West | Ulsan Expressway | Ulju County, Ulsan (Eonyang JC) | Nam District, Ulsan (Ulsan IC) | 14.3 km | |
17 | South – North | Iksan–Pyeongtaek Expressway | Iksan, N. Jeolla | Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi | 132.0 km | |
Pyeongtaek–Paju Expressway | Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (Oseong IC) | Paju, Gyeonggi | 109.7 km | |||
171 | South – North Branch (of 17) | 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 | South – North Branch (of 17) | Iksan–Pyeongtaek Expressway Branch | Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi | Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi | 5.7 km | |
20 | East – West Trunk | 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 | ||||
202 | East – West Branch (of 20) | Saemangeum–Pohang Expressway Branch (Pohang) | Buk-gu, Pohang, N. Gyeongsang | Buk-gu, Pohang, N. Gyeongsang | 24.0 km | |
204 | East – West Branch (of 20) | Saemangeum–Pohang Expressway Branch (Iksan-Wanju) | Iksan, N. Jeolla (Iksan JC) | Wanju County, N. Jeolla | 24.5 km | |
25 | South – North Trunk | 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 | |||
251 | South – North Branch (of 25) | Honam Expressway Branch | Nonsan, S. Chungcheong (Nonsan JC) | Daedeok District, Daejeon (Hoedeok JC) | 54.0 km | |
253 | South – North Branch (of 25) | Gochang–Damyang Expressway | Gochang County, N. Jeolla (Gochang JC) | Damyang County, S. Jeolla (Daedeok JC) | 42.5 km | |
255 | South – North Branch (of 25) | Gangjin–Gwangju Expressway | Gangjin, S. Jeolla | Seo District, Gwangju | 51.1 km | |
27 | South – North | Suncheon–Wanju Expressway | Suncheon, S. Jeolla (E. Suncheon IC) | Wanju County, N. Jeolla (Wanju JC) | 117.8 km | |
29 | South – North | Sejong–Pocheon Expressway | Anseong, Gyeonggi | Pocheon, Gyeonggi (Sinbuk IC) | 121.7 km | |
292 | East – West Branch (of 29) | Sejong–Pocheon Expressway Osong Branch | Sejong City | Cheongju, N. Chungcheong | 6.2 km | |
30 | East – West Trunk | Dangjin–Yeongdeok Expressway | Dangjin, S. Chungcheong (Dangjin JC) | Yeongdeok County, N. Gyeongsang (Yeongdeok IC) | 305.5 km | |
301 | South – North Branch (of 30) | Sangju–Yeongcheon Expressway | Sangju, N. Gyeongsang (Nakdong JC) | Yeongcheon, N. Gyeongsang (Yeongcheon JC) | 93.9 km | |
32 | East – West | Asan–Cheongju Expressway | Asan, S. Chungcheong | Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, N. Chungcheong (Ochang JC) | 48.8 km | |
35 | South – North Trunk | 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 | |||
37 | South – North | Second Jungbu Expressway | Icheon, Gyeonggi (Majang JC) | Hanam, Gyeonggi (Sangok JC) | 31.1 km | |
40 | East – West Trunk | Pyeongtaek–Jecheon Expressway | Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi (W. Pyeongtaek JC) | Jecheon, N. Chungcheong (Jecheon JC) | 127.4 km | |
45 | South – North Trunk | Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway | Masanhoewon-gu, Changwon, S. Gyeongsang (Naeseo JC) | Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi (Yangpyeong IC) | 301.7 km | |
451 | South – North Branch (of 45) | Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway Branch | Dalseong County, Daegu (Hyeonpung JC) | Buk District, Daegu (Geumho JC) | 30.0 km | |
50 | East – West Trunk | Yeongdong Expressway | Namdong District, Incheon (Seochang JC) | Gangneung, Gangwon (Gangneung JC) | 234.4 km | |
52 | East – West | Gwangju–Wonju Expressway | Gwangju, Gyeonggi (Gyeonggi-Gwangju JC) | Wonju, Gangwon (Wonju JC) | 57.0 km | |
55 | South – North Trunk | Jungang Expressway | Sasang District, Busan (Samnak IC) | Chuncheon, Gangwon (Chuncheon IC) | 388.1 km | |
551 | South – North Branch (of 55) | Jungang Expressway Branch | Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Gimhae JC) | Yangsan, S. Gyeongsang (Yangsan JC) | 18.1 km | |
60 | East – West Trunk | Seoul–Yangyang Expressway | Gangdong District, Seoul (Gangil IC) | Yangyang County, Gangwon (Yangyang JC) | 150.2 km | |
65 | South – North Trunk | Donghae Expressway | Haeundae District, Busan | Yeongdeok County, N. Gyeongsang | 131.8 km | |
Samcheok, Gangwon (Geundeok IC) | Sokcho, Gangwon (Sokcho IC) | 122.6 km | ||||
100 | Belt | Seoul Ring Expressway | Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi (Pangyo JC) | Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi (Pangyo JC) | 128.0 km | |
110 | Metropolitan Area | Second Gyeongin Expressway | Jung District, Incheon (Airport New Town JC) | Jungwon-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi (Yeosudaero IC) | 70.0 km | |
120 | Metropolitan Area | Gyeongin Expressway | Nam District, Incheon (W. Incheon IC) | Yangcheon District, Seoul (Sinwol IC) | 13.4 km | |
130 | Metropolitan Area | Incheon International Airport Expressway | Jung District, Incheon | Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi (Bungno JC) | 36.5 km | |
300 | Belt | Daejeon Southern Ring Expressway | Yuseong District, Daejeon (W. Daejeon JC) | Dong District, Daejeon (Biryong JC) | 20.9 km | |
400 | Belt | Capital Region Second Ring Expressway | Hwaseong, Gyeonggi | Gwangju, Gyeonggi | 62.9 km | |
Jung District, Incheon (Namhang IS) | Gimpo, Gyeonggi (W.Gimpo-Tongjin IC) | 28.5 km | ||||
Gimpo, Gyeonggi (W.Gimpo-Tongjin IC) | Paju, Gyeonggi | 25.4 km | ||||
Paju, Gyeonggi | Yangju, Gyeonggi | 24.8 km | ||||
Pocheon, Gyeonggi | Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi (Yangpyeong IC) | 46.5 km | ||||
500 | Belt | Gwangju Ring Expressway | Gwangsan District, Gwangju | Jangseong County, S. Jeolla | 10.3 km | |
600 | Belt | Busan Ring Expressway | Gimhae, S. Gyeongsang (Jinyeong JC) | Gijang County, Busan (Gijang JC) | 48.8 km | |
700 | Belt | Daegu Ring Expressway | Dalseo District, Daegu | Dong District, Daegu | 32.4 km |
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.
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 |
Access restrictions
Motorcycling restrictions
![](../I/m/Korean_Sign_-_Vehicles_Only_and_No_Thoroughfare_for_Motorcycles.jpg)
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] 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 of North Korea
References
- Abandoned
- (in Korean) Prohibit the driving on Expressways for Three-wheeled Vehicles and Motorcycles May 23, 1972, Dong-a Ilbo
- (in Korean) Prohibit the driving on Expressways for Three-wheeled Vehicles etc May 24, 1972, Maeil Business Newspaper
- (in Korean) Article 58 the South Korea Road Traffic Law(Revised for December 14, 1991, Enforced from to March 15, 1992)
- (in Korean) Article 63 of the South Korea Road Traffic Law(Revised for May 31, 2005 and April 28, 2006, Enforced from to June 1st 2006)
- (in Korean) Article 63 of the South Korea Road Traffic Law(Revised for June 8, 2011, Enforced from to December 9, 2011)