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

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 Capital Region First 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
FormerCurrentEnglishKorean
11Gyeongbu경부선SeoulBusan8 April 1969
2120Gyeongin경인선SeoulIncheon2 September 1967
325, 251Honam호남선DaejeonSuncheon21 April 1970
3-2253Gwangju Bypass광주외곽선JangseongDamyang27 August 1997
450Yeongdong영동선YonginGangneung31 August 1971
565Donghae동해선SokchoDonghae23 August 1973
610, 102Namhae남해선BusanSuncheon8 December 1971
6-2104Namhae 2nd Branch남해제2지선BusanGimhae22 June 1978
6-310Masan Bypass마산외곽선ChangwonHaman27 August 1997
745, 451Guma구마선DaeguMasan19 March 1976
816Ulsan울산선UljuUlsan22 June 1978
91288 Olympic88올림픽선DalseongDamyang22 June 1978
1035Jungbu중부선HanamCheongwon29 May 1985
10-2372nd Jungbu제2중부선HanamIcheon27 August 1997
1115, 50, 110Seohaean서해안선IncheonMuan25 July 1991
1250Singal–Ansan신갈~안산선YonginAnsan14 July 1988
13300Daejeon Southern Ring대전남부순환선DaejeonDaejeon14 July 1988
1455Jungang중앙선DaeguChuncheon20 October 1989
151102nd Gyeongin제2경인선AnyangIncheon25 July 1991
1615Seoul–Ansan서울~안산선SeoulAnsan29 April 1992
1735Daejeon–Tongyeong대전~통영선DaejeonTongyeong29 April 1992
1845Jungbu Naeryuk중부내륙선YeojuDalseong29 April 1992
1955Busan–Daegu부산~대구선BusanDaegu29 April 1992
19-2551Branch of Busan–Daegu부산~대구선 지선GimhaeYangsan29 April 1992
20130Incheon International Airport인천국제공항선GoyangIncheon27 September 1993
2125Cheonan–Nonsan천안~논산선CheonanNonsan1 July 1996
2230Daejeon–Dangjin대전~당진선DaejeonDangjin1 July 1996
2330Cheongju–Sangju청주~상주선CheongwonSangju1 July 1996
2440Pyeongtaek–Eumseong평택~음성선PyeongtaekEumseong27 August 1997
25151Gongju–Seocheon공주~서천선GongjuSeocheon27 August 1997
2620Iksan–Jangsu익산~장수선IksanJangsu27 August 1997
2722,[1] 20Gimcheon–Pohang김천~포항선GimcheonPohang27 August 1997
27-220Branch of Gimcheon–Pohang김천~포항선 지선DaeguYeongcheon27 August 1997
101100Seoul Ring서울외곽순환선SeongnamSeongnam14 January 1988

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] These roads are marked by a circular blue sign with a white silhouette of a car.

See also

References
  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 Law(Revised for December 14, 1991, Enforced from to March 15, 1992)
  5. (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)
  6. (in Korean) Article 63 of the South Korea Road Traffic Law(Revised for June 8, 2011, Enforced from to December 9, 2011)
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