Expressways in South Korea, officially called as National expressways, 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.
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Gangjin–Gwangju Expressway | Gangjin, S. Jeolla | Seo District, Gwangju | 51,1 km | ||
| 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 |
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 |
See main article: Hi-pass. 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.
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.