5000km-long new expressways added in 2018 // total length nears TWO times of American Interstates

[AndrewJin]

What is the different between national and provincial highways? Different rates?

No difference to be exact.
Every expressway is integrated into one system.
You can drive between any point in this network without existing the system.

The only exception will be those isolated ones, for example Lhasa-Ningzhi.
But when the entire Beijing-Tibet expressway opens, that won't be an issue.


Network around Zhengzhou in Central China,
You can see those with S (province) and G (national) in one network.

I haven't find one single Chinese map that can show both levels at the same time, maybe the density issue.
The map we uploaded is only about the national-level expressways.

7918 Network (also known as the National Trunk Highway System (NTHS)), uses one, two or four digits in the G-series numbering system, leaving three-figured G roads as the China National Highways.

The new 7918 Network is composed of

• 7 radial expressways leaving Beijing (G1-G7)
• 9 vertical expressways going north to south (double digit G roads with numbers ending in an odd numeral)
• 18 horizontal expressways head west to east (double digit G roads with numbers ending in an even numeral)

Provincial expressways (regional expressways)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Regional_Expressways_of_China




Some examples you can see the national system and provincial system are inseparable.
In many cases you can see one section can labeled as both.


One national intersects with a provincial one.
S31 & G3.
But S31 in different provinces will of course mean a different expressway.

S32 & G9511, Hebei Province

Two provincial ones, S82 & S55, Guizhou Province

 

[AndrewJin]

What's your favorite Expressway in China anyway, Andrew?

It's hard to choose a favourite one.
For all the expressways I have experienced, either driving or taking a long-distance coach,
Ya'an-Xichang section of G5 is one of the best.

Other favourite expressways such as:



G60 Shanghai-Kunming in Guizhou Province

A couple of months ago I traveled to Hunan Province, only a couple of hours from where I live.
Aizhai bridge, part of G65 expressway.

http://www.highestbridges.com/wiki/index.php?title=Aizhai_Bridge

There is a new tourist industry around this bridge.....
I slept in the village beneath the bridge for 2 nights, lots of scenic sights in that region.




For those I have not been to, I am really keen to drive on expressways in Tibet and Xinjiang's Tianshan Mountains.

Tianshan Mountains section of G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway

My biggest concern on expressways is about the region where I live.
Wuhan region has one of the lowest density of expressways compared to other big cities such as Chengdu-Chongqing cluster, Zhengzhou, Nanjing-Shanghai.
Until now we don't have direct connection to a couple of satellite cities.....
Very disappointing

 

[jhungary]

Ok, whatever you like to include as the expressways (German autobahn style) we normally compare.

Maybe this can be an Autobahn-style controlled-access expressway to US, who knows...
View attachment 519382
View attachment 519383


Though all serious ranks will only include real ones.
And China will not include similar Chinese province/national highways which are similar to America's non-Interstate highways.

The rank which totals American expressways as 100k rather than Interstate's 70+k, has already added non-Interstate German-style autobahns, for example those non-Interstate freeways in California (compare the following maps). But MOST American national highways are not in conformity of the global standards to be included in this proper ranking.

100k vs Interstate (70k)
View attachment 519397 View attachment 519398

If you look at the picture, that IS the definition of "Access Controlled" Highway. You can clearly see it have uninterrupted flow with overbridge and no access to driveway.

And also, as I explained before, US does not use a dedicated "Highway Coding System" as much in British Commonwealth Country. Which basically divided the different roadway according to speed.

Also, Interstate and Autobahn are two different system. While Interstate is only one of the Federal Highway system that are "Access Controlled", the other being expressway, turnpike, parkway and limited control highway.

That's why the "Comparison" you are making does not actually exist, because China may define their freeway as such, and US have its own highway code, how do you distinguish a Chinese Freeway and the US Road in your picture? It's identical, but in names, you may call that "Freeway" in China, people call that route 22 in the US.

If you still don't get it, there are no definition of "Freeway" in America, because there are no such thing as "Autobahn style Freeway" in America, and there are no "Global Standard" of freeway, each country call their Access Network with their own name and definition. In the US, according to Federal Highway Management Agency, over 78% of US routes are Access controlled.

 

[AndrewJin]

How about Xian-Chengdu Expressway?

You mean G5 Beijing-Kunming?
Xi'an-Chengdu is one section of G5.

G5 has two famous sections, one is Ya'an-Xichang expressway, the other is the one via Qinglin Mountains.

Ya'an-Xichang section in Sichuan Province
The famous double-helix design!
From 2:00

Qinling Mountains section

 

[TaiShang]

For those I have not been to, I am really keen to drive on expressways in Tibet and Xinjiang's Tianshan Mountains.

How about Inner Mongolia? Have been to (driving or riding)? The province has one of the world's longest desert highway?

The Linhe-Baigeda Highway, linking Bayannur League to Alxa League, stretches 930 kilometers, crossing the Badain Jaran Desert (China's third largest desert) and the Gobi Desert, and passes through sparse, harsh landscapes. [Photo/CCTV]