South Korea maintains 5,228 kilometers of expressways and 105,673 kilometers of national and provincial roads as of 2023. The Expressway Corporation operates toll roads numbered 10 through 88, with route numbers divisible by 10 running north-south and odd multiples of 5 running east-west. Route 1 connects Seoul to Busan, covering 428 kilometers through the eastern corridor. Route 35 spans the southern coast from Tongyeong to Busan. The speed limit on expressways reaches 110 to 120 kilometers per hour depending on segment, with provincial roads typically limited to 80 kilometers per hour and urban areas to 50 or 60 kilometers per hour. South Korea drives on the right side of the road. Traffic signs follow the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals with Korean text and occasionally English translations on major routes.
Foreign nationals holding valid licenses from countries party to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic may drive for one year after entry using an International Driving Permit alongside their original license. The Korean National Police Agency maintains a list of 28 countries whose licenses can be converted to Korean licenses without examination, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Japan. Applicants from non-reciprocal countries must pass written and practical tests at designated Driver's License Examination Offices operated by the Korean Driver's License Agency. Rental agencies require drivers to be at least 21 years old with one year of driving experience, though some companies set the minimum at 26 for certain vehicle classes. GPS units in rental vehicles typically offer English language navigation, and standalone devices can be rented for approximately 5,000 to 10,000 won per day.
The Seoul-Busan corridor represents the highest traffic volume route in South Korea. The Gyeongbu Expressway runs 416 kilometers between Seoul and Busan, constructed between 1968 and 1970 under President Park Chung-hee. This expressway passes through Suwon, Daejeon, Daegu, and connects to Route 1, which follows a more eastern alignment through Gyeongju. The Second Gyeongbu Expressway, completed in 2001, runs parallel to alleviate congestion. Tolls on the Gyeongbu Expressway reach approximately 32,000 won for passenger vehicles traveling the full length. The journey takes four to five hours without stops. Service areas appear every 25 to 50 kilometers along expressways, operated by companies including Shinsegae, Lotte, and Nonghyup. These facilities provide fuel, food courts, convenience stores, restrooms, and parking 24 hours daily. Notable service areas include Anseong, which features a large outdoor garden and regional food vendors, and Mungyeong, known for its apple products.
The western coastal route from Seoul to Mokpo spans approximately 400 kilometers via the Seohaean Expressway, completed in sections between 1990 and 2001. This route passes Dangjin, Seosan, and Boryeong before reaching Gwangju and terminating in Mokpo on the southwestern tip. The drive typically requires five to six hours. Detours to Taean Peninsula provide access to beaches including Mongsanpo and Mallipo, popular in summer months from July through August. The Saemangeum Seawall, completed in 2010 at 33.9 kilometers, stands as the world's longest man-made sea dike, located between Gunsan and Buan. Drivers can cross this structure on Provincial Road 799, though no services exist on the seawall itself.
The eastern corridor from Seoul to Sokcho follows Route 50, the Joongang Expressway, north to Chuncheon, then continues on Route 60, the Donghae Expressway, which hugs the East Sea coastline. The total distance reaches approximately 220 kilometers and requires three to four hours. This route provides access to Seoraksan National Park at Sokcho, where the Gwongeumseong Fortress remains accessible via cable car from the Sogongwon entrance. The drive through the Taebaek Mountains offers elevation changes reaching 700 meters at mountain passes. Provincial Road 44, which runs parallel to the coast from Sokcho south to Donghae, passes Naksan Beach, Gyeongpo Beach near Gangneung, and Jeongdongjin, which holds the Guinness World Record for the closest train station to the sea at 0.66 meters from the waterline. Sunrise viewing attracts visitors to Jeongdongjin particularly on January 1.
Jeju Island contains 1,145 kilometers of paved roads including the 182-kilometer Hwasun Seaside Road that circles the island perimeter. The cross-island Route 1135 passes through Hallasan National Park, though the road closes at elevations above 1,100 meters near the summit. The circumnavigation drive requires approximately four to five hours without stops but most visitors allocate two to three days to cover major sites. Seongsan Ilchulbong, a tuff cone rising 182 meters above sea level, sits on the eastern coast near Seongsan township. The Manjanggul Lava Tube, extending 7,416 meters with one kilometer open to visitors, lies on the northeastern section near Gimnyeong. The southwestern coast features the Jusangjeolli Cliffs near Jungmun, where columnar basalt formations extend along 2 kilometers of shoreline. Car ferries operate from Wando to Jeju with five-hour crossing times and from Busan to Jeju with twelve-hour overnight crossings, though 90 percent of visitors arrive via air. Vehicle rental on Jeju costs approximately 40,000 to 80,000 won daily for compact vehicles during off-peak periods.
The Namhae and Tongyeong coastal area in South Gyeongsang Province connects to the mainland via the Namhae Bridge, completed in 1973 at 660 meters in length. Route 77 crosses this suspension bridge with pedestrian walkways offering views of the Korea Strait. The German Village in Namhae commemorates Korean miners and nurses who worked in Germany between 1963 and 1977 under a bilateral agreement, with approximately 8,000 Koreans settling in Germany permanently. Provincial Road 1018 circles Namhae Island over 85 kilometers. The Tongyeong area requires ferry access to islands including Yokjido and Bijindo. The Hallyeo Waterway, designated as Hallyeohaesang National Park, encompasses 535 square kilometers of marine and coastal area across 71 islands. Admiral Yi Sun-sin commanded naval forces from Hansan Island during the Imjin War from 1592 to 1598, achieving victory in the Battle of Hansan Island in 1592 with turtle ships.
The Andong and Gyeongju circuit in North Gyeongsang Province covers historical sites within a 200-kilometer loop from Daegu. Andong Hahoe Folk Village, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, contains traditional yangban houses along the Nakdong River. The village follows the pungsu-jiri principles of geomancy with the river forming an S-curve around the settlement. Mask dance dramas called Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori have been performed here since the Goryeo Dynasty. The drive from Andong to Gyeongju via Route 5 and Route 35 requires approximately two hours. Gyeongju served as the capital of the Silla Kingdom from 57 BCE to 935 CE. Bulguksa Temple, constructed in 751, contains stone pagodas Dabotap and Seokgatap dating to the 8th century. Seokguram Grotto, completed in 774, houses a granite Buddha statue 3.5 meters in height. The Gyeongju Historic Areas UNESCO designation includes the Tumuli Park containing 23 royal tombs of Silla monarchs, with Cheonmachong tomb excavated in 1973 yielding 11,526 artifacts.
The Demilitarized Zone remains inaccessible for recreational driving as it constitutes a military restricted area extending 4 kilometers on either side of the Military Demarcation Line. Civilian access requires military escort and advance approval through authorized tour operators. The Joint Security Area at Panmunjom allows supervised visits arranged through the United Nations Command or authorized South Korean tour companies. Provincial Road 56 runs parallel to the southern boundary of the DMZ through Paju and Yeoncheon but does not enter the zone itself. The Third Infiltration Tunnel, discovered in 1978, can be visited via the Odusan Unification Observatory area near Paju, though this requires joining a structured tour. The Dorasan Observatory, accessible via the Gyeongui Line, provides views into North Korean territory from an elevation of 155 meters above sea level.
Winter driving in South Korea requires tire chains or snow tires between November and March in mountainous regions. The Daegwallyeong Pass on Route 6 between Gangneung and Seoul reaches 832 meters elevation and receives heavy snowfall averaging 250 centimeters annually. This pass closes temporarily during severe weather. Tire chain rental is available at service areas near mountain passes for approximately 20,000 won per set. The Korea Meteorological Administration issues road condition warnings through its mobile application and website in Korean and English. Black ice forms frequently on bridges and shaded sections of mountain roads between December and February when overnight temperatures drop below minus 5 degrees Celsius.
Fuel stations in South Korea display prices per liter, with gasoline averaging 1,700 to 1,900 won per liter and diesel averaging 1,500 to 1,700 won per liter as of 2024. Most stations operate as full-service, with attendants pumping fuel, though self-service stations offer discounts of 50 to 100 won per liter. Credit cards with foreign magnetic stripes function at most stations, though some automated self-service pumps require Korean-issued cards with chip technology. The Korea National Oil Corporation operates the Opinet mobile application showing real-time fuel prices at stations nationwide. Alternative fuel vehicles can refuel at 440 CNG stations and approximately 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations as of 2023, concentrated in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju.
Parking in urban areas costs 2,000 to 5,000 won per hour in commercial districts. Seoul operates a public parking system with rates set by district, ranging from 1,000 won for the first 15 minutes to 8,000 won for five hours in Gangnam and Jung districts. Parking apps including Kakao Navi and T Map show real-time availability at registered lots. Blue zones indicate paid parking on streets with enforcement from 8 AM to 8 PM weekdays. Red and yellow curb markings prohibit parking at all times. Handicapped parking requires a valid disabled parking permit displayed on the dashboard. Illegal parking fines range from 40,000 to 80,000 won depending on location and violation type.
Traffic enforcement in South Korea employs fixed and mobile speed cameras on expressways and national roads. Speed cameras appear every 5 to 15 kilometers on major expressways, marked with advance warning signs showing a camera icon 500 meters prior. Fines for speeding range from 60,000 won for exceeding limits by 20 kilometers per hour to 130,000 won for 40 kilometers per hour over the limit. Automated cameras also monitor bus lanes, designated between 7 AM and 9 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM on major urban arterials. Bus lane violations incur fines of 60,000 won. Traffic signal enforcement cameras operate at major intersections in cities, issuing fines of 60,000 won for red light violations. Fines must be paid within 30 days to avoid late penalties of 20 percent.
The Jirisan Mountain circuit requires four-wheel drive vehicles for certain unpaved forest roads, though paved Route 19 crosses the mountain range between Gurye and Hamyang. Jirisan National Park, established in 1967 as South Korea's first national park, covers 471 square kilometers across three provinces. The mountain reaches 1,915 meters at Cheonwangbong Peak. Route 19 crosses at 1,172 meters elevation through the Nogodan Pass, typically closed from November through March due to snow. The Piagol Valley on the western slope displays autumn foliage between mid-October and early November, with parking areas at the valley entrance accommodating 200 vehicles. The Ssanggyesa Temple, founded in 722, sits at the southern entrance near Hadong.
The Boseong Green Tea Plantations in South Jeolla Province lie 340 kilometers south of Seoul via Route 10 and Route 2. The Daehan Dawon Plantation, established in 1957, cultivates tea across 150 hectares on hillside terraces. Visitors can walk through the plantation rows, which create geometric patterns visible from elevated viewpoints. The plantation road extends 2.5 kilometers with parking at the entrance. Peak green tea harvesting occurs between late April and May. The nearby Yulpo Beach sits 7 kilometers south via Provincial Road 852.
Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2006, encompasses 28 square kilometers of tidal flats and reed beds. The wetland supports 140 bird species including the endangered hooded crane, with peak populations of 2,000 cranes wintering from November through February. An elevated wooden walkway extends 1.2 kilometers from the parking area through the reed beds to an observation deck. The reserve charges 8,000 won admission for adults. Route 2 connects Suncheon to the wetland entrance via a 15-kilometer drive. The Suncheon Bay National Garden, adjacent to the wetland, opened in 2013 following the Suncheon Bay International Garden Exposition, covering 1.12 square kilometers.
The Upo Wetland in Changnyeong, Gyeongsang Province, constitutes the largest inland wetland in South Korea at 8.54 square kilometers. The wetland contains four connected marsh areas: Upo, Mokpo, Sajipo, and Jjokjibeol. Provincial Road 1089 provides access from Route 5, located 30 kilometers from Changnyeong town center. A 4-kilometer wooden walkway circles the Upo section with observation platforms at 500-meter intervals. The wetland hosts 342 plant species, 62 fish species, and 248 bird species. Lotus flowers bloom across the marsh surface during July and August. Entry costs 2,000 won for adults.
The Odaesan Mountain area in Gangwon Province contains Route 6, which passes through the national park between Gangneung and Wonju. Odaesan National Park, established in 1975, covers 326 square kilometers with elevation reaching 1,563 meters at Birobong Peak. The Woljeongsa Temple, founded in 643 during the Silla period, sits at 700 meters elevation along Route 6. A fir tree forest lines the 1-kilometer approach road to the temple, with trees averaging 30 meters in height and ages exceeding 80 years. The temple houses a nine-story octagonal pagoda constructed in 1348 during the Goryeo Dynasty. Route 6 continues through the Jinbu Pass at 1,000 meters before descending to Wonju.
Provincial Road 77 connects Jeonju to Namwon over 60 kilometers through North Jeolla Province. Jeonju Hanok Village contains 735 traditional hanok structures within a 0.6-square-kilometer area in the city center. The village features the Gyeonggijeon Shrine, built in 1410 to house a portrait of Yi Seong-gye, founder of the Joseon Dynasty. Jeonju bibimbap originated in this region, incorporating thirty side dish ingredients including ginkgo nuts, pine nuts, and locally produced bean sprouts. The drive from Jeonju to Namwon takes approximately 50 minutes via Route 17. Namwon is associated with the pansori epic "Chunhyangga," which narrates the story of Chunhyang and her lover Yi Mong-yong. The Gwanghalluwon Garden in Namwon, originally constructed during the Joseon Dynasty, covers 6.3 hectares with a pavilion on an artificial island representing Chinese cosmology.
The East Coast Road from Busan to Sokcho extends 450 kilometers via Route 7, which follows the coastline with views of the East Sea. This route passes through Ulsan, Pohang, Gyeongju, Gangneung, and Yangyang. The journey requires approximately seven to eight hours of continuous driving. Haeundae Beach in Busan stretches 1.5 kilometers with sand depths reaching 3 meters. The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple near Haeundae sits on coastal cliffs, constructed in 1376 during the Goryeo Dynasty. Route 7 continues north through Ulsan, where the Daewangam Park provides coastal walking trails over 2 kilometers. Pohang Jukdo Market, operating since 1962, specializes in raw fish and blue crabs harvested from nearby waters.