Opinet and Kakao Maps offer fuel price comparisons; highway tolls waived nationwide; fuel prices cut 100 won per liter at state-run expressway stations; public EV charging discounted 50%

A gas station at Mannam-ui Gwangjang rest area in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]
A gas station at Mannam-ui Gwangjang rest area in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Yonhap]

Drivers heading home and back for this year's Chuseok holiday have more money-saving options than ever. Beyond the waiver of highway tolls, discounts on fuel prices and electric vehicle charging fees are among the standout benefits.

Drivers can compare gasoline and other fuel prices through Opinet, the Korea National Oil Corporation's oil price information service, according to the corporation.

Opinet lets users search for gas stations by region, route and road, making it easy to check prices near home or along a planned travel route.

The smartphone app goes further, using the user's current location to show nearby low-cost stations in real time. A driver leaving Seoul, for example, can compare stations in their home district with those along the expressway they plan to take before deciding where to fill up.

However, driving out of the way to reach a cheaper station can eat into the savings. Filling 40 liters at a station that is 50 won cheaper per liter saves only 2,000 won. Assuming fuel efficiency of 10 kilometers per liter and a fuel price of 1,700 won per liter, driving an extra 10 kilometers costs 1,700 won in fuel alone — leaving a net saving of just 300 won. Factoring in tolls and travel time, it pays to choose a station that does not stray far from the planned route.

Opinet prices may not reflect the latest changes depending on how they are displayed, so drivers should double-check the posted price at the pump before filling up. Those using fuel-discount credit cards should also verify last month's spending record, the monthly discount cap and which stations are eligible before counting on the benefit.

The government is also waiving tolls on all expressways nationwide, including privately operated ones, from midnight Thursday through midnight Sunday. At 226 state-funded expressway service stations managed by the Korea Expressway Corporation, gasoline and diesel will be sold at 100 won per liter below each station's Sept. 17 price during the same period.

Electric vehicle charging fees will also be discounted. From Thursday through Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, the charging rate at about 18,000 public chargers operated by the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy and Korea Electric Power Corporation will be cut to half the normal rate.

Information on free public parking lots is available through Kakao Maps, which will list "Chuseok free parking" and "holiday free parking" locations from Tuesday through Sunday.

Indoor maps will be available at major agricultural and fishery markets, including Garak Mall and Gyeongdong Market. Users can also access friend location sharing, high-precision ferry, bus and subway information, departure time settings and road CCTV feeds.


oskymoon@heraldcorp.com