# Chūō Expressway

The Chūō Expressway (中央自動車道, Chūō Jidōsha-dō, lit. Central Motorway, formerly Chūō Kōsoku-dōro (中央高速道路) until 1972) is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and operated by NEXCO Central.

## Naming

Officially the expressway is designated as the Chūō Expressway Nishinomiya Route (from Takaido Interchange to Komaki Junction), the Chūō Expressway Nagano Route (from Takaido Interchange to Okaya Junction), and the Chūō Expressway Fujiyoshida Route (from Takaido Interchange through Ōtsuki Junction to Kawaguchiko Interchange, this section being a branch of the main route). These designations do not appear on any signage as all sections are signed simply as the Chūō Expressway.

## Overview

The Chūō Expressway is a major roadway connecting the greater Tokyo and Nagoya urban areas, a role also shared by the Tōmei Expressway. While the Tōmei Expressway follows a coastal route, the Chūō Expressway follows an inland route through the mountainous regions of Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Nagano, and Gifu Prefectures, its highest point (1,015 meters above sea level) being at 157.3 km point sandwiched between the Yatsugatake Mountains and Southern Japanese Alps. In addition, a branch of the expressway in Yamanashi Prefecture known as the Kawaguchiko Route facilitates access to Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes area.
The expressway is 4 lanes for its entire length except for the section between Uenohara Interchange and Ōtuski Junction, which is 6 to 7 lanes. This section was originally 4 lanes as well, however increasing traffic volume led to the construction of a new parallel roadway for Uenohara-bound traffic, with the original 4 lanes of roadway being converted for the use of Ōtsuki-bound traffic only.
Tolls on the section from Takaido Interchange to Hachiōji Interchange are charged at a flat rate. As of October 2024, the toll on this section is 1000 yen for a regular passenger car. Tolls on all other sections of the expressway are assessed according to distance travelled in the same manner as most other national expressways. Also, tolls on the section from Sonohara Interchange to Nakatsugawa Interchange are assessed at 1.6 times the normal rate to account for the high cost of constructing the Enasan Tunnel. Vehicles carrying dangerous materials are forbidden from using this tunnel and must use alternate routes.

## History

* December 15, 1967 - Chōfu Interchange - Hachiōji Interchange section opened.
* December 20, 1968 - Hachiōji Interchange - Sagamiko Interchange section opened.
* March 17, 1969 - Sagamiko Interchange - Kawaguchiko Interchange section opened.
* October 5, 1972 - Tajimi Interchange - Komaki Junction section opened, connecting with the Tōmei Expressway.
* September 6, 1973 - Mizunami Interchange - Tajimi Interchange section opened.
* March 5, 1975 - Nakatsugawa Interchange - Mizunami Interchange section opened.
* August 23, 1975 - Komagane Interchange - Nakatsugawa Interchange section opened (Enasan Tunnel opened with 2 lanes of traffic only).
* May 18, 1976 - Takaido Interchange - Chōfu Interchange section opened.
* September 18, 1976 - Ihoku Interchange - Komagane Interchange section opened.
* December 19, 1976 - Nirasaki Interchange - Kobuchisawa Interchange section opened.
* December 20, 1977 - Ōtsuki Junction - Katsunuma Interchange section opened.
* November 16, 1979 - Komaki-higashi Interchange opened.
* March 26, 1980 - Kōfu-Shōwa Interchange - Nirasaki Interchange section opened.
* March 30, 1981 - Kobuchisawa Interchange - Ihoku Interchange section opened.
* November 10, 1982 - Katsunuma Interchange - Kōfu-Shōwa Interchange section opened, completing the entire route.
* November, 1984 - Tsuru Interchange opened.
* March 25, 1986 - Okaya Junction - Okaya Interchange section opened.
* August 28, 1986 - Connection to Higashifuji-goko Road at Kawaguchiko Interchange is completed.
* September 27, 1986 - Nagasaka Interchange opened.
* March 5, 1988 - Okaya Junction - Okaya Interchange section is transferred to the Nagano Expressway.
* September 27, 1989 - Uenohara Interchange opened.
* March 25, 1992 - Sonohara Interchange opened.
* January, 1993 - Renovation of Dangōzaka Service Area completed. The Komaki-bound service area is moved 2 km closer to Tokyo, while the Tokyo-bound service area is moved to the former site of the Komaki-bound service area.
* April 14, 1995 - Inagi Interchange opened.
* March 24, 2002 - Futaba Junction is opened, connecting with the Chūbu-Ōdan Expressway.
* March 16, 2003 - Reconstruction of the Uenohara Interchange - Ōtsuki Junction section is completed (additional lanes added, areas with sharp curves abandoned, Tokyo-bound Dangōzaka Service Area renovated, area near Ōtsuki Junction susceptible to traffic weaving eliminated).
* March 19, 2005 - Toki Junction is opened, connecting with the Tōkai-Kanjō Expressway.
* October 1, 2005 - Expressway management is transferred from Japan Highway Public Corporation to Central Nippon Expressway Company as a result of the privatization of the national expressway network.
* October 1, 2006 - Futaba Smart Interchange opened.
* June 23, 2007 - Hachiōji Junction is opened, connecting with the Ken-Ō Expressway.
* December 2, 2012 - Sasago Tunnel collapses, killing nine people.

## List of interchanges and features

* IC - interchange, SIC - smart interchange, JCT - junction, SA - service area, PA - parking area, BS - bus stop, TN - tunnel, TB - toll gate

### Main Route

| No. | Name | Connections | Dist. from Origin | Bus Stop | Notes | Speed Limit | Location | Location |
| Through to Shuto Expressway Shinjuku Route |||||||||
| 1 | Takaido IC | Met. Route 14 (Shinjuku Kunitachi Route) (Tōhachi Road) | 0.0 | | Tokyo-bound exit only | 60 km/h | Suginami | Tokyo |
| <2> | Chūō JCT | Tokyo Gaikan Expressway | | | Planned | 60 km/h | Mitaka | Tokyo |
| BS | Mitaka Bus Stop | | 4.0 | ○ | | 60 km/h | Mitaka | Tokyo |
| TB | Mitaka Toll Gate | | 4.0 | | Komaki-bound only | 60 km/h | Mitaka | Tokyo |
| TB | Mitaka Toll Gate | | 4.0 | | Komaki-bound only | 80 km/h | Mitaka | Tokyo |
| BS | Jindaiji Bus Stop | | 6.0 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Chōfu | Tokyo |
| 3 | Chōfu IC | National Route 20 (Kōshū Kaidō) | 7.7 | | | 80 km/h | Chōfu | Tokyo |
| 3-1 | Inagi IC | Met. Route 9 (Kawasaki Fuchū Route) | 10.0 | | Komaki-bound exit, Takaido-bound entrance only | 80 km/h | Fuchū | Tokyo |
| 3-1 | Inagi IC | Met. Route 9 (Kawasaki Fuchū Route) | 10.0 | | Komaki-bound exit, Takaido-bound entrance only | 100 km/h | Fuchū | Tokyo |
| BS | Fuchū Bus Stop/ SIC | Met. Route 9 (Kawasaki Fuchū Route) | 11.5 | ○ | SIC: Takaido-bound exit, Komaki-bound entrance only | 100 km/h | Fuchū | Tokyo |
| 4 | Kunitachi-Fuchū IC | National Route 20 (Hino Bypass) | 17.0 | | | 100 km/h | Kunitachi | Tokyo |
| BS | Hino Bus Stop | | 20.0 | ○ | | 100 km/h | Hino | Tokyo |
| PA | Ishikawa PA | | 23.3 23.5 | | Takaido-bound Komaki-bound | 100 km/h | Hachiōji | Tokyo |
| 5-1 | Hachiōji No.1 Exit | National Route 16 (Hachiōji Bypass) | 25.8 | | Komaki-bound only | 100 km/h | Hachiōji | Tokyo |
| 5-2 | Hachiōji No.2 Exit | National Route 16 | 25.8 | | Komaki-bound only | 100 km/h | Hachiōji | Tokyo |
| 5 TB 5 | Hachiōji IC Hachiōji Toll Gate Hachiōji Exit | National Route 16 | 25.8 | | Exit is Takaido-bound only | 100 km/h | Hachiōji | Tokyo |
| BS | Motohachiōji Bus Stop | | 31.0 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Hachiōji | Tokyo |
| - | Motohachiōji IC | Met. Route 61 (Yamada Miyanomae Route) | 33.2 | | open in 2021 | 80 km/h | Hachiōji | Tokyo |
| 6 | Hachiōji JCT | Ken-Ō Expressway | 36.0 | | | 80 km/h | Hachiōji | Tokyo |
| 7 | Sagamiko Higashi Exit | National Route 20 | 42.4 | | Komaki-bound only | 80 km/h | Sagamihara | Kanagawa |
| BS | Sagamiko Bus Stop | | 42.9 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Sagamihara | Kanagawa |
| 8 | Sagamiko IC | National Route 20 | 45.4 | | | 80 km/h | Sagamihara | Kanagawa |
| PA | Fujino PA | | 46.5 | | | 80 km/h | Sagamihara | Kanagawa |
| 9 | Uenohara IC | Pref. Route 35 (Yokkaichiba Uenohara Route) | 50.3 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Uenohara | Yamanashi |
| SA | Dangōzaka SA/ Nodajiri Bus Stop | | 55.6 | | Komaki-bound | 80 km/h | Uenohara | Yamanashi |
| SA | Dangōzaka SA/ Nodajiri Bus Stop | | 57.7 | ○ | Takaido-bound | 80 km/h | Uenohara | Yamanashi |
| BS | Saruhashi Bus Stop | | 65.1 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Ōtsuki | Yamanashi |
| 10 | Ōtsuki IC | National Route 20 | 70.4 | | | 80 km/h | Ōtsuki | Yamanashi |
| 11 | Ōtsuki JCT | Chūō Expressway (Kawaguchiko Route) | 71.4 | | | 80 km/h | Ōtsuki | Yamanashi |
| BS | Magi Bus Stop | | 72.8 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Ōtsuki | Yamanashi |
| PA | Hatsukari PA | | 74.8 | | | 80 km/h | Ōtsuki | Yamanashi |
| BS | Sasago Bus Stop | | 78.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Ōtsuki | Yamanashi |
| BS | Sasago Bus Stop | | 78.7 | ○ | | 70 km/h | Ōtsuki | Yamanashi |
| BS | Kai-Yamato Bus Stop | | 86.4 | ○ | | 70 km/h | Kōshū | Yamanashi |
| 12 | Katsunuma IC | National Route 20 (Katsunuma Bypass) | 90.5 | | | 70 km/h | Kōshū | Yamanashi |
| 12 | Katsunuma IC | National Route 20 (Katsunuma Bypass) | 90.5 | | | 80 km/h | Kōshū | Yamanashi |
| PA | Shakadō PA | | 92.8 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Kōshū | Yamanashi |
| PA | Shakadō PA | | 92.8 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Fuefuki | Yamanashi |
| BS | Kai-Ichinomiya Bus Stop | | 95.2 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Fuefuki | Yamanashi |
| 13 | Ichinomiya-Misaka IC | National Route 137 | 96.6 | | | 80 km/h | Fuefuki | Yamanashi |
| BS | Misaka Bus Stop | | 98.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Fuefuki | Yamanashi |
| 13-1 | Fuefuki-Yatsushiro SIC/ Yatsushiro Bus Stop | Pref. Route 22 (Kōfu Fuefuki Route) Pref. Route 313 (Fujinuta Isawa Route) | 100.6 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Fuefuki | Yamanashi |
| PA | Sakaigawa PA | | 104.2 104.5 | ○ | Takaido-bound Komaki-bound | 80 km/h | Fuefuki | Yamanashi |
| 14 | Kōfu-minami IC | National Route 358 | 106.2 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Kōfu | Yamanashi |
| - | Kōfu Chūō SIC | | 108.5 | | open in 2019 | 80 km/h | Kōfu | Yamanashi |
| BS | Shōwa Bus Stop | | 112.3 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Shōwa | Yamanashi |
| 15 | Kōfu-Shōwa IC | National Route 20 (Kōfu Bypass) | 113.8 | | | 80 km/h | Shōwa | Yamanashi |
| 15-1 | Futaba SA/ SIC/ Futaba-higashi Bus Stop | Pref. Route 6 (Kōfu Nirasaki Route) Pref. Route 25 (Kai Chūō Route) | 118.5 | ○ | SIC: Komaki-bound exit, Takaido-bound entrance only | 80 km/h | Kai | Yamanashi |
| 15-2 | Futaba JCT | Chūbu-Ōdan Expressway | 120.4 | | | 80 km/h | Kai | Yamanashi |
| - | Kai IC/ JCT | National Route 20 (Shin-Yamanashi ring road) (planned) Pref. Route 616 (Shimokamijō Miyakubo Emidō Route) | | | Planned | 80 km/h | Kai | Yamanashi |
| 16 | Nirasaki IC | Pref. Route 27 (Nirasaki Shōsenkyō Route) | 125.0 | | | 80 km/h | Nirasaki | Yamanashi |
| BS | Akeno Bus Stop | | 129.5 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| 17 | Sutama IC | National Route 141 | 132.0 | | | 80 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| 17 | Sutama IC | National Route 141 | 132.0 | | | 70 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| BS | Nagasaka-Takane Bus Stop | | 140.1 | ○ | | 70 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| 17-1 | Nagasaka IC | Pref. Route 32 (Nagasaka Takane Route) | 140.7 | | | 70 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| 17-1 | Nagasaka IC | Pref. Route 32 (Nagasaka Takane Route) | 140.7 | | | 80 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| - | Nagasaka JCT | Chūbu-Ōdan Expressway (Planned) | | | Planned | 80 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| PA | Yatsugatake PA | | 143.1 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Hokuto | Yamanashi |
| 18 | Kobuchisawa IC | Pref. Route 11 (Hokuto Fujimi Route) | 148.9 | | | 80 km/h | Fujimi | Nagano |
| BS | Fujimi Bus Stop | | 157.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Fujimi | Nagano |
| 19 | Suwa-minami IC | Pref. Route 425 (Haraizawa Fujimi Route) Pref. Route 90 (Suwa-minami Inter Route) | 161.5 | | | 80 km/h | Fujimi | Nagano |
| PA | Chūōdō-Hara PA | | 163.8 | ○ | Komaki-bound | 80 km/h | Hara | Nagano |
| PA | Chūōdō-Hara PA | | 164.6 | | Takaido-bound | 80 km/h | Hara | Nagano |
| BS | Chino Bus Stop | | 169.9 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Chino | Nagano |
| 20 | Suwa IC | National Route 20 (Suwa Bypass) | 172.6 | | | 80 km/h | Suwa | Nagano |
| BS | Aruga Bus Stop | | 177.3 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Suwa | Nagano |
| SA | Suwako SA | | 178.5 | | | 80 km/h | Suwa | Nagano |
| SA | Suwako SA | | 178.5 | | | 80 km/h | Okaya | Nagano |
| 21 | Okaya JCT | Nagano Expressway | 182.7 | | From Okaya JCT to Komaki JCT the Chūō Expressway is signed "E19" | 80 km/h | Okaya | Nagano |
| BS | Kawagishi Bus Stop | | 186.0 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Okaya | Nagano |
| PA | Tatsuno PA | | 192.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Tatsuno | Nagano |
| 22 | Ihoku IC | National Route 153 | 196.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Tatsuno | Nagano |
| 22 | Ihoku IC | National Route 153 | 196.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Minowa | Nagano |
| BS | Minowa Bus Stop | | 200.5 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Minowa | Nagano |
| 23 | Ina IC | Pref. Route 476 (Ina Inter Nishiminowa Route) Pref. Route 87 (Ina Inter Route) | 206.2 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Minamiminowa | Nagano |
| 23 | Ina IC | Pref. Route 476 (Ina Inter Nishiminowa Route) Pref. Route 87 (Ina Inter Route) | 206.2 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Ina | Nagano |
| 23-1 | Ogurogawa PA/ SIC | | 209.1 | | | 80 km/h | Ina | Nagano |
| BS | Nishiharuchika Bus Stop | | 212.2 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Ina | Nagano |
| BS | Miyada Bus Stop | | 217.4 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Miyada | Nagano |
| 24 | Komagane IC | Pref. Route 75 (Komagane Komagatake Kōen Route) | 221.4 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Komagane | Nagano |
| 24-1 | Komagatake SA/ SIC | | 224.7 | | | 80 km/h | Komagane | Nagano |
| BS | Iijima Bus Stop | | 228.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Iijima | Nagano |
| 25 | Matsukawa IC | Pref. Route 15 (Iijima Iida Route) Pref. Route 59 (Matsukawa Inter Ōshika Route) | 236.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Matsukawa | Nagano |
| BS | Takamori Bus Stop | | 243.1 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Takamori | Nagano |
| PA | Zakōji PA | | 245.3 | | | 80 km/h | Iida | Nagano |
| BS | Kamiiida Bus Stop | | 248.9 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Iida | Nagano |
| 26 | Iida IC/ Igara Bus Stop | National Route 153 (Iida Bypass) | 252.2 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Iida | Nagano |
| 26-1 | Iida-Yamamoto IC | San-en Nanshin Expressway | 257.4 | | | 80 km/h | Iida | Nagano |
| PA | Achi PA/ Komaba Bus Stop | | 259.8 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Achi | Nagano |
| PA | Achi PA/ Komaba Bus Stop | | 259.8 | ○ | | 70 km/h | Achi | Nagano |
| 26-1 | Sonohara IC | Pref. Route 89 (Sonohara Inter Route) Pref. Route 477 (Fujimidai Kōen Route) | 267.0 | ○ | Takaido-bound exit, Komaki-bound entrance only | 70 km/h | Achi | Nagano |
| TN | Enasan Tunnel | | 271.0 | | Length - 8,649 m, dangerous goods forbidden | 70 km/h | Achi | Nagano |
| TN | Enasan Tunnel | | 271.0 | | Length - 8,649 m, dangerous goods forbidden | 70 km/h | Nakatsugawa | Gifu |
| PA | Misaka PA/ Magome Bus Stop | | 278.9 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Nakatsugawa | Gifu |
| 27 | Nakatsugawa IC | National Route 19 | 288.9 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Nakatsugawa | Gifu |
| SA | Enakyō SA | | 294.4 | | | 80 km/h | Ena | Gifu |
| 28 | Ena IC | Pref. Route 68 (Ena Shirakawa Route) | 298.3 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Ena | Gifu |
| PA | Byōbuzan PA | | 310.2 311.4 | | Takaido-bound Komaki-bound | 80 km/h | Mizunami | Gifu |
| BS | Mizunami-Tentoku Bus Stop | | 314.8 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Mizunami | Gifu |
| 29 | Mizunami IC | Pref. Route 47 (Mizunami Inter Route) | 316.4 | | | 80 km/h | Mizunami | Gifu |
| 30 | Toki IC | National Route 21 | 320.9 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Toki | Gifu |
| 30-1 | Toki JCT | Tōkai-Kanjō Expressway | 323.4 | | | 80 km/h | Toki | Gifu |
| PA | Kokeizan PA | | 327.9 | | Takaido-bound only | 80 km/h | Tajimi | Gifu |
| 31 | Tajimi IC | National Route 248 | 329.7 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Tajimi | Gifu |
| PA | Utsutsutōge PA | | 336.2 | | | 80 km/h | Kasugai | Aichi |
| 32 | Komaki-higashi IC | Pref. Route 49 (Kasugai Inuyama Route) | 337.8 | | | 80 km/h | Komaki | Aichi |
| BS | Tōkadai Bus Stop | | 343.0 | ○ | | 80 km/h | Komaki | Aichi |
| 23 | Komaki JCT | Tōmei Expressway | 344.9 | | | 80 km/h | Komaki | Aichi |
* Changing areas for snow chains
** Achi PA - Sonohara IC
** Hatsukari PA - Katsunuma IC
** Sutama IC - Nagasaka IC (Komaki-bound)
** Yatsugatake PA - Kobuchisawa IC (Two areas Komaki-bound)
** Kobuchisawa IC - Suwa-minami IC
** Okaya JCT - Tatsuno PA

### Kawaguchiko Route

| No. | Name | Connections | Dist. from Takaido IC | Bus Stop | Notes | Location (all in Yamanashi) |
| 11 | Ōtsuki JCT | Chūō Expressway | 71.4 | | | Ōtsuki |
| BS | Ogatayama Bus Stop | | 73.2 | ○ | | Tsuru |
| 1 | Tsuru IC | Pref. Route 705 (Takahatake Yamura Teishajō Route) Pref. Route 40 (Tsuru Inter Route) | 77.6 | ○ | Fujiyoshida-bound exit, Ōtsuki-bound entrance only | Tsuru |
| PA | Yamura PA | | 79.4 79.7 | | Ōtsuki-bound Fujiyoshida-bound | Tsuru |
| BS | Nishikatsura Bus Stop | | 84.7 | ○ | | Nishikatsura |
| BS | Shimoyoshida Bus Stop | | 89.8 | ○ | | Fujiyoshida |
| 1-1 | Fujiyoshida-Nishikatsura SIC | Pref. Route 718 (Fujiyoshida Nishikatsura Route) | 93.9 | | | Fujiyoshida |
| 2 | Kawaguchiko IC | National Route 139 | 93.9 | | Fujiyoshida-bound exit, Ōtsuki-bound entrance only | Fujikawaguchiko |
| Through to Higashifuji-goko Road |||||||
* The speed limit on the Kawaguchiko Route is 80 km/h.
* To prevent confusion with the main route, kilometer markers along the Kawaguchiko Route show the distance from Takaido Interchange plus 300 (the marker at Ōtsuki Junction is 371.4 while the marker at Kawaguchiko Interchange is 393.9)

## In popular culture

The Chūō Expressway features prominently in the song "Chūō Freeway" (中央フリーウェイ) by Yumi Matsutoya, from the 1976 studio album The 14th Moon [ja]. The song describes the scenery along the highway in the vicinity of Fuchū, Tokyo.