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Purvanchal Expressway, Uttar Pradesh: Route Details, Location, Length, Toll Fee and FAQ
The Purvanchal Expressway is a 6-lane, access-controlled expressway (expandable to 8 lanes) that links Lucknow with Ghazipur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. It was inaugurated on November 16, 2021, and is maintained by UPEIDA. It cut the Lucknow–Ghazipur journey from about 12 hours to about 5.5 hours. It passes through 9 districts, supports trade and industry in eastern UP, and includes a 3.2 km emergency airstrip that can handle military aircraft. The Gorakhpur Link Expressway now joins it near Azamgarh, extending connectivity toward Gorakhpur
Purvanchal Expressway – Details table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Starting point | Chand Saray village, near Gosainganj, Lucknow district |
| Ending point | Haydaria village, on NH-31 (Mohammadabad–Buxar highway), Ghazipur district |
| Length | About 340.8 km |
| Lanes | 6 (expandable to 8) |
| Districts covered | 9: Lucknow, Barabanki, Amethi, Sultanpur, Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Mau, Ghazipur |
| Inaugurated | November 16, 2021, by PM Narendra Modi |
| Authority | UPEIDA (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority) |
| Design speed | 120 km/h |
| Speed limits | 100 km/h for cars, 80 km/h for trucks and buses |
| Toll plazas | 6 |
| Car toll (full length) | About ₹675 (unchanged in the April 2026 revision) |
| Payment | FASTag (standard); cash accepted at plazas |
| Travel time | About 5.5 hours end to end |
| Emergency airstrip | 3.2 km, near Kurebhar, Sultanpur district |
| Structures | 22 flyovers, 7 railway over bridges, 7 major bridges, 114 minor bridges |
| Prohibited vehicles | Two-wheelers, three-wheelers, non-motorized vehicles (bullock carts, tractors) |
| Helplines | 112 (police), 1800-419-0139 (UPEIDA), Expressway Mitra app |
Key interchanges
- Inhauna–Rudauli Road (SH 31)
- Raebareli–Faizabad Road (SH 15)
- Sultanpur–Faizabad Road (SH 9)
- Sultanpur–Akbarpur Road (NH 232)
Location and route
The Purvanchal Expressway runs from Chand Saray village near Gosainganj in Lucknow district to Haydaria village on the Mohammadabad–Buxar highway (NH-31) in Ghazipur district. It passes through 9 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Barabanki and Amethi. The full list is Lucknow, Barabanki, Amethi, Sultanpur, Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Mau and Ghazipur. Key interchanges include Inhauna–Rudauli Road (SH 31), Raebareli–Faizabad Road (SH 15), Sultanpur–Faizabad Road (SH 9) and Sultanpur–Akbarpur Road (NH 232).
Length and specs
- Length: about 340.8 km, six lanes wide (expandable to 8), access-controlled.
- Opened: November 16, 2021, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi.
- Maintained by: UPEIDA (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority).
- Design speed: 120 km/h, though posted limits apply.
- Emergency airstrip: a 3.2 km strip near Kurebhar in Sultanpur district that can handle military aircraft.
- Travel time: Lucknow to Ghazipur dropped from about 12 hours to about 5.5 hours.
Toll fee
Tolls are distance-based and charged by vehicle class. UP revised expressway tolls from April 1, 2026, but Purvanchal Expressway rates for most vehicles stayed almost the same, with cars staying at ₹675. That is the full-length fare for a car, jeep or van, and one guide reports it as around ₹700 in 2026. Buses, trucks and multi-axle vehicles pay considerably more. Third-party sites give only broad ranges, so check UPEIDA’s official link-wise rate chart for exact figures for your vehicle and entry/exit points.
There are six toll plazas, and FASTag is the standard cashless payment method, with cash still accepted for non-FASTag users at a higher rate.
FAQ
Which vehicles are banned?
Two-wheelers, three-wheelers and non-motorized vehicles such as bullock carts and tractors are prohibited.
What are the speed limits?
100 km/h for cars and 80 km/h for trucks and buses.
Is FASTag mandatory?
In practice, yes. Cash is accepted at the plazas, but FASTag is faster and cheaper.
Who do I call in an emergency?
Dial 112 for police or 1800-419-0139 for UPEIDA, or use the Expressway Mitra app.
Does it connect to other expressways?
Yes, the Gorakhpur Link Expressway joins it near Azamgarh. That extends access to Gorakhpur, and the route also connects toward Ayodhya and Varanasi.
Any driving tips?
Keep to your lane, avoid sudden lane changes, and slow down in fog, rain and at night. Fog is common in winter.
