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UP Expressway, Uttar Pradesh: Route Details, Location, Length, Speed Limit, Toll Fee and FAQ
UP expressways are mostly built and managed by UPEIDA (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority). The Yamuna Expressway is run by YEIDA. The Ganga Expressway is the newest major one: the 594-km access-controlled greenfield expressway was inaugurated by PM Modi in Hardoi district on 29 April 2026. The Awadh Expressway (Lucknow–Kanpur) was inaugurated on 13 July 2026.
Route details, location and length
| Expressway | Route | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganga | Meerut to Prayagraj, through 12 districts | 594 km (Phase 1) | Phase 1 opened 29 April 2026 |
| Yamuna | Greater Noida to Agra, via Jewar and Mathura | 165.5 km | Operational |
| Agra–Lucknow | Agra to Lucknow, via Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur and Unnao | 302.22 km | Inaugurated 21 November 2016 |
| Purvanchal | Chand Saray (Lucknow) to Haydaria, Ghazipur, through 9 districts | 340.8 km | Open since 16 November 2021 |
| Bundelkhand | Chitrakoot to Etawah, through 7 districts | 296.07 km | Operational |
| Gorakhpur Link | Connects Gorakhpur to Purvanchal | 91.352 km | Inaugurated June 2025 |
| Delhi–Meerut | Delhi (Nizamuddin) to Meerut, via Ghaziabad | 96 km | Open since 1 April 2021 |
| Awadh | Lucknow to Kanpur | 62.76 km | Inaugurated 13 July 2026 |
The Ganga Expressway’s route runs through Meerut, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Amroha, Sambhal, Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Unnao, Raebareli, Pratapgarh and Prayagraj. Its Wikipedia entry gives a total of 1,049 km including planned Phase 2 extensions.
Connections between expressways matter for long trips. The Ganga Expressway meets the Agra–Lucknow Expressway at Kursath. Delhi to Ghazipur can be driven mostly on expressways via Yamuna, Agra–Lucknow and Purvanchal.
Speed limit
- Design speed: The Ganga Expressway is a six-lane, access-controlled highway with a design speed of up to 120 km/h. The Agra–Lucknow Expressway has the same design speed of up to 120 km/h, and so does the Purvanchal Expressway.
- Yamuna Expressway: One source says 100–120 km/h varying by section.
- Limits change. UP has considered a night-time speed cut on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway, and an older report mentions a Yamuna limit of 75 km/h for cars. I couldn’t confirm what applies today, so follow the posted signs. Speed cameras issue e-challans.
Toll fee
Rates are per vehicle class, and these are for cars.
| Expressway | Car toll | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ganga | About ₹2.55/km, around ₹1,515 for the full route | Reported rates, not formally confirmed in sources I found. The ₹3,075 NHAI annual FASTag pass is not valid here; return and monthly passes are offered instead |
| Yamuna | Per YEIDA’s table: ₹120 to Jewar, ₹155 for the Mathura section, ₹140 for the Agra section | Another source says about ₹440 Greater Noida–Agra. A 3.5% hike proposal was pending in May 2026 |
| Agra–Lucknow | About ₹2.10/km, ₹635 for the full route | 2025 figure |
| Purvanchal | About ₹2.15/km, ₹675 Lucknow–Ghazipur | 2025 figure; one source mentions a 25% discount |
Toll rates are revised annually and some figures above are from 2025, so check the official UPEIDA or YEIDA site, or an app like FASTag, before travelling. FASTag is mandatory on the Yamuna Expressway, and without it you pay double. UPEIDA’s helpline is 14449, per one source.
FAQ
Which is the longest expressway in UP?
The Ganga Expressway, at 594 km for Phase 1, is the longest expressway in Uttar Pradesh.
How long does Meerut to Prayagraj take on the Ganga Expressway?
It cuts the journey from roughly 10–12 hours to about 6 hours.
Are two-wheelers allowed?
I couldn’t confirm for every expressway. Rules differ, so check the specific expressway’s notice before riding.
Can I use my annual FASTag pass?
Not on the Ganga Expressway, per the source above. The pass applies only to national highways and centrally run expressways.
Do these expressways have emergency airstrips?
Yes. The Ganga Expressway has a 3.5 km emergency landing facility. The Purvanchal, Agra–Lucknow and Yamuna expressways have similar airstrips.
Is it safe?
Fog and heavy rain affect these roads, particularly the Agra–Lucknow in winter. Keep to the limit, use lane discipline and take breaks on long stretches.
