Shuto Expressway is a network of toll expressways in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan.
It is operated and maintained by the Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited
Most routes are grade-separated (elevated roads or tunnels) and central routes
have many sharp curves and multi-lane merges that require caution to drive safely.
The speed limit is 60 km/h on most routes, but 80 km/h on the Bayshore Route,
and 50 km/h on the Inner Circular Route.
All trips on the expressway require a toll be paid.
As of 2014, the cash toll for a standard-size car is ¥1300 regardless of distance traveled.
Vehicles using the ETC toll-collection system pay a distance-based toll
ranging from ¥300 to ¥1300 for ordinary vehicles (see toll price)
- in some cases substantially less than the previous fixed-rate toll.
Lower cash rates exist for certain radial routes
(where there are only a few kilometers of expressway remaining) and ETC users
have various time-of-day discounts. For large vehicles, the toll is doubled.