The accurate estimation of expressway traffic state can provide decision-making for both travelers and traffic managers. The speed is one of the most representative parameter of the traffic state. So the expressway speed spatial distribution can be taken as the expressway traffic state equivalent. In this paper, an algorithm based on virtual speed sensors (VSS) is presented to estimate the expressway traffic state (the speed spatial distribution). To gain the spatial distribution of expressway traffic state, virtual speed sensors are defined between adjacent traffic flow sensors. Then, the speed data extracted from traffic flow sensors in time series are mapped to space series to design virtual speed sensors. Then the speed of virtual speed sensors can be calculated with the weight matrix which is related with the speed of virtual speed sensors and the speed data extracted from traffic flow sensors and the speed data extracted from traffic flow sensors in time series. Finally, the expressway traffic state (the speed spatial distribution) can be gained. The acquisition of average travel speed of the expressway is taken for application of this traffic state estimation algorithm. One typical expressway in Beijing is adopted for the experiment analysis. The results prove that this traffic state estimation approach based on VSS is feasible and can achieve a high accuracy. The accurate estimation of expressway traffic state can provide decision-making for both travelers and traffic managers. The speed is one of the most representative parameter of the traffic state. this paper, an algorithm based on virtual speed sensors (VSS) is presented to estimate the expressway traffic state (the speed spatial distribution). , the speed data extracted from traffic flow sensors in time series are mapped to space series to design virtual speed sensors. Then the speed of virtual speed sensors can be calculated with the weight matrix which is related with the speed of virtual speed sensors and the speed data extracted from traffic flow sensors and the speed data extracted from traffic flow sensors in time series. Finally, the expr The acquisition of average travel speed of the expressway is taken for application of this traffic state estimation algorithm. One typical expressway in Beijing is adopted for the experiment analysis. The results prove that this traffic state estimation approach based on VSS is feasible and can achieve a high accuracy.