Are all roads in Germany free?
Are all expressways in Germany, considered to be part of the "Autoban"?
Is the speed limit on the German Autoban (130 KM per hour) 78 mph, like other "highways" or is the speed limit higher on the Autoban?
Thank you, Linda
I believe there is a toll tunnel near Hamburg. But that's it for the entire country.
Not all expressways are part of the Autobahn network. This symbol indicates that the road has an "A" classification (meaning, "Autobahn"). The signage is always in blue. Any road with signage in yellow is a "B" classification. Even if the road looks like a part of the Autobahn, it isn't if you see yellow road signs.
"Is the speed limit on the German Autoban (130 KM per hour) 78 mph, like other "highways" or is the speed limit higher on the Autoban?" If not indicated otherwise, there is no speed limit. Despite popular perception, there is a speed limit on a large portion of the network. The actual speed limit varies, but if there is one, it is always posted on a sign like this. If you see no sign, there's no speed limit.
The speed limit on rural roads is usually 100 km/hr.
All roads in Germany are free for cars with the exception of a few bridges and tunnels. Commercial vehicles pay tolls
'expressways' is a US-English word, so there are no roads in Germany actually called 'expressways'.
In Germany there are 'Autobahn' and 'Bundestrasse' (Federal roads). Autobahnen are for motor vehicles only, and have no traffic lights, cross roads etc. They are equivalent to the Motorways, Autoroutes, Autostrada etc. in other European countries and use the standard motorway sign used in all European countries, (click here). Road signs on Autobahns are blue.
Speed limits on Autobahn vary, some are unlimited, others are 130 Km/Hr or less. I don't know what you mean by "like other "highways"", again "highway" is not a German word and in English "highway" can mean any road.
Speed limits are shown on signs like this when you enter Germany; 50 Km/Hr in towns, 100 Km/Hr outside towns and 130 Km/Hr recommended on Autobahns, in all cases unless marked otherwise.
Bundestrasse can vary from a high speed rural dual carriageway to an urban road. Signs for Bundestrasse are coloured yellow.
Below that all there are unclassified roads (no road numbers on signs).
Not being the driver, I thought that some sections of the the autobahn were controlled by electronic sign that dynamically adjusted speed limits based on conditions. I don't know if the variable speed limits were advisory or mandatory.
If the speed posted is within a red circle (no matter if it's an electronic sign or a permanent metal one), it is the maximum speed you have to adhere too or risk a ticket. 130 km/hr as a recommended speed only applies on the Autobahn if there is no other speed sign.
What I've never worked out are the big gantries over the entire width of an autobahn, often in uncontrolled areas like the Eiffel or on the A5 towards Switzerland south of Mannheim which look like an array of cameras. If the speed is uncontrolled in those areas what are all the cameras doing there? When I see a gantry I always make sure I am under 130 even though I am being passed by rocketships.
Since I'll be back on those roads in a couple of months I wouldn't mind being informed.
I'm hitchhiking here because it directly relates to the OP,
The gantries you see are for trucks that do pay tolls on the autobahns. Cars will pay tolls on the Autobahn beginning in 2016.
m.feodorow, many German Autobahnen DO have speed limits, 130 Kph, 120 Kph or lower. It is only some Autobahnen which have no speed limit.
I rode buses for several days on the Romantic Road. If I remember, it's a gentle winding road (the kind of road BMWs were made to drive on). The speed limit was 80 km/h (about 50 mph). In many places it was 55 km/h (34 mph). But very often I saw a long line of cars backed up behind a lorry.
Even where no speed limit exists, driving very fast is risky. Even with a no fault accident, it can be costly. Who clearly overstepping the Autobahn recommended speed of 130 km/h reduce the leeway to avoid an accident almost to zero. Some drivers have been sentenced to a liability of 40 percent. The question is whether this is paid from the insurance or is it gross negligence
Be careful, especially if you have no experience driving on the "Autobahn"
Tom Hanks on German Autobahn from 0:50 min
