The German Autobahn

Hello everybody !

Today we are going to speak about something that is typically German. If you ask someone what he or she thinks when hearing the word ,,Germany”, most of the answers are : Beer, cars, accuracy and the Autobahn (okay if we are honest “Hitler” is also listed). Sometimes we Germans ask ourselves why the autobahn is so special for every foreigner and why everybody connects Germany with this word. When looking at some international facts regarding the speed limits in Germany, the answer is very simple: The possibility to drive as fast as you can is given.

No speed limit

In no other country worldwide it's possible to drive as fast as you want and this fact makes the German Autobahn so special. Before I am going to speak about the largest areas with no speed limit, I want to say something about the history and the appearance of the Autobahn.

The first time people started to think about the creation of the Autobahn was in the late1920s. It was a bad timing to build the first Autobahn, because Germany was in a commercial crisis and that is why a lack of political support existed. Nevertheless, the first Autobahn was opened in 1932 between Cologne and Bonn and is called “Bundesautobahn 555” today. Only one year later an extraordinary autobahn construction project was started.

The reason for this project was the Nazi takeover in 1933. It’s often said that Hitler built the Autobahn to transport his troops and his tanks to borders but that’s a misconception. All troops and tanks were transported by train to save fuel, but let's return to our topic. When the war was ended in 1945 many parts of the Autobahn were destroyed or damaged. After 5-10 years the West German government restarted the construction program and repaired the damaged parts of the Autobahn and built completely new Autobahns.

After the history and appearance of the German Autobahn, let’s look at some more important facts, the best unlimited top speed tracks. I found 5 tracks which are scattered over Germany. In the 5th place is the A 70 from Bayreuth to Schweinfurt with a length of 120km. Despite the long track, the A 70 is only in place 5 because there are only 2 lanes and the asphalt isn’t very well. Place 4 goes to the A92 between Munich and Deckendorf. Over 125km and 2 lanes and no speed limit. You will ask yourselves why the A92 is better than the A70? On the A92 you are able to see more of the street, so you are able to be alert to potential dangers. Bronze goes to the A9 which connects Leipzig and Berlin. You can drive over 120km on 3 lanes as fast as your car goes. Let’s look at the second place and to a short track. There is very low traffic on this track although there are 3 lanes. It's the A4 between Chemnitz and Dresden about only 40km. Only on our first place is almost no traffic and so there are over 330km/h possible. It's the A9 from Marktschorgast till Berg about 35km over 3 lanes.

You don't live in Germany? No Problem! Travel to Germany and rent a fast sports car. Then you can make a round trip by car. You are able to see the most beautiful tracks ... ehhhm landscapes of Germany =) Before I forget on tripadvisor.uk.com there a several hints where to rent a car or how to drive on the wonderful "Autobahn".

Some videos: