Autobahn Guide: The Essential Tips for Driving in Germany

 

“How fast do you think 120 kilometers per hour is? It feels pretty fast.” I asked my wife as we zipped past the distant pine trees that marked the edge of the Black Forest. Some quick calculations and she had the speed report.

“You’re doing about 75 mph. Not quite Mario Andretti.”

Ok then, I think I can go a BIT faster, it is the autobahn after all. And we’ve got an appointment at the spa in Baden-Baden so let’s get going!

 

Driving on the German autobahn is a bucket-list experience for many travelers.

It certainly was for me! I’m a lifelong motorsports fan, so the chance to drive on a pristine highway system, oftentimes at incredible speeds, was very attractive to me. That said, in practice there were a few things that I would have loved to have known about in advance. 

Before you hit the road, it’s essential to understand the rules, best practices, and whether driving on the autobahn is right for you. This autobahn guide will cover everything you need to know before renting a car and taking off on your high-speed adventure.

Decide if you NEED to drive or want to drive

Germany has one of the best public transportation networks in the world, with high-speed trains, regional rail, and buses connecting nearly every city and town. If you’re traveling between major destinations like Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt, a train is often the most efficient, easiest option. 

However, if your trip involves exploring smaller towns, scenic countryside, or you simply want the thrill of driving on the autobahn, renting a car could be a great choice. A good rule of thumb is if a train would take you longer than 3 hours to get to any one place, it’s time to consider a car as an option.

For me, it came down to the fact we would be going between Munich and the spa town of Baden-Baden on this particular trip. There’s no GREAT train between those spots that takes less than 4 hours, plus I had always wanted to try the autobahn. So with that in mind, I opted for the car, and the wide open autobahn ahead.

Renting a car in Germany? Here’s what you need to get on rolling.

Renting a car in Germany is more or less like renting a car anywhere else. So in this autobahn guide, I’ll focus on what you REALLY need to know.

If you’re 25 and up, you’re golden. Make sure you have your passport and your rental agreement. There’s a universal language amongst rental agencies where they try to upsell you on EVERYTHING. 

While I was cool paying for a nicer vehicle, I opted out of extra insurance. You be the judge here, do what you feel comfortable with but don’t let them talk you into anything you don’t want.

Unless you’re planning on doing a circular route (where you start and stop in the same location you’re picking up your car) you’ll likely want a one way rental. This might cost a bit more, but as long as you are returning said car within Germany it won’t be too bad.

I preferred Europcar as my rental agency in Germany, but there are other options. Europcar gets my nod for ease of use, excellent service, solid vehicles and location density. I opted out of a Sixt (another car rental agency) reservation because after some research, the location I was meant to pick up at was too far out of the way.

These are the things you’ll have to start considering when you’re thinking of traveling on the autobahn.

 

Can you drive a manual? No? Trust your autobahn guide and get an electric car

Gearheads rejoice: European rental car companies in Germany like Europcar and Sixt are big fans of manual transmissions. Automatic vehicles tend to be more expensive and less readily available. If you’re not comfortable driving stick shift, an easy alternative is renting an electric car. 

EVs are widely available, and give you one less thing to worry about when it comes to driving in a new place. There are some drawbacks that we’ll get to, but I was happy I didn’t need to worry about remembering my stick shift driving lessons while I was getting comfortable on the German freeway.

Side Note: Check the Range, Plan to Stop and Recharge

This is the one major drawback of the EV: if you’re going for a longer journey, you’re gonna need to stop and recharge at some point. Research charging stations along your route, and make plans accordingly to allow for this potential stop along the way. 

While Germany has a well-developed EV infrastructure, some rural areas may have fewer charging options. What’s more, some charging stations aren’t equipped for certain vehicles so be sure to research the charging needs for your specific vehicle.

Rest assured, your rental agency will likely give you some options for how to charge along the way. Plus, most don’t even require you to top off the batteries when you return your ride!

In my experience, I simply searched for a Shell EV station along our route and found one easily. Even though pausing your trip is less than ideal, the 20 minutes or so needed to charge your car will give you a chance to check out a German gas station. 

Maybe not so exciting, but it’s generally pleasant! And you can bask in the glory that is seeing a KFC thousands of miles from America.

You’ll be on the right side of the road—don’t be intimidated!

Most of my readership is from America, so we’re used to driving on the right hand side of the road. In fact, one of the most common questions I get is “Wait you drove there?! Don’t they drive on the wrong side of the road?!”

If you’re in Europe and you AREN’T visiting the UK, Ireland, or Malta have no fear: driving will feel very familiar on the right side of the road.

This makes it more comfortable, but still take your time. The flow of traffic on the autobahn is generally smooth, so once you adjust, you’ll likely find it easier than expected.

 

The most important lesson of this autobahn guide: Do NOT camp out in the far left lane

The left lane is strictly for overtaking, no questions asked. If you stay in the left lane without actively passing another vehicle, you’ll likely receive aggressive flashes of headlights from faster drivers behind you.  

After overtaking, promptly move back to the right to keep traffic flowing smoothly. You can also hang out in the far left lane if you’re driving faster than the average around you, just remember there’s almost always someone faster.

This is a rule that I wish was observed more in America. How often have you been cruising along in the passing lane only to run up behind someone doing 20 miles under the speed limit? Don’t be that guy in Germany, use the left lane for passing, the middle lane for cruising, and leave the far right lane for the large trucks.

 

Not All of the autobahn is No Speed Limit

One of the biggest misconceptions about the autobahn is that you can drive as fast as you want everywhere. While some sections have no posted speed limit and you can let it rip, many stretches—especially near cities, construction zones, and environmentally regulated areas—have strictly enforced speed limits. 

Pay close attention to the signage, as limits can change frequently along your route. In this autobahn guide I must emphasize the importance of staying alert to speed restrictions almost as much as you should obey the lane rules.

Many modern cars have a feature that will keep you notified immediately of the current speed limit which helps quite a bit. Still, if in doubt, go a bit slower and stay in that middle lane.

There’s always a faster car—go at YOUR pace

I won’t lie, the unlimited speed sections of the autobahn DO rule. Hell, that’s the main reason I wanted to drive in Germany in the first place, and there’s a good chance you’re reading this autobahn guide for the same reason.

Still, this freedom comes with some major cautions to be aware of.

Even if you think you’re driving fast, there will almost always be someone going faster. Stay aware of your surroundings and don’t feel pressured to match the highest speeds on the road. 

There will be times where you pass a car by using the left hand lane, and suddenly there’s a high end Porsche breathing down your neck. No worries! Just get over, and let them go on their merry way.

Drive at a pace that is comfortable and safe for you while following posted regulations. It’s the less fun answer, but always prioritize safety over speed.

 

Be Very Aware of Changing Lanes

Once you start to feel more comfortable on the autobahn, you’ll be tempted to try higher and higher speeds. Great! We’re here to live it up, safely of course.

Due to those high speeds on the autobahn, lane changes require extra caution. Always check your mirrors and blind spots before moving over, as cars in the left lane will approach much faster than expected. Use your turn signals well in advance and merge smoothly.

There will be a time when you come up on slower traffic in the middle lane and get ready to pass. You’ll look over your shoulder and see a bright yellow DHL van absolutely HAULING in your rear view mirror. Yikes, good thing you knew to be extra cautious before making that lane shift!

Check those mirrors, and use the blind spot monitoring if your car has it. Careful lane switches and plenty of awareness will have you safely to your destination in no time.

One surprising word of caution in this autobahn guide: grade changes

Speed limits frequently change on the autobahn, particularly near towns and construction areas. But one warning sign you might not expect immediately along your route is when there are significant inclines and declines in your path. 

Especially in areas that approach the alpine regions of Germany, there can be MAJOR hills. So major, they’re mountains. You’ll be cruising along and then there’s a sign warning of a 6% grade coming up.

Pay attention to these signs as carefully as you would to the speed limit signs. You don’t want to be flying along and suddenly come up behind much slower traffic that’s preparing for the grade ahead.

In practice when you come upon this, everyone will begin to slow down of course, especially when it’s a major downhill section. Be aware, and you’ll be fine.

And as an added bonus, these areas tend to have some outstanding views! So when it’s safe, take a peek around you or have your passengers take some photos for later.

 

If there’s an accident, make a lane in the center like a true German driver

In the event of an accident or traffic jam, German law requires drivers to create a “Rettungsgasse” (emergency corridor) in the middle of the road. This means moving to the far left or right of your lane to allow emergency vehicles to pass through the center. 

It’s a well-organized system and an essential rule to follow. Not only that, but it’s a marvelous German cultural touchpoint that is inspiring to see. If you were in an accident, wouldn’t you want your fellow travelers to pull over and help first responders get to you as fast as possible?

So if you come across slower traffic ahead, and they’re starting to move to the shoulders of the road, follow their lead. Fire trucks and ambulances might not be far behind, so make their job a bit easier by making a lane.

 

Closing out this autobahn guide, and finding a place to park.

This is a portion of the trip we don’t often consider: what the heck do we do with this car once we reach our destination? It’s one more thing to consider when choosing to rent a vehicle for the autobahn!

Let’s say you’re trying to make it to a spa and massage date in your destination. If you’ve had to stop for charging the EV you’re in, or been delayed for another reason, you might need to park your rented car before you’re able to return it. 

Parking can be tough in smaller towns in Germany like Baden-Baden, so do your research in advance by finding public parking. There will undoubtedly be a charge for this, so be aware.

When it comes time to return the vehicle, you’re better off dropping off your bags at your hotel if you can. Most rental agencies have their offices near the airport or train station in each town, so once you’re without wheels you’ll need to take public transit back to your lodging. 

I found parking and the return process to be the biggest pains in my autobahn experience, and it was the one thing that would prevent me from renting another vehicle in Germany. Driving along the autobahn was worth the annoyance, but in the future I’ll likely opt for a train if it’s not a crazy-long or winding trip.

 

Final Thoughts on the autobahn

Driving on the autobahn rules. No question about that. You can go as fast as you’d like when it’s allowed and safe, and the roads are in pristine condition. The autobahn experience is something I’d highly recommend to a fellow car enthusiast, or if your itinerary suits it.

Above all else though, the autobahn requires caution and respect for the rules of the road. You’re in Germany, so the pride that others take in following the guidelines should be noted and adopted as a temporary visitor.

Whether you’re cruising at high speeds or taking it slow to enjoy the scenic routes, following this autobahn guide will help you navigate Germany’s famous highways safely and confidently. Happy driving!