What is the longest stretch with an unrestricted speed limit within the German Autobahn system?

Question

I'd think that this would be an obvious trivia question, but I can't find an answer.

None of the maps that I have highlight the unrestricted zones....I'm assuming that it's somewhere in the old East Germany. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Germans are constantly ripping up sections of the autobahn and doing construction at random places along the autobahn, sometimes in the same place where only a few months ago another construction crew just finished several years of work.  There are also many places where the speed limit changes based on how much traffic and congestion is starting to form.  It's a commonly held misconception that the autobahn is some giant German raceway--it isn't.  It's set up the way that freeways SHOULD be set up in the states:  the left is for passing, NOT cruising; the right is for slower drivers.  If you are plunking along in the left lane and someone comes flying up behind you, you're obligated to get the h**l out of the way, because that's the passing lane and they need to pass you.  They should not have to be forced to pass your a** in the right lane, since that's illegal anyway.  It's the law, and it's also common sense and basic courtesy.  If you're in the left lane and people to your right are going the same speed or even faster, that means you shouldn't be in the left lane.

In essence, those rules are the same in the U.S.; the difference is, they're not enforced.  Americans equate speed with recklessness, which is rubbish.  You can be a slow driver and be reckless (refer to the aforementioned examples of dunderheads plunking along in the left lane without a need to pass).

To directly answer your question, though--it changes all the time.  Typically speed limit signs pop up anywhere near cities, frequently-used onramps/offramps, construction areas, high-traffic areas, places where the freeway is reduced to one or two lanes each side, places where the freeway is older... you get the idea.  Considering that generally the autobahns in former West Germany tend to be in somewhat better shape than those in East Germany (this isn't always so, but is true of slightly less busy autobahns), I'd guess that where-ever this theoretical "longest stretch" would be in the western half.  Either way, you'll rarely have the chance to fly along at 200kph for 3 hours straight--there's just too much traffic on the freeways in Germany for this to be possible.

Answer 2

Probably the a65 its a not so nuesy autobahn and its ok its about 150 km long at a good speed you `ll be done soon, I took my dads SLK 500 and was done in about 40 -50 min. so if your looking for more good luck.

Answer 3

I don't know and couldn't find a map so far, but I'd suppose it could be on A 24 between Hamburg and Berlin.

- this Autobahn is relatively new, so not much road work expected

- it's passing through the least densely populated region in Germany

Answer 4

Well, thing is that you have speed restrictions on most of the Autobahnen by now. Reason for this are long strips of road construction, bad road quality, noise protection, heavy traffic, etc.

Here's a link where you can check the regular speed restrictions for Autobahnen (German language only, sorry!):

http://www.doda.webd.pl/de/wiki/Liste_de...

Answer 5

The A5 (I think thats what it is).   It runs between Hamburg and Munich.  Brendon is right.  The left lane is the passing lane and the right is for slower moving vehicles.  Its the best when you have 3 lanes because trucks (LKWs) drive in the far left, cars cruise in the middle lane, and cars pass in the left.  It varries.  I saw lots of stretches on this autobahn with no speed limit.  Its interesting that the speed is often controlled by electronic signs, with computers and senors attached.  It calculates the best rushhour speed so the traffic jams are minimized (I didn't say avoid, its not always possible).  Also, the roads are in great condition.  They constantly maintain them.  I laugh when I see signs that say "road damage".  I'm from Illinois, and the German notion of road damage is hilarious from my point of view.

Answer 6

Brandon had a very good answer. He had a lot of good points. I know, I am German I lived there for 21 years.

Answer 7

Difficult question.

Theres one Autobahn up in the North A29, which goes to Oldenburg. On that part there's quite little traffic and usually no speed limit.

The A8 in contrast has speed limits almost everywhere, as does the A5 and the Autobahns in the Ruhrgebiet, who are usually jammed during day and night.