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Autobahn is a term that refers to freeways in Germany. The country has a network of highways with no speed limits. According to a survey, Autobahn stretches up to 11,000 km. There are plans to add more such routes in Germany. The official name of the route in Germany is Bundesautobahn or the federal motorway. Today, Autobahn connects most part of Germany, Austria, France, and Italy.

Highways with multiple lanes for traffic separated by a grade central were built in Germany for the exclusive use of Motor vehicles. The first such road was constructed between Cologne and Bonn in 1931.

Later when the Nazis took over power in 1933 and Adolf Hitler became the chancellor, they took active interest in extending the highways to more places. Hitler saw it as a military advantage and it also helped to create jobs for the local population that time. Nazis later used slave labour to intensify their construction of highways.

The increased network of roads gave the Nazi military a quick access to far off places and improved their logistics. By the end of WWII, the Autobahn network measured 2,128 km. The next phase of development started in 1953 with the Federal republic of Germany.

The general rule is to provide uninterrupted high speed traffic flow. Most Autobahn features 2, 3 or 4 lane design. It has a landscaped green median. The roads are freeze resistant that gives smooth ride. The roadbed is 70-centimeter or 27.5 inch in thickness. Additional space on the sides of the roads for emergency stopping, long acceleration, and deceleration are provided. The authorities maintain the road at excellent condition. Every square inch of the road is checked with high tech road scanning equipments. If a fissure is noticed, the entire section of the road is replaced. To provide quick motorability signs barriers and other features are well maintained.

Being a mountainous region, runnels and bridges are common on the route. The Autobahn system has over 65 tunnels. In cases where it is possible, separate tunnels have been provided for traffic on either direction. In order to protect motorists from usual danger of hillslides and others, the tunnels are equipped with 24 hours video monitoring, constant display of information over radio, sign boards, and refuge rooms with emergency telephones and other emergency systems in place. Equipments to monitor weather, traffic density, and the results are used to warn drivers passing through the route.

In order to facilitate high speed traffic, special laws are applied on the use of Autobahn. Bicycles, mopeds, and pedestrians are banned from entering the route. Vehicles which have speed rates less than 60 km/h are also restricted.

The routes are restricted to motor vehicles capable of driving at high speed. The recommended speed for German Autobahn is 130 km/h and higher (we never could do that on Indian roads). Most of the fastest cars in the world are tested in the route for precision, performance, and power. Cars like the Porsche 911, Boxster, Mercedes SLK Class, BMWs, Ferrari, Audi and others are frequently used.

European car manufacturers often quote the Autobahn figures to highlight its endurance and power. It has become one of the key statistics for many car manufacturers across the world nowadays.