What is the difference between highway and motorway?

Net Spain roads As of December 31, 2021, it has 165,375 kilometers. This is data from the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda. And leaving aside their condition, not all roads are the same. Its very nomenclature gives us a clue. Eat national, regional, provincial, local roads… And then we have the ones that concentrate the most traffic: highways and highways. They look the same, but do you know the difference between highway and highway?

It may seem like a trick question, but it’s not. Although highways and highways represent only 10% of the national road network in Spain, support more than half of the traffic. And though it’s true that they share much in commonand hence the confusion, there are certain differences that drivers and travelers should consider.

Especially with regard to Speed ​​limits, what vehicles can drive on these roads, whether you can stop and park, how to make a U-turn, or whether you can reverse. You also need to know what to do in an emergency and how they differ from each other road signs and signs.

How are highways and highways similar?

As the RACC, one of the oldest associations of drivers in Spain, explains, highway this is a highway of several stripes on both sideswith crosses at different levels and where you can circulate on high speed. They have no access to the adjacent properties, and only cars can move on them. To get used to be paid“. roads they meet the same definition: “they have independent roads for each direction of travel, limited access to adjacent properties, and cannot be crossed or intersected by other roads at the same level.”

So, what dual carriageways and highways have in common is that they are roads. large proportionsintercity, which you travel at high speed, with several carriageways in each direction, with an abundance smooth lines and curves and with additional infrastructure that makes them safer roads.

Further similarities. On the highway and motorway ’tis Slower vehicles are prohibited (mopeds, animal traction, people with reduced mobility…) and pedestrians. The only exception is cyclists who are banned from motorways but can use motorways when there is no other alternative route.”

The reason is that these roads have to be driven speed from 60 to 120 kilometers per hour. Trucks, vans, trailers and motorhomes must travel at from 60 to 90 km/h. buses, from 60 to 100. And finally, cars, motorcycles and motorhomes, from 60 to 120 km/h. If the driver cannot meet these speedsyou must leave the motorway and/or dual carriageway at the next exit.

General rules on both roads

Due to the common characteristics of highways and roads, they also have common views and rules on the road, such as safe distanceexits and entrances to these roads or maneuvers prohibited: “change direction, back up, stop and park.” These maneuvers must be carried out in permitted areas.

For example. inputs and outputs They are carried out through the acceleration and deceleration lanes, respectively, and the signaling by the corresponding vehicle indicator. Otherwise, other common behaviors are drive in the right lane and use the center and left lanes for overtaking.

And in the case of a car can’t keep circulating and there is no other choice but to stop, “be sure to signal your presence with emergency lighting and/or a triangle at the rear at a distance of 50 meters, visible at a distance of 100 meters, and no passenger should move on the road.”

Differences between Highway and Highway

At this point, if they look the same, the driver behavior is identical, and the rules that apply to them are the same, how about the same?what are the differences between highway and highway? Except for the most obvious, namely his name and therefore his nomenclature highway (A-1 for Autovía and AP-1 for Autopista), the main difference between one and the other is that the motorway is usually tolled and the motorway is paid by taxes. The motorway is usually served private company through a fixed duration concession that can be extended. And highways are usually maintained with public funds, although they are later subcontracted to private companies.

Or so it has been until now. The plan of the Spanish government was that since 2024system pay for the use of roads Spanish language. A system that works in other European countries. However, due to the fact that this is not a very popular measure and the current economic situation, this plan was put on hold at the beginning of the year. So when you read these lines, the plan is probably still up in the air or have a different implant date.

Second difference between highway and freeway it’s in his appearance. On the motorways entrances are usually separate for every feeling. AND entry and exit access It is not as well signposted or demarcated as on motorways. Thus, acceleration and deceleration lanes are more common on the highway than on the highway. We also found more bends and irregularities on highways than on highways. Or find bus stops on the highway.