Spain’s motorway network makes long-distance travel smooth and efficient, but not all motorways are the same! Here is a quick guide to help you understand the difference between Autovías (A Roads) and Autopistas (AP Roads), plus some useful tips for navigating them.
A ROADS (AUTOVÍAS) – FREE MOTORWAYS
These are dual carriageways that are designed for high-speed travel. They may have roundabouts, direct access points & intersections. These are toll-free roads and are found all over Spain, especially in areas where toll roads wouldn’t be practical.
AP ROADS (AUTOPISTAS) – TOLL MOTORWAYS
These are built for speed & efficiency, with controlled access points. This has a toll system – fees usually depend on the distance traveled. These roads typically connect major cities, airports & tourist areas and ensure faster, safer travel but at a cost.
TELEPEAJE
To make motorway travel even smoother, Spain uses a Telepeaje system. An electronic toll payment method. Drivers with a compatible device (such as the Via-T tag) can pass through toll booths without stopping as fees are automatically deducted from a linked bank account. The same device can be used throughout other European countries. Look for lanes marked with a ‘T’ symbol for quick, contactless toll payments if you have one of these devices. This system is especially useful for frequent motorway users, helping to reduce travel time. It is also valid for some parking garages.
EXIT NUMBERS – HOW THEY WORK
Most Spanish motorways usually have a kilometre-based numbering system. For example: ‘Salida 25’ means the exit is 25km from the start of that motorway. This makes it easier to estimate distances & allows new junctions to be added without renumbering everything!
MARKER BOARDS – WHAT THEY MEAN
Kilometre markers – Show the motorway code (e.g., A-7) & your distance from the start
Emergency markers – Identified by an SOS symbol, these help emergency services locate you faster
Some markers also highlight tunnels, bridges & service areas
