Speed-free motorways in Germany are synonymous with every driver's adrenaline-pumping dream. But the latest data from 2025 reveals that the legendary Autobahn is increasingly resembling a regular highway. Has the freedom of speed become just a myth? So - Germans on speed-free motorways in 2025!
When we think of German autobahns, we usually picture an Audi, Mercedes or BMW speeding past us towards the horizon at the speed of light. Yes, we can almost smell the burning rubber and hear the hum of the engine, revving beyond reasonable limits. But the reality of 2025 paints a very different picture. German Autobahn, celebrated as an asphalt paradise without borders, today feels more like a leisurely Sunday promenade. Germans on highways without restrictions in 2025!
Average speed: Less than 114 km/h? – Germans on the motorways
According to a recent study Institute for German Economy (IW), carried out in North Rhine-Westphalia, the average speed on sections of the motorway where there are no speed limits is modest 113.5 km/h. Surprising? Even more so than finding out that vegans eat bacon.
But an even more shocking fact is that 83 % drivers voluntarily drives below the recommended speed limit 130 km/h. Yes, you read that right. The Germans, a nation of precise and fast cars, are limiting themselves on speed. It's almost as if the Italians voluntarily stopped drinking espresso.
Only 1 % driver exceeds 160 km/h
The study also reveals that a barely noticeable percentage of drivers (we're talking about 1 %) brave enough or irresponsible enough to afford speeds above 160 km/hThis figure is extremely low, considering that most of us have at least once boasted of a speed record achieved on the Autobahn. Even on weekends, when you would expect more opportunities for faster driving, traffic is mostly in the range of 100 to 130 km/h.
Why don't drivers want to take advantage of unlimited freedom?
Experts have cited several reasons why Germany's legendary Autobahn is slowly losing its racing character. Among them are the increasing number of construction sites, heavy commutes and rising fuel prices, which are literally forcing drivers to drive more economically. It is precisely because of the latter that most drivers prefer to maintain a calm pace and save a few euros rather than show off their horsepower.
Speed limits – really necessary?
The new study therefore raises a key question: is Germany's national debate on speed limits even meaningful? If most drivers already drive well below the presumed critical speed 130 km/h, why would we even introduce a legal restriction?
»The speed limit debate is a bit exaggerated,” say the IW researchers. However, they acknowledge that more consistent speeds among drivers would result in smoother traffic and less last-minute braking, which would also reduce fuel consumption.
What about Slovenia – are we really slower than the Germans?
With all this, as a driver who spends a lot of time on the road, I European roads, I ask, What is the real average speed on Slovenian motorways?. Based on my own experience and comparisons with driving in Europe, I can say that we find the average speed on domestic roads extremely high, if not above average. Or at least 20km/h higher than German ones. Perhaps a similar study would be useful in Slovenia, which would reveal the actual speed of driving on our roads and help us better understand whether we are really that much slower than our northern neighbors or whether it just seems that way to us.
Conclusion: Is this the end of the Autobahn as we know it?
Although the thought of speed limits makes many car enthusiasts' hearts sink, it seems that the future of the Autobahn will continue to be in the hands of the drivers themselves. If most Germans already drive as if they were on a normal motorway, perhaps it is time to accept the fact that the cult of speed on the Autobahn has become more myth than reality. But regardless of the numbers, the feeling of being able to pedal to the floor at any time will forever remain a uniquely German privilege. After all, the feeling of freedom is what counts - even if we don't take full advantage of it.
