I have a research field trip to Berlin next week, and I've decided to drive with all of our water sampling gear. Now my Swiss colleagues are really nervous, and suggest things like taking a break every hour because of how stressful it will be driving on the German Autobahn. I'm American, and have driven in major US cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, etc.) in traffic many times over the past 9 years I've had my license...Is there any serious concern about the safety of the German highways, or are my colleagues biased because they don't drive frequently?

Well, swiss people and driving is a hate-hate relationship, so no surprise there
I have driven to Berlin once and it was actually quite a long way. Plus, I got stuck in a bit of a jam around Berlin, and it took me a lot of time to cover the last ~100km. Luckily I was with a friend so we could share the driving.

When driving on the Autobahn just remember to take a quick glance on your rear-view mirror every 10 seconds or so (sounds crazy, I know), because you WILL have someone driving faster than you appearing out of nowhere and tailgating && flashing you. Don't do anything stupid like braking suddenly, 'cause it WILL end in tears.

Also, remember that german highways (especially in the former DDR) are not that great, often without guard-rails, and mostly with two lanes only.

Apart from that, enjoy your trip

Not true...at least not 100%.
Most of the German Autobahn system is well developed, safe and full of
traffic. My speed suggestion is to go with the flow... The Germans learn
to drive offensively... not like defensive in the states.

Recently I drove to Chemnitz, on a Sunday afternoon/evening... No
trucks, traffic moved well... till it rained, several times. The Autobahn,
especially in the ex-DDR was outstanding. Newly paved, wide lanes... A
real treat to drive on. That is where I cruised with a car from Frankfurt
between 180 and 220 kmh. Made excellent timing!

Don't take a break every hour... but don't scare your passengers
Stress is what you make of it. I do suggest, if it's on your route, Illerthal
rest-stop. Use the restrooms there.

Have a good trip!

It was 2005, and I remember lots of roadworks. Things might have improved!


Excellent suggestion. German rest-stops are absolutely excellent and well spaced. I never really understood why here in Switzerland they are sometimes 70km apart... if you miss one, you're pretty much screwed.

Hope you have a powerful car and a navigation system. Traffic on German motorways can be fast and furious. Can be fun. Or a big boring traffic jam.

A very important thing to remember is that the left lane is for overtaking only. (That's how the concept of no speed limit works in a country with lots of road users). Unlike interstates in the US where you can put your car in cruise control at 70mph and never be bothered, it is against the law to stay in the left lane longer than necessary for overtaking slower traffic. If a faster car is behind you and you are not giving way quickly enough, you will get a ticket if police catches you. It is very unlikely though because on German highways there are no stationary police cars. Radar guns are usually stationary and the ticket will come in the mail; while there will be many spots where you can drive very fast beware of construction zones where most of the radar guns are. The roads in the East are among the most modern ones in the country, much of the concrete slabs has been replaced by black top. It can be stressful to drive in bad weather but usually it is great fun.

My guess is you'd have to be a superhero?

Why?

Long distance driving is what motorways/autobahns/autoroutes/autostradas (what ever you want to call them) are designed for.

I havn't driven to Berlin, but have driven quite a lot throughout Europe. I don't see any problem with someone who is an experienced driver driving to Berlin. I think the main thing is to have a realistic idea of your driving ability.

It is probably not the thing to bite off if you have never driven on European motorways before, but if you are used to them and comfortable with all driving on them entails then go for it.

Plus OP has driven in LA and SF. There have been very few times in my life when I was scared while driving. One of these was when I drove a van with 8 passengers and heavy luggage on a Spring Break trip to SF and the steep slope of some of these downhill roads downtown got me to the point that I worried about the brakes so much that I pulled over and asked someone else to continue. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate about driving to Berlin on the autobahn.

I would consider these entirely different skills and just because you are comfortable with one does not necessarily mean you are comfortable with the other.

Personally, I am not a big fan of driving heavy American cars on steep slopes downhill either. The automatic gearbox, boat like handling qualities and excessive weight make it very easy to overheat the brakes. I tend to be very cautious in situations like you described.

Definite European bias going on there. People here seem quite averse to driving distances, and seem to think that any autoroute outside their own country is a death trap. When I hear people complain about having to do a three-hour drive I tell them that back in Canada my brothers and I used to drive 'back home' for Christmas non-stop, which was a 2200 km journey. (Seriously!)

Just keep your head about you and take breaks when you feel like you need them. The autobahns aren't as manic as people sometimes make them out to be, it's just that the speeds will be higher than what you're used to dealing with. (As always), exercise due caution and you'll be fine.

Bonne route,

Heather

Pedal to the metal .

You will do just fine. Have fun and enjoy the journey.

Sorry, just to be clear my post was a question, not a statement or opinion.

I once drove 1100 miles each way to go to a party but that's a different story. However, it is fair to say that driving in Europe can be more stressful but nevertheless it is nothing to be afraid off. People, who don't like driving or road trips, probably will have all kinds of things to say why driving to Berlin is a bad idea. However, if OP considers his abilities and takes a break when needed there shouldn't be much of a problem.

We've driven in western Germany - mostly leaving CH at Basel up to the German Dutch border - Oberhausen, I guess. I was really impressed with how orderly it really was - everyone stayed in the right unless they were passing, and none of this truck passing truck stuff that makes everyone slam on their brakes (lots of that in the Netherlands).

The speed is impressive, but if you've driven in LA and SF on the freeways with the rabid lane changers (or is that on the East Coast?), you should be fine. The roads were in great shape, and often the markings are better than in Switzerland. Don't know about the route to Berlin, but from what everyone says it seems to be equally good. Traffic can be heavy, but if you're used to it, and you take breaks, pack your stuff securely and have some good music, you should be good to go.

Add a couple of hours to what the Navigation System or Route Planners indicate.

reading the posts it feels like you are going to take part to the 24h le mans.
its driving from point A to point B.simple as 1 2 3.

stopping every hour!? ofcourse if you are doing it with a bike(velo).

Why on earth would someone want to drive on the left lane? do you know the road by heart?does your car and you drive comfortably at 200+? drive with 120 in the middle lane or with 100 at the right lane. and you would be fine. no need to check the mirror every 10 seconds unless you are changing lanes or you have a ADHD disorder.

The only thing to be cautious when driving on the right lane in from cars trying to get into the highway.

Have some water, some snacks ,good music check the air in the tires before you leave try not to run out of gas and its going to be fairly easy.

+ plus having a GPS is a HUGE de-stress(antonym) factor. like honestly it feels like your colleagues would be happy only with a teleport

There is always a risk to driving, you never really know what state the other motorists are in! That being said, if you trust in your driving then here to Berlin..... piece of p1ss
May I high-jack just for a minute? I've got this bad ear (it can't regulate the pressure that can build up in the inner ear thingy), and I can't fly or drive over mountains or go through really long tunnels. I'll probably have to drive out of Switzerland by keeping to the valleys. Is that even possible? I want to go to England. All routes gratefuly appreciated

Maybe Frick, Rheinfelden to avoid the Jura hills but not sure about this.
Depends where you want to go to in England of course.
Our old route used to be:-
Rhine valley from Basel, on through Germany, Netherlands towards Arnhem and turn left at Schevenigen - boat Hoek van Holland to Harwich...
Used to be much easier navigating than trying to find my way from here to Baar when the Hirzel pass is closed...

If you want the use of your car while you are in Berlin but are not actually keen on driving all that way there is a train service from Munich where you load your car on the train and take the train with the car. It's an overnight trip and there are sleeper carriages (IIRC). With the price of gas, the hassle of driving on German highways with holiday traffic etc...it might be worth exploring.

http://www.dbautozug.de/site/dbautozug/de/start.html