Driving In Germany

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Directions to Iphofen | Driving in Germany
European Driving Information Resources

e find the North American perception of danger associated with driving in Germany to be incorrect.

We found German drivers at least as careful and more attentive than in the US. German roads are maintained well; Americans will marvel at their condition.

Speed limits are 50 kilometers per hour (about 31 mph) in built-up areas, and usually 100 km/hr (about 62 mph) elsewhere. There are no speed limits generally on the autobahns, though 130 km/hr (about 80 mph) is the recommended limit. On congested sections (e.g. the A3 which runs east from Frankfurt to Würzburg) limits of 120 km/hr or 100 km/hr are common.

You should not be anxious about driving on the autobahns -- trucks and buses are generally restricted to 80 or 100 km/h, so if you're uncomfortable at higher speeds, you can get into line with them. If you'd rather move faster you'll find the roads well-designed for very high speed.

Note, however, you must keep an attentive eye on your mirror -- you'll find some vehicles driving far faster than you (unless you're comfortable at 120 mph or more), and you must make way for them.

German traffic rules require you to stay in the right lane unless passing, and also require that you pass quickly. No dawdling in the left lane passing a truck at a speed only slightly greater. This is enforced on the autobahns, as is the prohibition against running out of fuel.

d found driving in Germany on all kinds of road quite enjoyable. Julie had her teeth unclenched by the time our flight to New York had reached 10,000 feet! Seriously, there's no reason to avoid the autobahns or driving in Germany at all. Germans are certainly the best drivers in Europe.

Good road maps of Europe can be a little hard to find in the US. You can order a Germany Road Atlas from Adventurous Traveler Bookstore. You'll find below some useful web links to make your driving in Germany a bit easier.

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The red cross marks Iphofen.

Directions to Iphofen:

From Frankfurt:

t's about an hour on the A3 driving east from the Frankfurt airport to the Rottendorf exit, number 72. (About 7 kilometers past the Würzburg/Randersacker exit at the Main River, and just 2 km. before the crossing with the A7 (Biebelrieder Kreuz.))

At the end of the exit ramp make a right in the direction of Biebelried (2.5 km.) on the B8 and continue beyond another 5 km. to Kitzingen. After Kitzingen you'll pass Mainbernheim on your left (home of Gummi bears) in 6 km., and come to the turn to Iphofen in another 3. (You'll see the city on your left as you approach.)
As you drive into town you'll follow Bahnhofstrasse until it comes to a sharp right hand turn; instead of following the road to the right go straight ahead (after stopping) through the city walls. In a short distance you'll come to a plaza (Julius-Echter-platz) by the Spitalkirche (church) and bear to your right reaching the south end of the city square in a couple of blocks. The Tourist Office is off the street to the left of the north end of the square, just before the city hall. The total trip from the airport takes about 75 minutes.

From Nürnberg on the A3:

Traveling west (and north) exit Schweinfurt/Wiesentheid (exit 75.)
Proceed southwest in the direction of and through Rüdenhausen, Wiesenbronn and by Rödelsee and reach Iphofen in about 11 km. (At Rödelsee be sure and not take the direction to Mainbernheim.)

From Rothenburg o.d. Tauber (A7):

Go north and exit Marktbreit (A7 exits are unnumbered, as we recall -- Marktbreit is 4 exits (35-40 km.) north of Rothenburg.)
From the exit you pass by Marktbreit, go through Obernbreit to Willanzheim then toward Mainbernheim and the B8. At the B8 at Mainbernheim turn right onto the highway (south) to Iphofen in 3 km. The total trip from the exit to Iphofen is about 12 km. Note that in exiting the A7 you will see directional signs to Kitzingen via Marktsteft which you should ignore in favor of the route via Michelfeld. Be alert to possible detours.

Internet Resources on Driving in Europe:

Britain's AA European fuel prices.

International Road Signs Great pictures of the signs, and extensive ... almost complete.

European Road Signs An incomplete (and somewhat confusing) tutorial on road signs and rules. Nonetheless worthwhile for those unfamiliar with the (right) way the rest of the world marks roads.

Driving In Germany An excellent tutorial on all facets of driving here including descriptions of road types, signage and laws.

Michelin Felt by many to be the best European route planner

Mappy A very decent route planner.

reiseroute.de Offers instructions and links to several European routing planners, including some specifically geared to Germany and Swtizerland.

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