Autobahn-Tempolimit
City-states vs area states: where a limit (almost) always applies
In the three city-states, free driving is the big exception. Here is how little Autobahn there is without a limit – and why cities work differently from the countryside.
Three states, almost entirely restricted
The three city-states form the bottom of the ranking – by a wide margin. In Bremen only 1.9 of 66.1 km are free (2.9%), in Berlin 4.5 km (6.1%) and in Hamburg 6.4 km (7.9%). For comparison, the freest territorial state, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, reaches 90.6%.
| City-state | Autobahn total | no speed limit | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremen | 66.1 km | 1.9 km | 2.9 % |
| Berlin | 74.5 km | 4.5 km | 6.1 % |
| Hamburg | 81.9 km | 6.4 km | 7.9 % |
Why cities are different
Urban motorways run close to housing, have many junctions over a short distance and mainly serve commuter traffic. Noise protection, air quality and safety at the tight weaving sections lead to fixed limits almost everywhere. Free sections are the exception here.
The map shows every switch from free to restricted along your route.
The contrast with area states
In the territorial states the picture reverses: free road dominates, and limits concentrate on conurbations and interchanges. How steep the divide is is shown in Where Germany drives free; the full profiles are in the federal-state comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Which city-state has the least free Autobahn?
Bremen: only 2.9% of its Autobahn is unrestricted, the lowest value of all 16 states.
Why do city-states have so many speed limits?
Urban motorways lie close to residential areas, have many junctions and serve commuter traffic. Noise protection, air quality and safety lead to almost continuous fixed limits.
How do territorial states compare?
Much freer: the leading territorial state, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, reaches 90.6%, while the city-states are below 10%.
Data source: our own analysis of OpenStreetMap speed limits, clipped to the state borders, as of 13 September 2026. Kilometres averaged per direction. Not an official survey.
Read next
Speed limit in Berlin
All the figures for Berlin's urban motorways.
ComparisonWhere Germany drives free
The east-west divide and the ranking of all states.
OverviewSpeed limit by state
All 16 state profiles with kilometres.
BasicsWhere is there no limit?
How the whole network breaks down by category.