Major Highways & Driving Tips in Madrid, Spain
1. M-30 (Madrid Orbital Motorway)
A major circular motorway surrounding Madrid city, it allows for smooth travel between different areas without passing through the urban core.
- Circular Route: Provides easy access to all parts of Madrid without entering congested downtown areas.
- Efficient Connection: Connects major highways like A-1, A-2, and A-3.
- Reduced Congestion: Minimizes traffic within the city center.
2. A-1 (Autovía del Norte)
The main north-south highway connecting Madrid with cities such as Bilbao and Valencia.
- Primary North-South Route: Serves as the primary transportation link between northern and southern Spain.
- High Speed Travel: Enables quick travel between major cities along its route.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
3. A-2 (Autovía del Este)
East-west highway linking Madrid with Barcelona and Zaragoza.
- Primary East-West Route: Serves as the primary transportation link between eastern Spain and Madrid.
- High Speed Travel: Enables quick travel between major cities along its route.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
4. A-3 (Autovía del Sur)
Southbound highway connecting Madrid with cities like Toledo and Seville.
- Primary South Route: Serves as the primary transportation link between southern Spain and Madrid.
- High Speed Travel: Enables quick travel between major cities along its route.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
5. M-40 (Madrid Ring Road)
A ring road surrounding the northern part of Madrid that reduces congestion in downtown.
- Reduced Congestion: Helps minimize traffic within the northern part of the city.
- Efficient Connection: Connects major highways like A-1 and A-2.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
6. M-50 (Madrid Southern Ring Road)
Southbound ring road connecting the A-3 and M-40 motorways.
- Reduced Congestion: Minimizes traffic in southern Madrid.
- Efficient Connection: Connects the A-3 with M-40 and other major highways.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
7. M-601 (Autopista del Este)
Eastbound motorway connecting Madrid with Barajas Airport and the M-30.
- Airport Access: Provides direct access to Barajas International Airport.
- Efficient Connection: Connects the M-30 and A-2.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
8. M-603 (Autopista del Sur)
Southbound motorway connecting Madrid with the M-40.
- Reduced Congestion: Minimizes traffic in southern Madrid.
- Efficient Connection: Connects the M-40 with other major highways.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
9. M-605 (Autopista del Oeste)
Westbound motorway connecting Madrid with the M-40.
- Reduced Congestion: Minimizes traffic in western Madrid.
- Efficient Connection: Connects the M-40 with other major highways.
- Toll Road: Requires payment for usage via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
10. Carretera de la Mancha (N-III)
An important highway connecting Madrid with Toledo and other cities in La Mancha region.
- Regional Connectivity: Links Madrid with cities within the La Mancha region.
- High Speed Travel: Enables quick travel between major cities along its route.
- Toll Road (Partial): Requires payment for usage on some sections via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
11. Carretera de Castilla-La Mancha (N-II)
A highway connecting Madrid with cities in the Castilla-La Mancha region.
- Regional Connectivity: Links Madrid with cities within the Castilla-La Mancha region.
- High Speed Travel: Enables quick travel between major cities along its route.
- Toll Road (Partial): Requires payment for usage on some sections via electronic toll collection or cash at service stations.
12. Carretera de Cuenca (CM-400)
A road connecting Madrid with the city of Cuenca in the east.
- Regional Connectivity: Links Madrid with the city of Cuenca and other nearby towns.
- Scenic Route: Offers stunning views of the Spanish countryside.
- Toll Road (None): Does not require payment for usage.
13. Carretera de la Sierra de Guadarrama
A mountain road connecting Madrid with the towns of Segovia and La Covatilla.
- Scenic Route: Offers breathtaking views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains.
- Mountain Passes: Features several mountain passes, some requiring careful driving.
- Toll Road (None): Does not require payment for usage.
14. Carretera de la Sierra de Guadarrama (N-VI)
A road connecting Madrid with the town of La Covatilla and the ski resorts in the Sierra de Guadarrama.
- Scenic Route: Offers breathtaking views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains.
- Mountain Passes: Features several mountain passes, some requiring careful driving.
- Toll Road (None): Does not require payment for usage.
15. Carretera de la Sierra de Guadarrama (N-420)
A road connecting Madrid with the town of Segovia through the Sierra de Guadarrama.
- Scenic Route: Offers breathtaking views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains.
- Mountain Passes: Features several mountain passes, some requiring careful driving.
- Toll Road (None): Does not require payment for usage.