The best driving roads in Germany

Germany's driving story is two-headed. Half of it is the autobahn network — the only major road system in the world where significant stretches are still derestricted, and the place where a properly engineered car can finally show what it was built to do. The A9 between Munich and Ingolstadt, the long open sections of the A2 through Lower Saxony, the empty pre-dawn flow on the A7 — driven correctly, these are some of the most rewarding hours behind the wheel anywhere.

The other half is southern Germany's scenic network: the Deutsche Alpenstrasse winding through Bavaria, the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse over the Black Forest, the B500 ridge route. These are slower, more touristy, and at their best on a still autumn morning when the coach traffic hasn't woken up. Bavaria in particular makes a strong base: Munich is an hour from the Austrian border and three from the Stelvio, which is why so many alpine itineraries start there.

The country's engineering culture shows up in the road surfaces — even minor Bavarian roads are well-maintained — and the legal framework respects competent driving. The autobahn isn't a free-for-all; it's a contract: stay right unless overtaking, signal early, never linger in the left lane. Honour the contract and the road will reward you.