How fast do ordinary people drive on German highways?

[McPatrick]

German highways generally have a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour for ordinary drivers. The composition and development history of German highways are as follows: Composition of German highways: The German road system consists of federal highways, state roads, county/city roads, and township roads, with a total road length of approximately 650,000 kilometers. Roads cover about 4.8% of the country's land area, with about 1.8% being highways. The total length of highways exceeds 11,000 kilometers. Development history of German highways: Germany was the first country in the world to build highways. In 1932, it constructed the world's first highway from Bonn to Cologne. Currently, Germany has the fourth-longest highway network in the world, following China, the United States, and Canada.

[ZacharyAnn]

On German highways, I often notice most drivers maintain speeds between 130 to 150 km/h, which actually represents a well-balanced choice—ensuring both safety and efficient time management. During adverse weather conditions like rain or fog, drivers voluntarily reduce speed below 110 km/h. Truck drivers are the most disciplined, strictly adhering to the 80 km/h speed limit. Surprisingly, even on stretches without speed limit signs, few drivers exceed 180 km/h, considering the drastic drop in fuel efficiency makes high speeds economically painful. Maintaining proper following distance is crucial, with most observing the two-second rule, allowing adequate reaction time if the vehicle ahead suddenly brakes.

[MacCole]

The far-left lane on German highways is where you can truly unleash your car's performance. I've driven at 160 km/h there quite smoothly, and often see Porsches or BMWs flashing their lights to overtake in the rearview mirror. However, the mainstream speed in the middle lane ranges between 120-140 km/h, dropping to around 100 when traffic is heavy on weekends. Be cautious on three-lane sections—the far-right lane is packed with trucks limited to 90 km/h, which significantly reduces overall traffic efficiency. I particularly admire German driving habits: always signaling before changing lanes and never overtaking on the right. This order makes high-speed driving much more reassuring. Of course, speeds tend to be slower during summer tourist season, with more rental cars leading to denser traffic.

[LaKiara]

From my experience, the average speed on German highways is around 130 km/h. Most economy car owners opt for a cruising speed of 110-130 km/h, which significantly improves fuel efficiency. Younger drivers in convertibles or sports cars love to push the limits on sunny days, often exceeding 160 km/h. However, speed limits are strictly enforced in construction zones and urban areas, with frequent 80 km/h signs. The real-time speed limit display on car navigation systems proves extremely useful for avoiding speeding tickets. During morning rush hours, truck convoys in the right lane often form moving barriers, requiring extra patience for overtaking maneuvers.