Driving in Southern Spain

We found it very easy to drive around southern Spain. (see Spain Road Trip from Madrid to Gibraltar, end of July posts)

We tend to drive the smaller roads, avoiding large freeway or toll roads. The roads are marked, signs are easy to see and read, freeways are especially easy to navigate. We found driving in the countryside pretty relaxing. Spanish drivers tend to follow the more important road rules.

There are plenty of bicyclists on the road. Most of the time, there is a lane especially for them.

Know how to read a map

The roadmaps in Spain are good, and you can navigate around the country very easily.

In the Spanish countryside, the drivers were courteous. It wasn't until we hit the Costa del Sol that we suddenly found ourselves on defensive driving (and much cursing) as we encountered the hurried and tense Brits.

Driving Brief: Spainish Road Signs

I had to drive out of my way just to say...Santa Fe

roads in the mountains

More mountain roads

Signs in the villages

On the way to the coast

Americans: know thy kilometres

Speed limit will be 120kph on all autopistas and autovias.  The speed limit on main roads (carreteras) is 90 kph. Secondary roads and rural roads will have their speed limits posted. All urban roads have a 50 kph speed limit, unless overidden with another speed limit.

To my fellow Egyptian drivers, in Spain, passing on the right (the inside lane) is illegal. Do not overtake if there is a solid white line dividing the traffic lanes. If the solid white line becomes a striped white line, then you can overtake.