ExpresswaySwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


3. Expressway

An expressway is a road intended to carry through traffic efficiently, usually at higher speeds than ordinary roads. Expressways often have limited access, multiple lanes, separated carriageways or grade-separated junctions, but their design and legal status vary between countries.

An expressway is not always a motorway. It may have intersections, traffic lights or direct access, and the permitted road users, speed limits and special rules depend on local signs and regulations.

Expressway begins in 1 000 metres, with no vignette required, on national road 9S. (Valais, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to an expressway in Switzerland?

The terms are Autostrasse in German, semi-autoroute in French and semiautostrada in Italian. These roads are separate from motorways.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 4a,35-36; Signalling Ordinance article 45

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Start of an expressway. Start of an expressway.

English • Traffic sign 4.03 • Expressway.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 4.03 • Autostrasse.

Français • Signal 4.03 • Semi-autoroute.

Italiano • Segnale 4.03 • Semiautostrada.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-06-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 4.03, PDF page 113. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

End of the expressway. End of the expressway.

English • Traffic sign 4.04 • End of expressway.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 4.04 • Ende der Autostrasse.

Français • Signal 4.04 • Fin de la semi-autoroute.

Italiano • Segnale 4.04 • Fine della semiautostrada.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-06-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 4.04, PDF page 113. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

What speed limit applies to cars on an expressway in Switzerland?

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general maximum is 100 km/h. Obey lower posted limits and slow down when traffic, weather or visibility requires it. Other vehicle classes can have lower limits.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 4a,35-36; Signalling Ordinance article 45

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Who may use an expressway in Switzerland?

Only eligible motor vehicles and combinations that are capable and legally permitted to reach at least 80 km/h may normally use these roads. Pedestrians and bicycles are excluded. Congestion and safety can require a lower actual speed.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 4a,35-36; Signalling Ordinance article 45

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

What should I do if I miss an expressway exit in Switzerland?

Continue to the next exit and choose a safe onward route. Do not reverse or make a U-turn to reach a missed exit.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 4a,35-36; Signalling Ordinance article 45

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Signalling Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...