Highways in Poland

Highways in Poland are special roads that help people travel quickly and safely across the country. These roads are part of the national roads network and come in two types: motorways and expressways. Both types have special features like separate roads that cross over others, rest areas, and places for wildlife to cross safely.

The building of modern highways in Poland started in the 1970s, but it went very slowly at first. By 2000, only a small part of the planned highways had been built. After that, more highways were added each decade. As of March 2026, there are over 5,000 kilometers of highways open for use, with more being built.

Highways in Poland have different speed limits. On motorways, drivers can go up to 140 kilometers per hour, while on expressways the limit is 120 kilometers per hour. Some stretches of motorway require a special payment to use.

Technical parameters

Motorways in Poland are special roads for cars only. They have two lanes in each direction, separated by a middle area, and special crossings for animals. These roads also have extra spaces for emergencies and places to rest.

Expressways are similar but designed for slower speeds. They might have tighter curves, narrower lanes, and sometimes only one row of traffic. They also usually have interchanges, or places to switch roads, more often than motorways.

List of motorways and expressways

In 2004, Poland planned a network of highways about 7,200 kilometers long. Since then, the plan has grown to around 8,200 kilometers. This network includes 16 long highways running north to south and west to east, plus 9 shorter ones.

As of January 1, 2026, most of Poland's highways (90%) have two lanes in each direction. Some sections have three or more lanes, and a few are single-lane roads that might be widened later.

Cross-sections

Substandard highways

One older highway, A4 between Krzyżowa and Wrocław, was built long ago and has not been fully updated. It lacks emergency lanes and has a lower speed limit. Plans are in place to improve it soon.

Speed limits

Other restrictions

On motorways in Poland, certain vehicles like pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds, and farm vehicles are not allowed. The minimum speed on motorways is usually 40 km/h, but it can be lower in special situations such as heavy snow, ice, or if a car breaks down. Stopping on motorways is only allowed in very special cases, and driving backwards is not permitted. Towing is not allowed on motorways, but it is allowed on expressways.

Tolls

Since 2023, all state-owned highways are free for cars and small trucks. Some parts still have old toll equipment, but they are no longer used.

The private parts of A1, A2 and A4 highways charge a fee. These sections have special signs that say Płatna.

Vehicles over 3.5 tons and buses

Buses and bigger vehicles must use e-Toll when driving on Polish roads, not just highways. You can find more information on the e-Toll website.

Traffic volumes

Traffic on the roads in Poland has grown a lot since 1989. In 2025, the average number of vehicles on national roads each day was 14,880. This is 395% more than in 1990. As more people use the roads, some roads became very busy. By 2010, 1,389 kilometers of roads were too busy. But after 2010, new highways opened, and the number of busy roads started to go down, from 1,389 kilometers in 2010 to 1,121 kilometers in 2020.

The most recent measurements were done in 2025. Some highways had the most traffic, while others had the least.

History

Before World War II

The first ideas for a national highway network in Poland began in the time between the world wars. Professor Melchior Wladyslaw Nestorowicz from the Warsaw University of Technology led the effort, organizing three Road Congresses where experts discussed building such a network. In 1939, he proposed an ambitious plan for almost 5,000 kilometers of major roads, inspired by plans in Germany and Italy.

1945 – 1972

After World War II, Poland inherited some highway fragments from Nazi Germany. Many bridges were destroyed, and repairs were slow. The first post-war years saw only a few repairs. By the mid-1990s, most of these highways remained in their 1945 condition.

In the 1970s

Highway construction began in the 1970s. Plans included building the Gliwice-Kraków motorway and adding a second carriageway to the Wrocław-Gliwice motorway. The Warsaw-Katowice motorway, known as "Gierkówka," was also planned. In the late 1970s, construction of motorways started, continuing into the next decade.

In the 1980s

The first motorways and expressways began construction near the end of the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Major routes planned as motorways included A1, A2, and A4, while other main routes were planned as expressways. However, progress was slow, with only about 21 kilometers of highways opened per year in the whole country during the 1980s.

In the 1990s

In the III Republic of Poland, plans for motorway S3 were changed to motorway A3, though this decision was later reversed. Plans were also introduced for motorway A8 Łódź – Wrocław – Bolków, which was later changed. Sections of Szczecin bypass (A6) and Olszyna – Krzywa (then A12, now A4/A18) were promoted to motorways, despite being in poor condition.

In the 2000s

By the start of 2000, most national and international traffic used regular national roads with intersections and pedestrian crossings, often passing through town centers. Only a small portion of modern dual-carriageway motorways and expressways existed, along with some single-carriageway expressways and old Nazi German motorways that had not been resurfaced.

Before the EU membership

Highway construction accelerated at the beginning of the 21st century, focusing mainly on the west–east motorways A4 and A2. In 2002, renovation of the A4 from Krzywa to Wrocław began, including new surfaces and bridge reconstructions. This period also saw Poland introducing motorway tolls, starting in 2000 for the A4 section between Mysłowice and Kraków.

In European Union

May 1, 2004, marked a turning point as Poland joined the European Union, gaining access to large funds for road construction and upgrades. This led to a significant increase in highway development. Before 2004, only Katowice and Kraków were connected by a highway. By 2005, A4 connected Wrocław with Katowice and Kraków, and in 2009, it reached Germany. In 2006, A2 connected Poznań with Łódź. Many town bypasses were also constructed, often with only one carriageway built initially.

2011 – 2015

From 2011 to 2015, 1,563 kilometers of motorways and expressways were opened, matching the total from all previous history. Focus was on connecting Poland's largest cities, especially those hosting UEFA Euro 2012 events, and extending A4 towards Ukraine.

2016 – 2020

After the peak investments before Euro 2012, few new road construction contracts were signed in 2012 and 2013. This resulted in few sections opening in 2015 and 2016, many delayed from the Euro 2012 schedule. In 2016, the last delayed fragment of A4 between Kraków and Ukraine was opened, completing A4 as the first major Polish highway. The delayed bypass of Łódź was also finished in 2016.

Since 2014, the number of signed contracts increased again, leading to more road openings from 2017 onwards.

2021 – 2025

Highway development continued at a high pace in the 2020s, focusing on new highways in less populated eastern Poland, including international routes Via Carpatia and Via Baltica.

2026 – present

The tempo of highway development remains high. Sections opened and planned for 2026 – 2030 include extensions and completions of various highways, with a focus on international routes like Via Carpatia and Via Baltica.

Total length of highways by year