The Fastest Speed Ever Recorded on Germany’s Autobahn

432.7 km/h (268.9 mph) is the fastest speed ever recorded on the Autobahn, achieved by Rudolf Caracciola on January 28, 1938, in a specially streamlined Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen on the Frankfurt–Darmstadt stretch (now part of the A5). The run, measured over a “flying kilometer,” set a public-road speed record on the Autobahn that still stands. While modern hypercar attempts—most notably a 417 km/h (259 mph) Bugatti Chiron run published in 2022—have approached the mark, none have surpassed the 1938 figure on the German network.

The 1938 Record: Caracciola’s 432.7 km/h Run

In the late 1930s, Germany’s new high-speed highways became venues for headline-grabbing record attempts. On January 28, 1938, Mercedes-Benz driver Rudolf Caracciola piloted a highly streamlined W125 Rekordwagen to 432.7 km/h on the Reichsautobahn between Frankfurt and Darmstadt. The record was timed over a designated flying kilometer—a measured distance where the car enters at speed and is timed only over the middle portion for accuracy.

The same day, Auto Union star Bernd Rosemeyer was killed on the Autobahn while attempting to beat Caracciola’s mark in a rival streamliner, a tragedy that underscored the extreme risk of pushing public-road speeds to the limit. Despite vast advances in automotive performance since, the specific combination of conditions, measurement protocols, and the unique stretch of Autobahn used in 1938 have kept Caracciola’s figure in the record books for the German network.

Where it Happened and How It Was Measured

The run took place on a straight, level section of the Frankfurt–Darmstadt Autobahn—then prized for its long, flat concrete “Rennstrecke” (racing stretch). Official timekeepers measured the attempt over a flying kilometer, a standard approach for record runs that reduces the influence of acceleration phases. The result is recognized as a public-road speed record on the Autobahn; it is not a land-speed record (which uses different rules and surfaces) but stands as the highest documented speed achieved on the German highway network.

Modern High-Speed Attempts on the Autobahn

Although Germany maintains many Autobahn sections without a general speed limit, verifiable runs approaching the 1938 mark are exceedingly rare. Aerodynamics, traffic, road conditions, and safety considerations make modern top-speed drives on public highways the exception rather than the norm, and most manufacturers conduct maximum-velocity testing on closed proving grounds.

The following list highlights notable Autobahn speed milestones that provide context for how the 1938 figure compares with modern attempts.

• January 28, 1938 — 432.7 km/h (268.9 mph): Rudolf Caracciola, Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen, Frankfurt–Darmstadt (now A5). Widely cited as the fastest speed ever recorded on the Autobahn.
• 2011 — Approximately 402.5 km/h (250 mph): Radim Passer, Bugatti Veyron, on an unrestricted Autobahn section (publicized video evidence).
• 2021 (video published in 2022) — 417 km/h (259 mph): Radim Passer, Bugatti Chiron, on the A2 near Magdeburg. This became one of the highest documented modern Autobahn speeds and drew sharp criticism from German authorities and road-safety groups.

Taken together, these milestones show that while modern hypercars have approached extraordinary velocities on the Autobahn, none have eclipsed the 432.7 km/h set in 1938 on the German network.

Legal and Safety Context

Germany’s Autobahn system combines stretches without a general speed limit with many controlled sections, and a recommended advisory speed (Richtgeschwindigkeit) of 130 km/h applies network-wide. Driving at very high speed is not illegal per se on unrestricted stretches, but it can still lead to penalties if authorities determine it was dangerous or reckless given traffic, weather, or road conditions. High-profile runs, like the 417 km/h Bugatti drive publicized in 2022, have intensified debate over whether a national limit should be introduced; as of 2025, no universal Autobahn speed limit has been enacted.

Why the 1938 Mark Still Stands

Surpassing 432.7 km/h on a public Autobahn requires exceptional road conditions, clear traffic, favorable weather, and extensive safety measures—factors that rarely align on an open highway. Automakers now conduct top-speed verifications on closed, controlled facilities (e.g., proving grounds with banked straights), where risks to the public are eliminated and measurement is more precise. As a result, the 1938 Autobahn record remains a historical outlier: a product of its time, place, and purpose.

Summary

The fastest speed ever recorded on the Autobahn is 432.7 km/h (268.9 mph), set by Rudolf Caracciola in a Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen on January 28, 1938, between Frankfurt and Darmstadt. Despite modern hypercars and occasional high-speed runs—such as a documented 417 km/h Chiron drive published in 2022—no verified attempt has surpassed the 1938 figure on Germany’s public highway network.

What’s the fastest anyone has gone on the Autobahn?

The highest speed officially recorded on the German Autobahn was 432.7 km/h (268 mph) by Rudolf Caracciola in 1938, using the Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen on a dedicated stretch of the road for land speed record attempts. While many sections of the Autobahn have no mandatory speed limits, there are no official “speeding” records for typical drivers, as authorities still apply penalties for dangerous speeds, even in unlimited zones.
 
Land Speed Record Attempts (Official Record) 

• Record Holder: Rudolf Caracciola
• Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen
• Speed: 432.7 km/h (268 mph)
• Year: 1938
• Context: The speed was set on a specially designed section of the Autobahn, the Dessauer Rennstrecke, for high-speed record attempts.

Recent “Record” Speeds & Their Context

• In July 2025, a motorist was caught driving at 199 mph (320 km/h) on the Autobahn. 
• This speed was recorded in a section where a speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph) was in effect. 
• This event is not a true speed record but rather the fastest speed logged by a speed camera at that specific location. 
• The driver faced fines, points on their license, and a driving ban. 

Important Note:
The term “Autobahn speeding record” can be confusing. 

• Land speed records Opens in new tabare specific events using specialized vehicles on dedicated parts of the road. 
• “Record speeds” caught by police Opens in new tabare often the highest speed clocked by a speed camera on a section with a speed limit, or a very high speed that is considered reckless even on an unrestricted highway. 

What is the highest speed you can go on the Autobahn?

There isn’t a universal max speed limit on Germany’s Autobahn; while many stretches have no general speed limit for certain vehicle classes, posted limits are enforced in areas with construction, high accident rates, or urbanization, and an advisory speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) applies on unrestricted sections, with drivers potentially sharing liability for accidents if exceeding this speed. 
Unrestricted Sections

• No Mandatory Limit: On many rural sections of the Autobahn, there is no mandatory maximum speed for cars and motorcycles. 
• Advisory Speed: A recommended speed limit of 130 km/h (around 81 mph) applies on these unrestricted stretches. 

Restricted Sections

• Posted Limits: Many parts of the Autobahn have posted, temporary, or permanent speed limits, which are signaled by signs. 
• Common Reasons for Limits: These restrictions are common in urbanized areas, near construction zones, or on stretches known to be accident-prone. 

General Rules

• Reasonable Speed: Regardless of posted or recommended limits, drivers must always drive at a speed that allows them to maintain control of their vehicle, adapting to conditions like traffic, road conditions, visibility, and weather. 
• Liability: Driving above the advisory 130 km/h on unrestricted sections can increase your liability in the event of an accident, even if you weren’t directly at fault. 
• Enforcement: Speed limits are enforced, though a small tolerance may be applied for infractions. 

What is the death rate on the Autobahn compared to the US?

The fatality rate on Germany’s Autobahn is significantly lower than that of the US Interstate Highway System, with rates such as 2.7 or 4.5 fatalities per billion kilometers driven on the Autobahn compared to 4.5 or even 5.07 deaths per billion miles on US highways, depending on the source and year. This lower rate is attributed to factors like a more rigorous driver training and licensing system, strict adherence to traffic laws, well-maintained road conditions, and a generally lower overall per capita fatality rate in Germany compared to the US. 
Fatalities per Billion Vehicle Kilometers

• Autobahn (Germany): Approximately 2.7 to 4.5 fatalities per billion kilometers. 
• US Interstates: Approximately 4.5 to 5.07 fatalities per billion miles (which converts to around 2.8 to 3.15 per billion kilometers), suggesting a higher rate than the Autobahn. 

Key Contributing Factors to Autobahn Safety

• Rigorous Driver Training: Germany’s driver licensing process is more difficult and expensive, resulting in generally better-trained drivers. 
• Strict Adherence to Rules: German drivers, especially on the Autobahn, tend to follow traffic laws closely. 
• Vehicle Maintenance: All vehicles in Germany are thoroughly checked for safety every two years. 
• Road Design and Maintenance: The Autobahns are exceptionally well-maintained and constructed to high safety standards. 
• German Driving Culture: A culture of mutual respect and responsibility on the road, including maintaining appropriate distances, contributes to safety. 

Overall Road Safety in Germany vs. US

• Germany’s overall per capita road fatality rate is substantially lower than that of the United States. 
• Despite having some sections without speed limits, the Autobahn has a surprisingly good safety record, with less than 10% of fatal accidents in Germany occurring on its highways. 

What is the fastest speeding ticket in Germany?

A motorist was clocked driving at more than 320 kph (199 mph) on the Autobahn west of Berlin, a record high at more than 124 mph above the speed limit, German police said. The speedster, who was not identified, was caught while racing along the A2 highway near Burg on July 28.