Bundesautobahn 5

Bundesautobahn 5 is a motorway in Hesse and Baden-Württemberg that stretches roughly 440 kilometers from Hattenbach in central Hesse to the Swiss border near Basel. It runs largely along the Rhine valley and links several major cities in southwestern Germany.

Planning and construction of individual sections began in the 1930s as part of the early German motorway network. Further segments were completed and expanded after World War II to handle growing traffic between economic centers.

The designation follows the numbering system of German long-distance roads and marks one of the central north-south connections in the country. Commuters and long-distance travelers use it daily to move between the economic regions of Frankfurt and Basel.

Numerous rest stops and service stations line the route, where travelers can take a break. Electronic display boards provide information about traffic jams, roadworks and weather conditions, allowing drivers to adjust their route if needed.

The section near Karlsruhe passes through expansive forest areas that contrast sharply with the densely populated zones around Frankfurt and Heidelberg. In some places, wildlife bridges cross the roadway, allowing animals to move safely between forest sections.