To all- Just returned from 2 weeks in Germany. Try to avoid the section of the A6 autobahn west from Heilbronn to where it intersects with the A5 autobahn around Reilingen at all costs. It was a disaster going West and even worse going East. Two of the 3 lanes going east were closed off by the police at the intersection with A5 on Friday afternoon.

Unfortunately - if it's not there, it's somewhere else! Traffic on the autobahn is second to none (with the possible exception of the M25 around London) Thanks for the warning, it's another month before I get there - and have to use that same road - I'll post back if it hasn't changed.

HOw is "rush hour" traffic in Munich? We suppose to drive from Salzburg to Munich arriving mid-afternoon. Any tips to avoid the traffic?.

ABP- We also drove from Salzburg arriving in Munich about 2 PM Monday afternoon. But we didn't have to drive downtown because the hotel was very close to the end of the freeway. Where are you driving to in Munich?
KennyL

We are driving to Hotel Uhland near Theresienwiese Oktoberfest grounds. The day before we will stay in Zell am See, Austria and drive to Salzburg for the day and head to Munich. I want to get into to the city and "settled" before dinner.

While driving from Frankfurt to Berlin on the Autobahn (last year it was, me thinks...), there was a h u g e traffic jam just before Weimar. Conclusion: avoid the FaM-Berlin autobahn at all cost (on a second thought, I think it was a traffic marmalede)

abp- Be sure to gas up before leaving Salzburg- the gas is about 20% lower in Austria.
As far as driving directions go, you will be on A8 heading towards Munich. Stay on A8- at exit 91 it turns into Rosenheimer Strasse. Rosenheimer St. makes a half left and then crosses Ludwigsbrucke (Ludwig's Bridge). The street name changes to Zweibrucken Strasse and runs into Isartor Platz about 4 blocks past the bridge. At Isartor Platz turn left onto Frauen Strasse. About 4 blocks later Frauen Strasse makes a half left and the name changes to Blumen Strasse, which makes a sweeping 90 degree right turn about 4 blocks after the half left. About 3 blocks later you will run into a traffic circle at Sendlinger Tor where you should make a left turn onto Lindwurm Strasse. After 2 blocks make a right turn for one block then turn left onto Nussbaum Strasse. Two blocks later you will run into another square at Beethoven Platz. Make a half right onto Lessing Strasse and 1 block later make a left onto Uhland Strasse. The hotel is on the left hand side of this street.
Although the directions may sound a little complicated, you might want to go to Mapquest.com and pull up a map of Munich and you will see that it really isn't overly complex. Making a left turn at Sendlinger Tor might not be possible so you may have to go straight on and make a U-turn and come back to Sendlinger Tor to get onto Lindwurm Strasse.
I would suggest that you leave Salzburg by 2 so you can get to your hotel by 4 and beat most of the traffic, although I don't think the traffic will be too bad following the route outlined above.
Enjoy Munich and lift one for me... KennyL

abp,

My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at the Uhland last sumer. It's a lovely, well-run accommodation, located a very short stroll from the Oktoberfest grounds. The hotel sits on a quiet residential street, only a short walk to the subway, a few stops from Marienplatz. We were won over by the Uhland's friendly, personal service (the reception desk is staffed round-the-clock).

Enjoy the Uhland and the splendid city that is Munich.