L.M. Nelson

I will be traveling to Germany at the end of May for a week. I have been looking on the internet for driving directions from Frankfurt to Spangdahlem AFB in Germany and have been unsuccessful. Can anyone help me? I have never driven overseas before, and although I am pretty confident in my driving ability, I would like to be confident in getting myself to my destination as safely and expediently as possible.

Elizabeth

Hi, <BR>You might try CW lease routeplanner Europe. I am sorry, but I don't have the websiter address. Try a general search and something that leads you to in should pop up. <BR>Driving in Germany really isn't too bad, just make sure you don't always stay in the far left/fastest lane. People there drive fast, and have no patience for someone who is not consciencious and courteous to the one who drives faster.

Rex

www.cwlease.com <BR> <BR>and to Elizabeth - - another way of putting this is that Europeans show appropriate respect and politeness - - to drivers whose needs and preferences lead them to travel at the speeds at which their cars and their driving skills are very comfortable - - and competent. <BR> <BR>Unlike thick-headed Americans who get in the passing lane and sit there at 61 mph on open freeways - - at home and abroad. <BR> <BR>Give me the autobahn anyday.

Marco

<BR>To Elizabeth: <BR> <BR>In Germany, like in Italy or most of Europe, traffic should keep the right -except for passing- as a matter of highway code, unlike -as I gather- the US. <BR> <BR>When you move out of the left lane after passing you're no more extending a courtesy than you do in say not running a red light. <BR> <BR>Passing on the right outside cities, again opposite to the US, is one of the most dangerous and serious offense here. <BR> <BR>I'm really somewhat puzzled by the fact that apparently quite a few people concernes themselves about differences in 'dress code' and the likes but does not seems worried about possible crucial differences in traffic laws. <BR> <BR>Marco <BR>

bhensley

You will need a map and if at all possible a compass. Been to Spangdahlem many times driving from Mannheim. <BR>Biggest difference in driving (out than get out of the left lane) is the signs on the Autobahn do no say east and west or north south as they do here. You have to know the name of the towns in the direction you are traveling. So you better get you hands on a good map and study up. (the compass will help). <BR>

Jim

try www.spangdahlem.af.com and I'm sure the base will give you directions. I was stationed there, along time ago!

Ann

Since you asked for expedient, you should stick to the autobahn as much as possible. There are scenic routes on the smaller highways which take you over to and along the Mosel, but they have a lot of switchbacks and I wouldn't recommend them to a first-timer, especially if you are just getting off an overnight flight. Leaving the airport, you will take Autobahn 3 towards Limburg or Mainz, which will quickly intersect with Autobahn 66. Go towards Mainz, Bingen or Koblenz on 66. Sorry I don't remember which city is specifically listed on the signs at that junction, but bhensley is absolutely correct that the key to driving in Germany is to know the towns/cities/villages on your route because directional indicators are irrelevant. Anyway, you will be driving north on 66 towards Koblenz and then will head back south on Autobahn 48 when it intersects with 66 near Koblenz. Sounds roundabout, but is a quick drive and absolutely the way to go. You will exit at the town of Wittlich and take Highway B50 to Spangdahlem (this will be yellow signs and may say you're heading to Bitburg). Just be sure to be on B50 and you'll be okay... watch for signs to Spangdahlem and the AFB, it's well marked. Good luck... and do stay in the right hand lane unless you must pass, you won't feel threatened at 60-70 mph, lots of vehicles travel that speed! But once you build up your confidence, you'll find driving at 80 is a snap as long as you obey the rightly stringent rules of the road. Watch for signs along the autobahn that say STAU as this means there is a traffic jam ahead and can be dangerous on high-speed roads. However, once you clear the Frankfurt-Mainz areas, these autobahns are easy...

Ann

Oops.. sorry, should have noted that the interchange between autobhans 66 and 48 will be the one towards Trier. And the rental car company should have a pretty good map with the car... ask for one. That should help in case you happen to get turned around.

Heather

The best site that I've found: http://www.shell.com/es-en/ <BR> <BR>I've driven in Ireland, England, Italy, Wales, Austria and Germany. Germany was a breeze ... just stay out of the left lane. Once you're in a town, sometimes it's easy to "lose" your road or exit. If you don't speak German arm yourself with a few directional phrases and pleasantries. The Germans we encountered gave concise, excellent directions.