road network Slovakia
If you're travelling on the roads of Slovakia, it doesn't hurt to familiarise yourself with the road system in order to avoid stressful situations.
General overview of the road network
The road system in Slovakia is divided into several tiers. There are motorways, expressways, and roads of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class. The motorway and expressway network in Slovakia consists of 552 km of motorways and 320 km of expressways.
It's important to know that you need a vignette for motorways and expressways. Like many other European countries, Slovakia charges tolls in order to finance the maintenance and expansion of the road infrastructure.
Which vehicles need a vignette?
Tolls apply on motorways and expressways. All vehicles under 3.5t gross weight (motorcycles are exempt) need a digital vignette, while vehicles over 3.5t gross weight must pay a distance-based toll and require a toll box (emýto).
The vignette requirement does not apply to vehicles over 3.5t gross weight (except motorhomes, which are only subject to the vignette requirement, regardless of their weight). Instead, a distance-based toll is charged, which is calculated based on the kilometres driven, the vehicle class (number of axles), and the emission class (pollutant levels). This distance-based toll is recorded using a transponder, i.e. a transmitting device (on-board unit). This means the amount due can be automatically debited. Therefore, you must have such a transmitting device installed in your vehicle beforehand. The distance-based toll covers motorways, expressways, and, in part, roads of the first (national road) and second class (regional road/state road).
Motorways
There are four motorways (Diaľnice) in Slovakia. Even though that may sound like very few, they allow you to reach all major destinations and the capital quickly and easily. Even if you're travelling to Slovakia from other countries, you'll end up on one of these motorways. The signs, which have a red background with white road names and a preceding "D", indicate the motorways.
Motorway D1: The D1 is the longest and most important motorway in Slovakia. Among other things, this motorway connects the two largest cities (Bratislava and Košice). It runs through almost the entire country.
Motorway D2: The D2 is not as long as the D1. The 80 km long motorway connects Prague, Bratislava, and Budapest, making it a reliable way to travel from the Czech Republic to Hungary. It begins in Brodské, at the border crossing with the Czech Republic, and ends in the town of Čunovo.
Motorway D3: The D3 branches off from the D1 and is shorter than both the D1 and D2. The 66 km long motorway runs via Žilina and Čadca to Skalité. You can drive on this route all the way to the border with Poland. Despite its shorter length, this motorway is an important connection.
Motorway D4: The D4 is thus the shortest motorway in Slovakia and forms a ring road around the capital, Bratislava. Due to its unusual, circular route, this motorway stands out in particular.
Expressways
In addition to the motorways, there are eight expressways in Slovakia. They are similar to motorways. They are marked with an "R". Some of the expressways are not yet fully completed, but are generally very modern and easy to drive on.
Expressway R1: The R1 runs from Trnava to Ružomberok via Nitra, Zvolen, Banská, and Bystrica. In Ružomberok, it meets the D1 motorway. It has a length of around 270 km.
Expressway R2: The R2 runs from the west to the east of the country, from Trenčín to Košice. There it meets the D1. At 337 km, it is the longest expressway in Slovakia.
Expressway R3: The R3 is particularly interesting if you are travelling to Slovakia from Poland or Hungary. The R3 runs from Trstená in the north to Šahy in the south.
Expressway R4: The R4 runs all the way to the Hungarian border. It begins at Vyšný Komárnik and runs towards the border via Svidník, Prešov, and Košice to Milhosť.
Expressway R5: The R5 is only 2 km long and connects the Czech border with two districts of Svrčinovec.
Expressway R6: The R6 is planned to run from Lysá pod Makytou to Beluša via Púchov, all the way to the Czech border.
Expressway R7: The R7 enables travel from Bratislava to Lučenec.
Expressway R8: The R8 is planned to run from Nitra to Hradište via Topoľčany, along the Nitra River.
Due to construction sites and planned construction work, there may be closures and delays, as some expressways are still under construction. Be sure to check the current situation again before your trip in order to plan your route.
Roads of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class
Roads of the 1st class: These roads are comparable to national roads. They are therefore located directly on the borders or on the motorway network. They are marked with "I/number". For example, I/74 (national road from Strážske to the border with Ukraine). The number is two digits long.
Roads of the 2nd class: Roads of the 2nd class are comparable to state or regional roads. They are marked with "II/number". However, unlike the marking for roads of the 1st class, the number is three digits long.
Roads of the 3rd class: Roads of the 3rd class can be compared to local roads. They connect smaller towns and are therefore particularly important for residents. They are marked with "III/number", where the number is four digits long.
European roads
As in other countries, the European roads in Slovakia are marked with a white number on a green sign. There are 11 European roads in Slovakia. For example, the E 50 and the E 65.
Road quality
Especially the motorways and expressways are in very good condition and therefore don't require much adjustment. Outside towns and towards the mountain passes, roads can also be uneven and unpaved. Nevertheless, the roads are safe and you don't need to worry that driving will feel like a rollercoaster ride due to poor road quality. Simply check your route beforehand on Google Maps, or ask someone familiar with the area if you want to venture into the unknown and leave the well-known roads behind.
Special roads
The Little Carpathians Wine Route
If you like wine and vineyards, or simply winemaking villages with castles and palaces, you will certainly enjoy the Wine Route. The Wine Route begins in Bratislava and takes you from there along 60 km through the Carpathians. The route passes through several small and large winemaking villages, past castles and palaces connected to wine production. You can sample numerous top-quality wines at some of the wineries located there.
Čertovica Pass
There are several mountain pass roads, as ⅔ of the country consists of the Carpathians. As a result, these are significantly more demanding than most other roads. In winter, snow and ice can quickly appear there. That's why you should keep the winter tyre requirement in mind during this season. For trucks, snow chains may even be essential. The highest road pass in Slovakia is the Čertovica Pass. At an altitude of 1,323 m, it crosses the Low Tatras mountain range. The 41 km stretch winds through beautiful landscapes and scenic views.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
Driving in Slovakia won't seem much more difficult than what you're used to. The roads are mostly in good condition, and the classification of the different roads within the road network is logically structured. You can enjoy beautiful landscapes on the country roads and also get from one place to another quickly on the motorways and expressways. The borders with other countries are also easy to reach.
If you would like to learn more about the traffic regulations in Slovakia, you can find further information on traffic regulations in our guide. You can also explore Slovakia by motorhome. The beautiful landscapes and great parking spots are just waiting for you. If you would like to know more about travelling through Slovakia with a motorhome, feel free to read our article on travelling with a motorhome.
We wish you a pleasant trip to Slovakia and hope you enjoy exploring this diverse country. You can find further information on tolls in Slovakia in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and see the appropriate toll products. If you have any questions, we are happy to help at any time via email.
