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autopista means highway; freeway — a common term in Travel Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 5, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

autopista

noun • /[ow-toh-PEES-tah]/

highway; freeway

Example:

Toma la autopista para llegar más rápido.

Take the highway to get there faster.

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🧠 What does autopista mean?

An 'autopista' is a major controlled-access highway, similar to a freeway or motorway in English. It's designed for high-speed travel and typically has multiple lanes in each direction, separated by a central reservation. Autopistas often have tolls (peajes) and limited access points.

📚 Extra examples

  • Tomamos la autopista para llegar más rápido a la playa.
    We took the highway to get to the beach faster.
  • Había mucho tráfico en la autopista esta mañana.
    There was a lot of traffic on the highway this morning.
  • El límite de velocidad en la autopista es de 120 km/h.
    The speed limit on the highway is 120 km/h.
  • Conducir por la autopista es generalmente más seguro que por carreteras secundarias.
    Driving on the highway is generally safer than on secondary roads.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'highway' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'highway' is 'autopista'. You can also use 'autovía', which is similar but might have fewer access restrictions and tolls.
How do you pronounce 'autopista' in Spanish?
It's pronounced ow-toh-PEES-tah, with the stress on the 'pees' syllable.
How do you use 'autopista' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: 'Tomamos la autopista para ir a Madrid' (We took the highway to go to Madrid), or 'La autopista estaba muy congestionada' (The highway was very congested).
What is the English translation of 'autopista'?
The English translation of 'autopista' is 'highway' or 'freeway'.
Does 'autopista' change for gender or number?
No, 'autopista' is always feminine and its plural is 'autopistas'.
Is 'autopista' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'autopista' is a common word, especially when discussing travel or transportation.
Does 'autopista' have slang or double meanings?
Not really. It's a straightforward word. However, in some regions, 'autopista' might be used interchangeably with 'autovía', even if technically there's a difference.
Is 'autopista' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While the core meaning remains the same, there might be regional preferences for 'autopista' versus 'autovía'. It's always a good idea to understand the local road classifications within a specific country or region.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "autopista"

Synonyms: autovía
Opposites: carretera secundaria, camino

💡 Did You Know?

Spain has one of the largest networks of autopistas in the world, covering thousands of kilometers!

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