---
title: "The AVUS"
date: 2022-12-13
last_modified: 2026-01-05T09:00:53+01:00
generated_at: 2026-05-23T10:47:30Z
url: "https://www.stadtmuseum.de/en/article/the-avus"
description: "The AVUS was used as a race track until the end of the 1990s. Today, it forms the northern section of the A115 motorway. We tell its story."
image: "https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/avus-grosser-preis-von-deutschland-1959.jpg"
language: "en-US"
---

# The AVUS

![Das Publikum auf den Tribünen winkt den vorbeidonnernden Rennwagen](https://stiftung-stadtmuseum-berlin.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/sm_2016-95801022572-e1673967336495-298x300.jpg)

**It is considered the first road built exclusively for cars and was also long regarded as the fastest race track in the world, where numerous records were set: the Berlin Avus.**

The Avus is regarded as the world’s first automobile-only road and, for a long time, also has been deemed to be the fastest race track in the world on which countless records were set. Today it forms the northern section of the A115 motorway, but even until the end of the 1990’s, it was also still being used as a racetrack. Its chequered past begins at the time of the German Empire and reflects the dramatic history of Europe during the 20th century.

![](https://stiftung-stadtmuseum-berlin.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/a115_berlin_avus_alteste_autobahn_der_welt-241x300.jpg)

Anyone who has ever travelled by car to Berlin, approaching from the south west, is sure to know the stand at the side of the road close to the radio tower. By the time you reach it, you will already have been on Germany's oldest motorway for the past ten kilometres. The stand is a still recognisable “vestige” of the race track which used to have turning loops at its southern and northern ends. The two loops formed the only curves of the race course which in those days was 19.6 kilometres in length. They are no longer there now. Notably the 18-metre-wide banking on the north side and AVUS’ reputation as the world’s fasted race track form part of its legendary status.

##### Participants

Many thanks to the [Berlin Sports Museum](https://www.sportmuseum-berlin.de/) and the [Collection eAUTOBAHN.de](http://eautobahn.de/) for their friendly cooperation and for providing the pictures

## Weitere Beiträge

- [ ![Die Straße überspannendes Torhaus mit zwei Durchfahrten, Turm und Dach-Aufschrift Automobil-Strasse](https://stiftung-stadtmuseum-berlin.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/avus-noerdliches-torhaus-300x189.jpg)

### Die Avus: Beginn und „glorreiche” Zeiten

Die Geschichte der ersten reinen Autostraße der Welt | Teil 1 (1921 – 1945)

Short-Story, 6 min Lesezeit

](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/en/story/start-and-glory-days)
- [ ![Drei silberne Rennwagen mit Fahrern und Mechanikern vor dem Start auf der Avus](https://stiftung-stadtmuseum-berlin.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/avus-silberpfeile-1954-300x214.jpg)

### Die Avus: Wiederaufbau und Nachkriegszeit

Die Geschichte der ersten reinen Autostraße der Welt | Teil 2 (ab 1945)

Short-Story, 5 min Lesezeit

](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/en/story/reconstruction-post-war-era-and-present-day)