If you plan to travel by road in Spain, it is important that you know how tolls work. Tolls are a fee charged for the use of highways and toll roads, and they exist throughout the country. He The price of the toll can vary depending on various factors, such as distance traveled, vehicle class or season of the year, which can be confusing for many drivers.
Fortunately, there are various mobile apps and tools online that can help you calculate the price of tolls before starting your trip. We present some of the best options available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and plan your trip in the most efficient way possible.
What are tolls and why do they exist in Spain?
Tolls are a form of fee charged to drivers by the use of roads, bridges, tunnels and other types of transport infrastructure. In Spain, tolls are used as a source of revenue to finance the construction, maintenance, and improvement of the country's road and highway network.
Tolls are often levied on specific road sections, and are calculated based on distance traveled or time of use. Drivers can pay tolls in cash, by credit card or through electronic systems such as electronic tolls, which allow automatic payment without the need to stop at a toll booth. Although some drivers may find them expensive and inconvenient, tolls are an important source of financing for transport infrastructure in Spain.
Toll roads in Spain
All the toll roads in Spain They are those in which a toll is charged to be able to circulate through them. These roads are usually of high quality, with less traffic and save time on commutes. Despite the fact that in some cases they may be more expensive than conventional roads, tolls are a way of financing the construction and maintenance of these infrastructures.
Among the most important toll roads in Spain is the AP-7, which connects the Costa del Sol with the French border in Catalonia. This motorway is key for the transport of goods and tourism in the Mediterranean area and It is one of the longest in the country.. Another important toll motorway is the AP-68, which connects Bilbao with Zaragoza and saves time when traveling between the Basque Country and Aragon.
Additionally, hea AP-6 is another important toll highway which connects Villalba with Adanero and facilitates access to Castilla y León from the Community of Madrid. There is also the AP-53, which connects Santiago de Compostela with the Alto de Santo Domingo and is key to transport in Galicia. In general, toll roads in Spain are a convenient and fast option for getting around, but it is important to take their cost into account when planning a trip. Also, it is essential to respect traffic regulations and road safety on any type of road.
Freeways of Spain
In Spain, some highways that used to be tolled have become free. The Spanish government has ended the concession of these highways, which means that drivers no longer have to pay to use them. Between the highways that are now free are the AP-1, Autopista del Norte, which connects Armiñán (Vitoria) and Burgos. There is also the AP-2 that connects Zaragoza and El Vendrell, the AP-4 that connects the cities of Seville and Cádiz and the AP-7 in the sections that go from Alicante to Tarragona, Montmeló and El Papiol and Tarragona and La Jonquera.
Even the C-32 and C-33 motorways, which are under the jurisdiction of the Generalitat de Catalunya, are also free.
Applications to calculate tolls
Today, There are various mobile applications that allow drivers to calculate the price of tolls in Spain. These tools can be very useful for planning a road trip and knowing in advance the costs that the use of toll roads will entail. In this section, we are going to introduce you to some of the most popular applications for calculating tolls in Spain and their main features.
Waze
Waze is one of the most popular applications for calculating tolls in Spain. This app stands out for its ability to keep drivers updated on real-time traffic conditions. Not just for providing traffic information, Waze also provides alerts about construction, accidents, police, and other road hazards.
Another feature that makes Waze popular is its ability to change a driver's route instantly if there is heavy traffic. In this way, drivers can save time and get to their destination faster. Furthermore, this app also has an audio player feature that allows drivers to listen to music, podcasts, and more while using the app.
This app also offers accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA) information based on live traffic data. In addition, the app also helps drivers find the cheapest fuel station on their route, giving them saves money on fuel. Drivers can also use their car's display via Android Auto and choose from a variety of voices to guide them while driving. Finally, Waze is a very complete application that helps drivers reach their destination safely and quickly.
TollGuru Toll Calculator
TollGuru is an application that allows you to calculate the cost of tolls and fuel for different types of vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses and caravans. The app is available in several countries, including the United States, Mexico, Spain, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Italy. On the other hand, TollGuru offers a free integration for its decision engine in other applications and products related to mobility.
The app too Allows you to estimate the cost of fuel and provides information on the cheapest, fastest and best routes, taking into account tolls and traffic in real time. TollGuru is a great option for those who want to plan their trips in advance and save money on tolls and fuel.
Via Michelin
La ViaMichelin free app offers a wide range of features and services to make your trip easier and more enjoyable. It allows you to find your position with geolocation on interactive maps and plans, which include Michelin maps, reduced maps, satellite or aerial maps, and the new 3D map in navigation mode. In addition, you can quickly and accurately calculate your route by car, motorbike, bicycle or on foot from your position, your address or that of one of your contacts.
Offer psychological therapy to employees several route options possible with the duration of the trip based on traffic, distance traveled and estimated cost. You can customize your fuel consumption to most accurately calculate the cost of your trip, and you can also personalize your trip with routing options. The application allows you to find the cheapest service station near you or along your route, since the price of fuels is available for each service station in Spain, Italy and France. You can also enjoy a real-time GPS navigation system, with guidance based on the 3D Michelin map, GPS with simple and precise voice guidance, alerts of danger zones and traffic incidents in real time.
The application also offers you real-time traffic information to anticipate your journeys. You will find on the map with the green-orange-red color codes the roads with fluid or dense traffic, as well as the closed roads. You can even find the selection of hotels and restaurants from the Michelin Guides.
Tips for using apps to calculate tolls
If you are thinking of using a mobile application to calculate the toll on your road trips, here are some tips to get the most out of it:
- research and compare: Before downloading any app, be sure to research and compare different options. Read reviews and opinions from other users to make sure the app you choose is trustworthy and accurate.
- Check the updated prices: Make sure the app is up to date and shows the latest toll prices. It is important to note that prices can change over time and the application must be up to date to avoid surprises down the road.
- Know the payment options: Make sure the app lets you know all the payment options available on the road you're taking. In this way, you can decide which is the best option for you and avoid penalties for non-payment.
- plan your route: Some applications allow you to plan your route and calculate the toll based on the distance traveled and the tolls on the route. Use this feature to plan your trip and have a clear idea of the total cost.
- Keep the app handy: Make sure you have the app open and ready to use before you arrive at the toll booth. This way, you can calculate the cost quickly and avoid unnecessary delays at the toll.
Remember that these applications are a useful tool to plan your trips and calculate the cost of tolls, but you should always pay attention to the road signs and the instructions of the toll workers to avoid fines or accidents.