Berlin to Warsaw Distance 2026: 570 km, ~$59 in Fuel

Berlin to Warsaw is 570 km via Poznan — about 5.5 hours of driving in normal traffic, and roughly $59 of petrol for an average car. The single border on the route is a Schengen crossing, where the motorway limit rises from 130 km/h in Germany to 140 km/h in Poland and the toll system changes with it.

Your case: That $59 is an average car, not yours — enter your own fuel type and consumption in the road trip cost calculator to price this leg for the car you will actually be driving.

The toll picture flips at the Polish border, though not in the way most guides describe it. Germany’s Autobahn charges a passenger car nothing. Poland is mixed: e-TOLL is the satellite system that bills lorries by the kilometre, but the A2 between the border and Konin is a concession motorway where cars pay at a barrier — card or zloty, so have both. Further east the state-run sections and the S-road expressways are free for cars.

What the Distance Box Doesn’t Tell You

The kilometres are the easy part — your search results already showed you those. Here is what actually costs money on this drive, and what catches people out:

• Germany — no motorway toll or vignette for cars. No tolls or vignettes for passenger cars. Trucks >7.5t pay per-km via Toll Collect OBU. Some tunnels have separate charges (Herren/Warnow tunnel: ~€6).
• Poland — mixed. The A2 concession section from the border to Konin charges cars at barriers; most state motorway sections and the S-road expressways are free for passenger cars. e-TOLL replaced viaTOLL in 2021 and bills lorries by GPS, not cars at the gate.

In short: Free in Germany, e-TOLL in Poland. Sort it before you set off, not at the first barrier.

Route Overview

The drive from Berlin to Warsaw covers approximately 570 km and takes around 5.5 hours under normal traffic conditions.

Via: Poznan

Key Facts at a Glance

🛣️ Plan your toll: Vignette Calculator — Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania pricing.

Border Crossing: Germany to Poland

Both Germany and Poland are in the Schengen Area. Border crossings are usually seamless with no passport control. However, carry your documents — random checks do occur.

What Changes at the Border

Stricter alcohol limit ahead. Poland has a lower BAC limit (0.02) than Germany (0.05). Adjust accordingly before crossing.

Estimated Fuel Cost

Based on average consumption of 7 litres per 100 km and current fuel prices:

Fuel is cheaper in Poland. Fill up before crossing the border if heading the other direction.

Use our Fuel Cost Calculator for a precise estimate based on your vehicle.

Required Equipment

Carry the correct equipment to avoid fines at roadside checks:

Germany:

• Required: Warning Triangle, Reflective Vest, First Aid Kit
• Recommended: Fire Extinguisher, Spare Bulbs

Poland:

• Required: Warning Triangle, Fire Extinguisher
• Recommended: First Aid Kit, Reflective Vest, Spare Bulbs
• Note: the vest is not a legal requirement in Poland, unlike in Germany — but it is what you want on the hard shoulder anyway

Use our Travel Checklist to make sure you have everything.

Seasonal Considerations

Winter (November — March)

Winter driving on this route requires preparation:

• Germany: Winter tyres are situational — required whenever ice, snow, slush or black ice is on the road, with no fixed dates.
• Poland: No winter tyre requirement, though worn tyres carry their own penalty.

There are no passes on this route, so chains are beside the point; what bites is a cold morning on the flat between Poznan and Warsaw.

Summer (June — August)

Peak season means longer journey times. Motorway service areas fill up quickly, so plan fuel and rest stops in advance.

At 570 km, plan for at least one extended rest stop. Fatigue is the leading cause of motorway accidents on long-distance routes.

Rest Stops and Breaks

For a 570 km drive, plan 2 rest stops. Stop every 2 hours or 200 km to stay alert.

Rest areas along this route range from basic parking with toilets to full-service stations with restaurants and shops.

Consider splitting this into a two-day trip if you are not in a hurry. Arriving rested is safer and more enjoyable than pushing through fatigue.

Driving Tips for This Route

• Start with a full tank. Fuel prices at motorway stations are typically 10-20% higher than at regular stations.
• Mobile speed traps operate along this route, especially near construction zones and at the approach to cities.
• Police in Poland can issue on-the-spot fines. Carry a payment method that works locally.
• Dipped headlights may be required during daylight hours. Check the rules for each country on your route.

Plan This Route

Use our Route Planner to get turn-by-turn directions, or calculate your Fuel Cost for this trip.

Country guides: Germany | Poland