Madrid enjoys a great motorway system that turns driving into an easy experience, especially when it comes to driving a rental car.
The city is surrounded by four major ring roads: M-30, M-40, M-45 and M-50, that span around the city in different distances. M-30 and M-40 are the central ones. They are multi-lane roads and most of them have long curved tunnels. The other ring roads mainly serve the suburbs.
In addition to the ring roads, there is a radial grid (marked with the letter R), which turns entering and exiting the city to an easy job from every direction. Radial roads are mostly toll roads (Autopista) and are connected to the national motorway system (marked in A).
The ring roads make it easy to get around Madrid, but as a rental car driver, it's also recommended to get a good map. GPS devices, despite their benefits for tourists, can suffer from connection problems in the tunnels and make it difficult to know where you are. The city itself suffers from congestion and a lack in parking spots. It is advised to use underground parking lots that are scattered around the city and are connected efficiently to the Metro and the upper public transportation.
As mentioned before, Madrid is an ideal gateway for exploring Spain. Routes R-5 and AP-41 lead from city center to southern Spain. Likewise, routes A-2 and AP-42 lead east. If you are interested driving to Bilbao and Basque country, you'll find motorway A-1 as a valuable option.
Special driving rules in Madrid:
◾ Departing from the City
Madrid, as mentioned, serves as an ideal starting point for travelers exploring Spain by rental car. For those heading south, it's recommended to take the R-5 and then connect to the AP-41 highway. Travelers heading east should take the A-2 and proceed to the toll road AP-42. Those wanting to visit Bilbao and the Basque region should take the fast A-1 highway.
Renting a car in Madrid offers the flexibility to reach destinations like Gibraltar or neighboring countries such as Portugal or France (subject to prior approval from the rental company), but it’s not possible to drive to the Canary and Balearic Islands or Morocco. For travelers heading west to Lisbon, a six-hour drive through the splendid landscapes of the A-5 awaits.
◾ "Kilometer Zero"
In the heart of Madrid lies "Puerta del Sol" (Gate of the Sun), a vibrant square not only popular among shopping enthusiasts and nightlife lovers but also known as "Kilometer Zero." This spot marks the central point of Spain's entire road network, simplifying trip planning for those opting for car rental in Spain. From here, one can head south to Toledo, Seville, Granada, and Costa del Sol, continue west to Portugal, north to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches, or east towards Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.