What is an interurban road in Spain?

Any public road situated outside a built-up area, whatever its type — motorway, dual carriageway, conventional road or lane.

Is a travesía an urban road?

No. A travesía is a stretch of highway running through a town with no bypass available, and it is not classed as an urban road even though it lies inside the built-up area.

Interurban road | DGT glossary

Definition

An interurban road (vía interurbana) is any public road located outside a built-up area, as Spain's Reglamento General de Circulación defines it. Its opposite is the urban road: a public thoroughfare inside a built-up area, with the exception of travesías, the stretches of highway that cross a town without a bypass. What draws the line is the built-up area, not the road type — a motorway, a dual carriageway or a country lane are all interurban roads while they run outside a town, and many exam rules change exactly at that line.

What changes outside a built-up area

Stopping and parking must be done off the carriageway, on the right-hand side and without occupying the usable part of the shoulder; the "either side" rule belongs to one-way urban roads, not to interurban ones. Cars and special vehicles over 3,500 kg must drive on the carriageway and not on the shoulder except in an emergency, while mopeds do the opposite and ride the right-hand shoulder where it is usable. A reflective vest is compulsory whenever you leave the vehicle after a breakdown on an interurban road, day or night.

Key facts

Interurban road: any public road outside a built-up area.
Urban road: inside a built-up area, except travesías.
Stop and park off the carriageway, on the right, clear of the usable shoulder.
Mopeds ride the right-hand shoulder where there is no dedicated lane.
Most fatal crashes in Spain happen on interurban roads.

Keep studying

Frequently asked questions

What is an interurban road in Spain?: Any public road situated outside a built-up area, whatever its type — motorway, dual carriageway, conventional road or lane.
Is a travesía an urban road?: No. A travesía is a stretch of highway running through a town with no bypass available, and it is not classed as an urban road even though it lies inside the built-up area.

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Interurban road