What does autostrada mean?
An autostrada is a high-speed, controlled-access motorway, a term borrowed from Italian where it designates that country's national network of tolled expressways. In English usage, the word appears almost exclusively in discussions of driving in Italy or continental Europe — travel writing, guidebooks, and motoring journalism — where it adds local colour that generic words like 'motorway' or 'freeway' lack. The term carries connotations of fast, long-distance European driving, complete with toll booths, service plazas, and sweeping alpine viaducts. Historically significant, Italy's autostrade were among the world's first purpose-built motorways, predating many better-known systems. For travellers, knowing the word is practically useful: road signs, maps, and navigation apps across Italy all use 'autostrada' (marked in green), and understanding it helps distinguish these toll roads from ordinary 'strade' or regional roads.
nounA high-speed divided motorway or expressway, especially one in Italy or another continental European country; the Italian equivalent of an interstate highway.
- A high-speed divided motorway, particularly one forming part of Italy's national motorway network.
- By extension, any major expressway or controlled-access highway in a European country.
"They drove the autostrada from Milan down to Florence in under three hours."
"The autostrada was choked with holiday traffic all the way to the French border."
"Tolls on the Italian autostrada can add up quickly on a long cross-country drive."
The Italian plural 'autostrade' is standard, though anglicized 'autostradas' is also encountered.
"Italy's autostrade stretch from Sicily to the Alps."
Italy built its first autostrada in the 1920s — making it one of the world's earliest purpose-built motorway networks, ahead of Germany's famous autobahns.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of autostrada
Autostrada comes from Italian, formed from 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos', meaning self, as in automobile) plus 'strada', meaning road, which derives from Latin 'via strata' — a paved or layered way, the same source that ultimately gave English the word 'street'. The word arose in early 20th-century Italy as the country pioneered long-distance motor roads. Cognates include the German 'Autobahn' and French 'autoroute', each combining the same idea of automated-era travel with a native word for road.
Related word forms
How autostrada is actually used
The word is borrowed directly from Italian and is used mainly when referring to roads in Italy or other European countries; English speakers typically say 'motorway' or 'freeway' for their own highways. The standard plural is the Italian 'autostrade', though 'autostradas' also occurs.
Easily confused with autostrada
An autobahn is the German high-speed road network, while an autostrada is the Italian one.
An autoroute is a French motorway, whereas autostrada refers specifically to Italy's motorway system.