A1 motorway (Portugal)

The A1, also known as the Autoestrada do Norte (Northern Motorway), is the oldest and one of the most important motorways in Portugal. It connects the two largest cities in the country, Lisbon and Porto, running in a generally north-south direction. Its significance lies in facilitating the efficient transportation of people and goods between these key economic centers, as well as providing access to numerous other towns and regions along its route.

The A1 is a tolled motorway, operated by Brisa – Auto Estradas de Portugal. It is a major component of the Portuguese national road network and carries a high volume of traffic, particularly during peak seasons and on weekends. It provides a substantially faster and more direct route compared to older national roads that follow a similar trajectory.

The motorway provides crucial connections to other significant motorways and national roads, branching off to destinations further inland and along the coast. It is essential for domestic travel and freight transport within Portugal, playing a vital role in the country’s economic and social cohesion. The construction and maintenance of the A1 have been crucial to the development of modern infrastructure and connectivity in Portugal.