# D1 motorway (Czech Republic)

The D1 motorway (Czech: Dálnice D1) is the main motorway of the Czech Republic. It routes from Prague to Brno and on to the Polish border, although there is currently a small section still under construction. Once completed its length will be 376.5 km (233.9 mi). It is the busiest motorway in the Czech Republic, with a maximum AADT of 99,000 vehicles per day near Prague.

## Chronology
### First attempt

The Munich Agreement in 1938 deprived the country of some fundamental road and rail routes. The government rushed to prepare three major infrastructure projects: the Německý Brod – Brno railway; the Plzeň – Ostrava road; and a 4-lane highway from Prague to Velký Bočkov (on the Czechoslovak – Romanian border). On 23 December 1938 the government issued Decree no. 372/1938 Coll. concerning the construction of motorways, establishing the General Motorway Directorate. This decree called for construction of an east-west motorway within four years.
As of January 1939, the General Motorway Directorate had 108 employees. On 13 January 1939, the Prague – Jihlava – Brno – Slovak border motorway project was approved, and construction was started on two segments: Chodov (now part of Prague) – Humpolec; and Zástřizly – Lužná. The prime minister of Carpathian Ruthenia, Avgustyn Voloshyn, requested that the Slovak border – Chust segment be added to the plan as well. Construction began on the Zástřizly – Lužná segment on 24 January in Zástřizly in the Chřiby mountains.
The German occupation of Czechoslovakia brought only small technical changes to the project, and the construction of another segment, Chodov – Humpolec, began in May 1939. The increasing demands of World War II slowed down the construction, and the works were completely halted in 1942. After the war the works were resumed mainly on major bridges in 1946, but only with a small workforce.
After 1948 the works continued. But in January 1949 the segment in Chřiby was abandoned, and the Prague – Humpolec segment met the same fate one year later. All 77 km of motorway under construction at that time, including 60 bridges, remained in disuse.

### Second attempt

In the 1960s, traffic was growing very quickly, and a new plan for a D1 highway from Prague to the Soviet Union border was formulated. Work on the Prague – Brno section started in 1967, mainly using the old route from the first attempt. The 21-km long Prague – Mirošovice segment was completed in July 1971, and the 205-km long route to Brno was finished in November 1980.
In Slovakia, construction started in 1973 with the 14-km long Ivachnová – Liptovský Mikuláš section, together with the construction of the Liptovská Mara dam. The 19-km Prešov – Košice motorway was added in 1980. In the late 1980s and the early 1990s the 19-km long Brno – Vyškov segment was built, along with another 20 km from Liptovský Mikuláš to Hybe in Slovakia.
After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, construction was no longer planned to Slovakia, but instead to Lipník nad Bečvou (the replacement of the planned route is the R49 expressway). Due to growing traffic near Prague, the first segment to Mirošovice was widened from 4 lanes to 6 lanes, and there are similar plans for widening around Brno as well. After the dissolution, no new sections were built. In 2002, construction of an 18-km long extension from Vyškov eastwards started. It was opened in 2005. More extensions eastwards were opened in 2008, 2009 and 2010; in 2011, the motorway reached the junction with the R55 expressway and the R49 expressway near Hulín, and the route curved north to Přerov (and Lipník nad Bečvou).
The segment from Lipník nad Bečvou to Ostrava was constructed from 2004 – 2009. Due to historical reasons it was named the Motorway D47; however, it was opened as part of the D1. The segment from Ostrava to the Polish border (and Autostrada A1) opened in late 2012, but only for cars under 3.5 tonnes, because the Polish side had problems with the bridge at Mszana village. From 2014 the bridge is open, and it is possible to drive from Ostrava to the Polish border and on to Katowice. The Přerov – Lipník nad Bečvou segment opened in December 2019.

### Recategorisation of the Prague section

In 2022, the re-categorisation of the section from the zero kilometre at Chodov across the Prague border (km 5.2) to the crossing with the Prague ring road (km 10.2) as a local road, together with the transfer of the Prague section (including buildings and land by a donation contract) to the ownership of the City of Prague was prepared. On 4 February 2022, ŘSD and Prague concluded a future donation agreement. The city council approved the plan on 17 May 2022, and the city council by resolution No. 37/42 on 26 May 2022.
The donation contract, by which the state, through ŘSD, donated the first 5.2 km of the motorway to the capital city of Prague, was concluded on 29 June 2022 and published on 19 December 2022; the contract quantified the book value of the donated property at CZK 4,793,160,294. The Prague section of the motorway (km 0 - 5.2) was re-categorised as a local first class road. In the contract, Prague undertook the task of modifying the traffic signs on the date of the Prague ring road's commissioning in the section between Běchovice, and the D1 motorway.
As of 1 January 2023, it was announced that the section km 0.0-5.2 would be transferred to the ownership of the City of Prague and removed from the toll network. The section was re-designated as a road for motor vehicles. In its Twitter message, ŘSD mistakenly informed about the transfer of the section to a Class I road, but later corrected the message that it was a transfer to a local Class I road, the spokeswoman of TSK hl. However, the Prague TSK spokesperson Barbora Lišková reportedly continued to mystify that it was a Class I road.

### Final stretches

The only section which is not yet completed is the Říkovice – Přerov segment. Construction on this segment started in 2022, with an expected completion date in 2025.
Furthermore, in April 2025, the widening works (to three lanes in each direction) on the 1.4 kilometres (0.87 mi) long section in Brno should conclude.

## Route description

| Country | Region | Location | km | mi | Exit | Name | Destinations | Notes |
| Czech Republic | Prague | Prague | 0 | 0.0 | — | Spořilov | E65 | Kilometrage starting point Connects with Prague's Inner Ring Road (MO). |
| Czech Republic | Prague | Prague | 2 | 1.2 | — | Chodov | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 6 | 3.7 | — | Průhonice Odpočívka Průhonice | | By 31 December 2022 start of toll section (motorway coupon, electronic toll already in force) |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Nupaky | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 10 | 6.2 | — | Modletice | D 0 E50 | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 15 | 9.3 | — | Všechromy | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Božkov | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 21 | 13 | — | Mirošovice | I/3 E55 | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Poddubí | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 29 | 18 | — | Hvězdonice | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Hvězdonice | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Bělčice | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 34 | 21 | — | Ostředek | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 41 | 25 | — | Šternov | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Brtnice | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Blanice | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 49 | 30 | — | Psáře | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Střechov | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 56 | 35 | — | Soutice | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Kalná | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | 66 | 41 | — | Loket | | |
| Czech Republic | Central Bohemian Region | Central Bohemian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Dunice | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 75 | 47 | — | Hořice | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 81 | 50 | — | Koberovice | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Speřice | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Humpolec | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 90 | 56 | — | Humpolec | I/34 E551 | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Mikulášov | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 104 | 65 | — | Větrný Jeníkov | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Pávov | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 112 | 70 | — | Jihlava | I/38 E59 | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 119 | 74 | — | Velký Beranov | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Jamenský potok | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 134 | 83 | — | Měřín | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Stránecká Zhoř | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Kochanov | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 141 | 88 | — | Velké Meziříčí-západ | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Velké Meziříčí | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 146 | 91 | — | Velké Meziříčí-východ | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 153 | 95 | — | Lhotka | | |
| Czech Republic | Vysočina Region | Vysočina Region | 162 | 101 | — | Velká Bíteš | I/37 | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Devět Křížů | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 168 | 104 | — | Devět Křížů | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 178 | 111 | — | Ostrovačice | | End of the toll section (toll coupon only, electronic toll continues to apply) |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 182 | 113 | — | Kývalka | I/23 | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Popůvky | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Troubsko | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 190 | 120 | — | Brno-západ | I/23 E461 | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Starý Lískovec | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 194 | 121 | — | Brno-centrum | I/52 E461 | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 196 | 122 | — | Brno-jih | D 2 E65 | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Brno-Tuřany | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 201 | 125 | — | Brno-Slatina | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 203 | 126 | — | Brno-východ | I/50 | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 210 | 130 | — | Holubice | I/50 E50 | Start of toll section (toll coupon, electronic toll already in force) |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 216 | 134 | — | Rousinov | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 226 | 140 | — | Vyškov-západ | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Vyškov | | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 230 | 140 | — | Vyškov-východ | D 46 E462 | |
| Czech Republic | South Moravian Region | South Moravian Region | 236 | 147 | — | Ivanovice na Hané | | |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 244 | 152 | — | Mořice | | |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Křenovice | | |
| Czech Republic | Zlin Region | Zlin Region | 253 | 157 | — | Kojetín | | |
| Czech Republic | Zlin Region | Zlin Region | 258 | 160 | — | Kroměříž-západ | I/47 | |
| Czech Republic | Zlin Region | Zlin Region | 260 | 160 | — | Kroměříž-východ | | |
| Czech Republic | Zlin Region | Zlin Region | 264 | 164 | — | Hulín-západ | I/55 | |
| Czech Republic | Zlin Region | Zlin Region | 265 | 165 | — | Hulín | D 49 D 55 | End of the toll section (toll coupon only, electronic toll continues to apply) |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 272 | 169 | — | Říkovice | I/55 | Started construction 12/2022. Planned opening in 2025. |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 278 | 173 | — | Přerov-západ | | Started construction 12/2022. Planned opening in 2025. |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 281 | 175 | — | Přerov-sever | I/55 | Started construction 12/2022. Planned opening in 2025. |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Osek nad Bečvou | | |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 294 | 183 | — | Lipník nad Bečvou-Trnávka | | |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 296 | 184 | — | Lipník nad Bečvou-Bohuslávky | D 35 E442 E462 | |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 298 | 185 | — | Lipník nad Bečvou-Loučka | I/35 E442 E462 | Start of toll section (toll coupon, electronic toll already in force) |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 308 | 191 | — | Hranice | | |
| Czech Republic | Olomouc Region | Olomouc Region | 311 | 193 | — | Bělotín | D 48 E462 | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Vražné | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 321 | 199 | — | Mankovice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 330 | 210 | — | Hladké Životice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 336 | 209 | — | Butovice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 342 | 213 | — | Bravantice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | | | Rest area | Odpočívka Klimkovice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 349 | 217 | — | Klimkovice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 354 | 220 | — | Rudna | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 357 | 222 | — | Severní spoj | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 361 | 224 | — | Místecká | I/56 | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 365 | 227 | — | Vrbice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 366 | 227 | — | Vrbice | | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 370 | 230 | — | Bohumín | I/67 | |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 372 | 231 | — | Bohumín | I/67 | End of toll section (end of electronic tolling) |
| Czech Republic | Moravian-Silesian Region | Moravian-Silesian Region | 376 | 234 | Czech Republic–Poland border | Věřňovice/Gorzyczki border crossing | A 1 | Kilometrage end point Border with Poland; road continues as the Polish A1 |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Route transition Unopened |||||||||

## Highway elevation

* Maximum: 655 meters above sea level (km 104)
* Minimum: 197 meters above sea level (km 370)

## Gallery

* motorway D1 in Prague
* D1 near Brno
* Motorway D1 in Prague-Chodov
* D1 somewhere in Vysočina Region
* Vysočina highway bridge on km 144, 60 km from Brno