After dieseldave’s expansive description of the “Streckenempfehlung” in THIS THREAD, I thought I’d do a post explaining the “Bedarfsumleitung” (basically: “Diversion”) on the Autobahn.
On every Autobahn exit, you will see a small blue rectangular sign with a “U”, followed by a number and an arrow:
In the event of the Autobahn being closed, or you are just heading into the back of a long queue, you can leave the Autobahn and follow these signs, which will be repeated at every road junction and will take you to the next Autobahn junction.
Odd numbers are used on Autobahns heading North or East, even numbers on Autobahns heading South or West. The numbers increase in the direction of travel.
If it is necessary to extend the diversion to the junction after next, you will come across a sign such as this on the diversion route:
Now, this system has been in operation for years and I can appreciate that nowadays with the Maut, it can be a pain in the neck to leave the Autobahn on an unscheduled exit if you are not equipped with an OBU (On Board Unit), with all the rebooking, etc, that it entails.
However, it can save you a lot of time, especially if you can get to grips with the traffic news on the radio and are able to divert off the Autobahn and follow these signs to avoid getting stuck in a jam.
Hope this has been a help to some folks.
Inselaffe:
Now, this system has been in operation for years and I can appreciate that nowadays with the Maut, it can be a pain in the neck to leave the Autobahn on an unscheduled exit if you are not equipped with an OBU (On Board Unit), with all the rebooking, etc, that it entails.
To be honest if I was just diverting off the Autobahn and rejoining a junction or two later I wouldn’t bother with rebooking the Maut. You would only be not using a stretch you had paid for and the alteration charge would be more than you would have ‘wasted’ by not using that bit. Unless there is a Mautbrucke on the stretch you miss they wouldn’t even know you had been off the Autobahn. I don’t think it is an offence not to use a bit you have paid for, as opposed to using a bit you haven’t.
This system has saved me hours of wasted time over the years and it has always worked flawlessly for me with plenty of signs to keep you right. It has the added bonus that you sometimes stumble across great overnight stopping places while on one of these diversions.
Coffeeholic:
To be honest if I was just diverting off the Autobahn and rejoining a junction or two later I wouldn’t bother with rebooking the Maut. You would only be not using a stretch you had paid for and the alteration charge would be more than you would have ‘wasted’ by not using that bit. Unless there is a Mautbrucke on the stretch you miss they wouldn’t even know you had been off the Autobahn. I don’t think it is an offence not to use a bit you have paid for, as opposed to using a bit you haven’t.
You’re probably right, Neil. It shouldn’t be a problem.
By the way, I see you’re back as a Mod again. You really must try to get out more…
Inselaffe:
After dieseldave’s expansive description of the “Streckenempfehlung” in THIS THREAD, I thought I’d do a post explaining the “Bedarfsumleitung” (basically: “Diversion”) on the Autobahn.
Hi Inselaffe, What a great post.
I’d mentioned the idea of the difference between a Streckenempfehlung and a Bedarfsumleitung in the post you quoted, BUT I’ll freely admit to having learned something from your post.
Nice one me old Kumpel. …and well worth copying and pasting into one of the stickies.
Inselaffe:
By the way, I see you’re back as a Mod again. You really must try to get out more…
I am actually getting out more in the last few weeks than I have been for a fair old while. Life is good, better than it has been for at least 5 years in fact.
Nice one me old Kumpel. 
…and well worth copying and pasting into one of the stickies. 