Highways in Croatia are the main transport network in Croatia. The Croatian classification includes several categories of highways:
The main motorway routes are prefixed with an A (for autocesta) followed by one or two digits. They are controlled-access highways with tolls using a ticket system. Expressways (brza cesta) are toll-free limited-access highways with grade-separated intersections and fast speed limits. They are similar to the motorways, but are not always dual carriageways and may have no emergency lanes. Their speed limit is always lower than that of the motorways. They either have standalone designations or are parts of non-motorway state routes, such as the D prefixed highways described further below. Roads dedicated for motor vehicles (cesta namijenjena isključivo za promet motornih vozila), which is another category of limited-access highways. They usually have multiple lanes and separated carriageways but may have at-grade intersections. This class of roads has no specific numbering convention, only a dedicated traffic sign. State routes (D roads) or portions thereof may be designated in this manner. An example is Jadranska Avenue in Zagreb, designated as Ž1040, a county road.
Other than the motorway routes, the national road classification includes the following enumerated categories of routes in the national highway system, with decreasing order of priority: State roads, which are marked by letter D (državna cesta) and a single, double or triple digit number. County roads always are marked by letter Ž (županijska cesta) and a four digit number. The lowest classification comprises local roads, marked by letter L (lokalna cesta) and a five digit number.
Road operators differ according to the classification system: The designated motorways are operated by three different concessionaires. The state roads are maintained almost exclusively by Hrvatske ceste, while the county and local roads are managed by various county authorities. The road maintenance agencies are governed by various laws issued by the Parliament as well as bylaws issued by the Ministry of Transport.
Motorways
The primary high-speed motorways are called ( singular: ), and they are defined as roads with at least three lanes in each direction (including hard shoulder) and a speed limit of not less than . They are marked with a special road sign, similar to the road sign depicting a motorway/autoroute/autobahn in other parts of Europe. The Croatian motorway () network is long.
Motorways in Croatia are defined by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure. The same applies to names of the motorway interchanges and rest areas.
History
A major reason for the motorway construction "mania" of the 2000s is a previous political halt of the major Croatian highway project, today's A1, in the 1970s and 1980s under former Yugoslavia. When Croatia declared independence in 1991, the only true motorways in the country were Rijeka–Kikovica (the westernmost part of today's A6), Zagreb–Karlovac (the northernmost part of today's A1) and Zagreb–Slavonski Brod (the central part of today's A3), the latter being part of the Brotherhood and Unity Highway. The dream to connect the two largest Croatian cities Zagreb and Split with a motorway () went back to the times of the Croatian Spring, but construction of this project was never realized in the Yugoslav period.
In 2005, the Zagreb–Split route was constructed. In addition, the A1 was extended towards Dubrovnik (currently at Ploče), and the A3 was extended so it connects Zagreb to Croatian borders with both Serbia (near Lipovac) and Slovenia (near Bregana). There is also a motorway from Zagreb to Rijeka, the A6, as well as the A4 motorway from Zagreb to the northeast (Hungarian border) as well as the A2 motorway from Zagreb to the northwest (Slovenian border). The A9 between Pula and the Slovenian border is also largely completed.
The construction of additional motorways has noticeably slowed in the 2010s, but it continues. , the Cerovlje–Rijeka section of A8, the remaining part of the Istrian Y, is being upgraded from semi-highway status. The other motorways are in various early stages of development, coming up to a total of 11 motorway routes. The A1 is considered unfinished as it is planned to be extended from Ploče to Dubrovnik.
Operators
The network is managed by 3 operators, of which one is under full government control and other two are operated by joint ventures.
OperatorOwnershipMotorwayLength (in 2025)NotesBINA IstraBINA Fincom (67%)Bouygues (16%)Hrvatske autoceste (14.8%)Istarska autocesta (2.2%)A8, A9Under concession until 2041.Autocesta Zagreb – MaceljPyhrn Concession Holding GmbH (51%)Republic of Croatia (49%)A2Under concession until 2032.Hrvatske autocesteRepublic of Croatia (100%)A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A10, A11, Krk bridge A6 and A7 were operated by Autocesta Rijeka – Zagreb until 31 December 2020.
Motorways and sections List of motorways MotorwayRouteLength (in 2025)DescriptionNotes A1Zagreb - Split - DubrovnikThe A1 starts in Lučko interchange, a part of Zagreb bypass where the A3 motorway junction is located. The motorway proceeds south from Zagreb to Karlovac and further on to Bosiljevo 2 interchange where the A6 motorway branches off towards Rijeka. The route continues south to Gospić, Zadar, Šibenik, Split. The southernmost sector of the motorway proceeds from Split to Ploče and Metković.Section between Ploče and Dubrovnik is planned A2Zagreb - MaceljThe A2 starts on the border with Slovenia near Macelj. The motorway passes west of Krapina and proceeds south towards Zagreb. The southernmost section of the motorway forms a part of Zagreb bypass and it terminates at Jankomir interchange with the A3 motorway. A3Bregana - Zagreb - LipovacThe A3 starts on the border of Slovenia near Bregana. The motorway passes north of Samobor and proceeds west towards Zagreb, passing to the south of the city and forming a part of Zagreb bypass, where the route contains junctions with the A2, A1 and A4 motorways. It continues east to Kutina, Slavonski Brod, Sredanci interchange with the A5 motorway and further east to Županja and terminating on the border of Serbia near Lipovac. A4Zagreb - GoričanThe A4 starts on the border of Hungary near Goričan. The motorway passes near Čakovec and Varaždin south towards Zagreb and the southernmost part of the route is a part of Zagreb bypass, where the motorway terminates in Ivanja Reka interchange, where the traffic defaults to the westbound A3 motorway. A5Beli Manastir - Osijek - Bosnian borderThe A5 starts on the border of Hungary near Beli Manastir and proceeds south bypassing Osijek and Đakovo, meets the A3 motorway at Zoljani interchange and proceeds south to Svilaj border bridge where it connects on Bosnian A1 motorway. A6Rijeka - Bosiljevo 2The A6 starts in Bosiljevo 2 interchange, branching off from the A1 motorway and proceeds west bypassing Delnice to Rijeka and the Orehovica interchange with the A7 motorway. A7Rupa - Rijeka - Žuta LokvaThe A7 starts at the border of Slovenia and heads south to Rijeka, passes the city as Rijeka bypass. The Rijeka bypass section comprises an interchange with the A6 motorway and proceeds east terminating near Šmrika where the traffic defaults to the D8 state road.Section east of Rijeka is under construction. A8Kanfanar - MatuljiThe A8 spans between Kanfanar and Matulji, i.e. the A9 and A7 motorways. As of September 2024, the Kanfanar–Vranja section is brought to the motorway standards, with new tube of Učka tunnel opened and the rest is a limited access two-lane route. A9Umag - PulaThe A9 starts near Umag and the Slovenian border, meets the A8 motorway at Kanfanar interchange, and proceeds south to Pula, forming the western arm of Istrian Y. A10Bosnian border - Ploče interchangeThe A10 starts at Bosnian border, where it connects to A1 motorway in Bosnia and runs to the Ploče interchange, where it connects to A1 motorway. A11Zagreb - SisakThe A11 starts at Jakuševec interchange and runs south to Sisak interchange. It was connected to A3 in November 2015 and it is opened to Sisak in October 2024.
Motorway sections under construction
MotorwayCountyLengthSectionDescriptionScheduled completion A7Primorje-Gorski KotarNovi Vinodolski bypassConstruction began in September 2021 and will consist of two lane expressway that will match the left lane of the future motorway.March 2027 A8Učka Tunnel–MatuljiConstruction of additional two lanes started in September 2023.Q1 2027 A9IstriaMirna BridgeConstruction of bridge for upgrading motorway on four lanes in total, the construction started in February 2024.End of 2026
Planned motorway sections MotorwayCountyLengthSectionNotes A1City of Zagreb, Zagreb and KarlovacZagreb–KarlovacUpgrade to six lanes, the start of the works is planned for second half of 2027.KarlovacKarlovac–Bosiljevo 2Upgrade to six lanes. Start of works after completion of the Zagreb-Karlovac section.Dubrovnik-NeretvaMetković–PelješacThe construction is planned to begin in 2026.Rudine–Osojnik (Dubrovnik)The construction was planned to begin in the spring of 2024 and construction in 2025.Osojnik–Nova Mokošica border crossingPlanning started. A2Krapina-ZagorjeĐurmanec–MaceljThe construction of tunnels Sveta Tri Kralja and Brezovica so the section is upgraded to four lane motorway was expected to begin in the fall of 2022. A3City of ZagrebJankomir–LučkoUpgrade to six lanes. Construction starts at autumn 2026.Zagreb and City of ZagrebLučko–Ivanja RekaUpgrade to six lanes. Start of works after completion of the Jankomir-Lučko section. A7Primorje-Gorski KotarKrižišće–JadranovoConstruction work on this section is expected to begin in September 2026, and the completion deadline is 36 months from the contractor's introduction into the work. Jadranovo–SelceConstruction work on this section is expected to begin in September 2026, and the completion deadline is 42 months from the contractor's introduction into the work.Novi Vinodolski bypassDesign started in 2023 and competition for construction will start on the end 2026 completing remaining two lanes that will match the right lane of the motorway.Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Lika-SenjNovi Vinodolski–SenjA conceptual design has been developed and the coordination of spatial plans is underway. In parallel, an Environmental Impact Study is being prepared and field research is ongoing.Lika-SenjSenj–Žuta LokvaThe preparation of project documentation up to the location permit has been contracted, a conceptual design has been developed, and the Environmental Impact Study is being prepared, and field research is underway.
Traffic cost revenue In 2025, the network had a traffic of 101,416,327 vehicles, including 89,134,555 light vehicles and 12,281,772 heavy vehicles (difference by axle height).
The travel cost is 0.08 euros per km for light vehicles in closed system and 0.06 euros in open toll system, while for heavy ones are 0.34 euros per km in closed system and 0.21 in open system.
Those costs generate a revenue of 569.5 millions of euros (without VAT) in 2025.
Accidents Two third of motorway fatalities (67%) occurred in the third of the year between July and October.in 2015 or latest available year
Expressways