Ausfahrten

Ausfahrt is a German noun meaning exit or departure, commonly used in reference to routes where a vehicle leaves one road to enter another. In everyday language it denotes the point where a street or parking area connects to a road, such as the driveway exit from a house or the ramp from a parking garage onto a street. In traffic signs and regulations, Ausfahrten are labeled to indicate exits onto public roads, and it is legally important to keep such exits clear for safe passage.

In infrastructure and urban planning, Ausfahrten describe the designated points where private or commercial properties connect to public roads. Standards often specify sight lines, width, and turning radii to minimize conflicts with pedestrians and other traffic. Blocking an Ausfahrt, for example the driveway of a building, is typically prohibited and may be subject to penalties or towing in many jurisdictions.

Ausfahrten also appears in leisure language, particularly in cycling and outdoor activities. Ausfahrten refers to outings or training rides, ranging from short spins to longer excursions. In this sense the term emphasizes the act of going out for a drive or ride rather than the physical exit itself. It is common in cycling clubs to announce planned Ausfahrten, including routes and schedules.

Etymology traces Ausfahrt to aus- “out” and Fahrt “drive/ride.” The plural Ausfahrten can refer to multiple exits or multiple rides, depending on context. Related terms include Ausgang (exit or way out from a place) and Zufahrt (access or approach road to a property), which help distinguish the direction and purpose of movement.