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In 2026, major roads in Spain will be toll-free.
Credit : Philip Lange, Shutterstock
Free travel on the horizon for AP-68 drivers… After nearly five decades of paying to cross northern Spain, motorists can finally mark their calendars: the AP-68 toll road between Bilbao and Zaragoza will be free of charge from November, 11, 2026.
The move, confirmed by Spain’s Ministry of Transport, spells the end of tolls on this historic 300km route—better known to locals as the Vasco-Aragonesa motorway.
This is the change that many have been anticipating. Since 1980, the AP-68, which connects the Basque Country with Aragon, has collected millions of tolls. Drivers will have the option to pay nothing at all for the whole stretch of the AP68 starting in autumn 2019.
Why does the AP-68 no longer have a toll?
This decision is part a larger national effort to open up Spain’s autoroutes and make long distance travel more affordable. It follows the example of the AP-2 (Zaragoza–El Vendrell), which scrapped its tolls in 2021, and echoes a wider European trend towards removing charges on major routes.
Once tolls are lifted, the AP-68 will be reclassified as the A-68 in sections without dual carriageways, aligning with the naming conventions used in Aragón and Navarra. That means, come November 2026, you’ll have two parallel toll-free roads to choose from for much of the route—good news if you’re planning a road trip between Bilbao and Zaragoza, or just want to skip the satnav detour.
What is the current price of the AP-68?
Let’s discuss numbers. In 2024, the full toll for a regular car, motorbike or light van making the Bilbao-Zaragoza run is €37.25. Heavy vehicles pay more.
- Category 1 (trucks/coaches with up to three axles, cars with double-tyre trailers): €67.80
- Category 2 (large trucks/coaches with four axles or more, microbuses, cars/vans with two-axle trailers): €78.60 (or €55.19 if using the Via T card).
This is a substantial sum that can quickly add up for haulage companies or families who travel the route frequently. So, expect to see a flurry of celebrations—and perhaps a few extra road-trippers—once the toll booths are dismantled for good.
What toll roads are still in Spain?
The AP-68 has been liberated, but drivers should be aware that Spain still charges tolls. There are 12 major toll road networks that the Ministry of Transport oversees. These include the AP-6 in the Guadarrama Tunnel, the AP-7 on the Mediterranean and the AP-9 Galicia. Also included in the list are AP-46 (Guadarrama Tunnel), AP-53 (Mediterranean), AP-66, and AP-71.
The network now totals over 1,500 kilometers of pay-to use tarmac. The trend is clear, however: the paid motorway era is ending and more drivers want toll-free travel.
Insiders say that while the AP-68 is the main focus, other tolls may be axed as contracts expire, and pressure from the public grows. Until then, the message from the Ministry is clear—freedom to roam is coming, one motorway at a time.
If you’ve been delaying that road trip to the north of Spain, 2026 may be the year. Just remember to wave goodbye to the toll booths as you drive past—they won’t be there much longer.
