Germany checks motorhomes on A31 and A30 · VanLife Weekly #29
On 27 July Germany checks motorhomes and trailers on the A31 and A30. Also: a diesel tax in Finland has left motorhomes parked up for most of the year.
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Locality · Bavaria, Germany
VanSky index for Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany — 90 out of 100 (Ideal). Decide in seconds: temperature, precipitation, wind and solar output. Data refreshed several times a day from real weather observations.
The main score is weekly (7-day average). The “Today” toggle shows the current day, and the region page compares cities “by area”.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany — VanSky 90 out of 100. Ideal conditions for travel. Ranked #1 of 1775 cities in the country (as of 24 July 2026). Temperature 25°C, wind 12 km/h. Solar panels yield 2.8 kWh/day at 400 W — enough for full autonomy.
Cities with a close score — route alternatives
A weather comfort index for travel: a 0–100 score. Recalculated daily from live weather data — temperature, rainfall, wind and sun.
How it's calculated:
Data: Open-Meteo · Updated several times a day
Garmisch-Partenkirchen ranks 1 of 1775 cities. Country average VanSky — 90.
Updated: 18.07.2026
Super E10
$2.47 /l
€2.17 · £1.85/l
137 of 141
pricier than 96% of countries
Super Plus 98
$2.61 /l
€2.29 · £1.96/l
90 of 94
pricier than 95% of countries
Diesel
$2.43 /l
€2.13 · £1.82/l
136 of 142
pricier than 95% of countries
Premium Diesel
$2.83 /l
€2.49 · £2.13/l
39 of 40
pricier than 95% of countries
LPG
$1.26 /l
€1.11 · £0.95/l
48 of 52
pricier than 90% of countries
GOK has introduced the Caramatic GasControl remote gas shut-off for motorhomes and campers, set to launch around the Caravan Salon 2026. The device allows cutting off gas supply from inside the vehicle with a button press and differs from the Truma GS8 by enabling connection to a gas detector: if a leak is detected, the system automatically closes the valve. The Caramatic GasControl operates on 12/24 V, has a built-in battery for operation without external power, and is compatible with GOK Crash-Sensor systems. The Truma GS8, available from around 170 euros, does not support gas detector integration.
The «Camping’Pinte» gastronomy project at the Große Heide campsite in Olfen will cease operations in early August 2026. Operator Carsten Heidemann announced the closure on July 23, citing noise complaints and criticism of the concept. The establishment opened in April 2026 and was intended to operate for the full season.
The municipal council of Schliersee has approved a new parking fee ordinance for 22 parking lots. The day ticket in the town centre increased from 10 to 12 euros, and at hiker parking lots from 6 to 10 euros. Overnight parking fees for motorhomes were introduced at three hiker lots (20 euros), and a new dedicated motorhome pitch on Seestrasse costs 25 euros for 24 hours. A proposal to issue annual tickets to all primary residents was rejected by 18 votes to 1.
In Germany, on Autobahn sections without a posted speed limit, a motorhome with a permissible maximum mass of up to 3,500 kg can drive without an upper limit, essentially like a passenger car. For motorhomes over 3,500 kg, the limit on the Autobahn is 100 km/h. In France, Italy, Croatia, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and the Netherlands, light motorhomes (up to 3,500 kg) are subject to the same limits as passenger cars, while heavier ones face lower limits. In the Netherlands, the registration type also matters: a motorhome registered as a commercial vehicle over 3,500 kg is limited to 80 km/h outside built-up areas.
The family-run Hunau-Campingplatz in Bödefeld (Sauerland) is fully booked for the current season. According to the owners, demand for holidays in the region continues to rise, with many guests, such as the Hakvoort family from the Netherlands, returning for 17 years.
In the village of Blüthen (Prignitz), a parking area for motorhomes and tents has opened on the grounds of the former rectory next to the church. Bookings are made via the church4night portal, with a maximum stay of two nights. There is no fixed price; donations are placed in a box. The site offers electricity, water, toilets, and a kitchen. The parking area is situated between the cemetery and a coach house that displays a 130-year-old hearse. Around ten campers have used the facility so far.
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