'autopista' originates from Spanish, specifically the compound 'auto-' + 'pista', where 'auto-' comes from Greek 'autos' meaning 'self' (used in reference to automobiles) and 'pista' meant 'track' or 'path' (from Italian 'pista', 'track').

'autopista' was formed in modern Spanish in the early 20th century as a compound shortening phrases like 'pista para automóviles' ('track/road for automobiles'), and it became the standard term for roads designed for motor vehicles.

Initially, it meant 'a track or lane for automobiles', but over time it evolved into the modern sense of 'a high-capacity, often controlled-access highway (motorway/highway)'.