A method and a device for the autonomous startup of a motor vehicle from a standing position, which is determined by a traveling sensor, is provided. The type of road for the current motor vehicle position is determined via a navigation device or environmental sensors. In specific types of roads, a preceding deceleration to a complete stop is followed by the automatic activation of an auto-go mode, in which a control unit initiates an autonomous startup of the vehicle by way of a startup unit once a startup acquisition unit has determined that the other motor vehicle has started up.