Lærdal Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the world
Norway, europe
24.5 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
# The Lærdal Tunnel: Norway's Underground Marvel
Hidden beneath the mountains of Sogn og Fjordane county lies the world's longest road tunnel—and if you're claustrophobic, you might want to skip this one!
Stretching an impressive 24.5 kilometers (15.2 miles), the Lærdal Tunnel is an engineering feat that'll blow your mind. This two-lane highway carries the European Route E16, connecting the charming villages of Aurland and Lærdal while bypassing the stunning 47km Aurlandsfjellet—a scenic mountain route that's now optional for travelers.
Tucked in southwestern Norway, the tunnel is surprisingly quick to traverse. At the 80 km/h speed limit, you're looking at about 20 minutes underground—and here's the best part: it's completely toll-free. No hidden costs, no surprise fees.
Built in the mid-1990s and opening in 2000, this tunnel was designed to revolutionize winter travel between Oslo and Bergen by eliminating treacherous mountain passes and ferry connections. Smart move!
Here's where it gets interesting: the tunnel has no traditional emergency exits. Instead, engineers divided it into sections with wider chambers every 6 kilometers that create the psychological illusion of traveling through multiple tunnels. It's genius design mixed with psychology. The team even brought in specialists from SINTEF to tackle the monotony factor—they installed special lighting and fluorescent panels throughout to keep drivers alert and comfortable.
It's a thrilling drive through one of the world's most impressive pieces of infrastructure.
Where is it?
Lærdal Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the world is located in Norway (europe). Coordinates: 63.5246, 12.6236
Road Details
- Country
- Norway
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 24.5 km
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 63.5246, 12.6236
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