The E45 is Europe's longest north-south route, stretching from the Arctic to Sicily.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning about 5,190 kilometers, the E45 connects the snowy landscapes of northern Norway to the southern tip of Sicily. This massive artery crosses seven countries, yet it relies on ferry crossings to bridge gaps between Sweden and Denmark, and the Italian mainland and the island of Sicily.

The E45 is a complex network of national roads and motorways that has evolved significantly since its 1992 renaming from the former E3. Its northern reach was dramatically expanded in 2006 and 2017, pushing the route deep into the Arctic regions of Finland and Norway. While the E45 functions as a cohesive European route, its character varies wildly. In Sweden, it is known as Inlandsvägen, a mostly standard road winding through sparsely populated forests, whereas in Denmark, it operates as a high-speed motorway along the Jutland coast.

The route's path is defined by both modern engineering and ancient history. Between Nuremberg and Verona, the E45 follows the trajectory of the Via Imperii, an old imperial road. However, the modern experience is dominated by diverse infrastructure, including the Inn Valley and Brenner Autobahns in Austria and Italy. Despite its formal designation, the E45 faces physical limitations; it lacks direct road connections across the Kattegat and the Strait of Messina, requiring travelers to use ferries. These gaps highlight the challenges of maintaining a continuous 5,190-kilometer corridor across varied European geography.

Local usage often diverges from official designations, particularly in Italy. Because major motorways are more recognizable to locals, the term E45 is frequently used colloquially to refer to the Cesena-Orte segment, sometimes extending to include routes toward Rome. The route is also subject to the realities of modern logistics; for instance, in September 2026, the Strömsund bridge in Sweden was closed for repairs after a heavy transport vehicle damaged the structure. These incidents underscore that while the E45 is a vital international link, it remains a collection of individual segments vulnerable to the demands of contemporary transport.

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