Stretching across nine countries, Europe’s longest road spans a whopping 5,000 miles (8,000km), embarking from France and winding its way to the vicinity of China’s border. The wonderful route, known as the European route E40, weaves through Western Europe, linking the French city of Calais to Ridder in Kazakhstan.
The E40 is part of the European route network designated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and is also recognised by the European Union.
It is identified with blue signs bearing the letter “E” followed by its route number.
The E40 begins in Calais, a port city in northern France, and passes through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and finally ends in Ridder, Kazakhstan.
Along its route, it traverses diverse landscapes, including urban areas, countryside, and mountainous regions.
While on the route, the E40 intersects with other major European routes, facilitating connections to different parts of the continent.
For example, in Belgium, it intersects with the E17 near Ghent and the E42 near Liège.
At the end of the motorway is Ridder, a city in Kazakhstan, about 170 miles from the Chinese border.
The whole journey on the E40 takes around 54 days.
The E40 comprises a network of existing national highways and motorways in each country it traverses.
While some sections are modern and well-maintained, others may vary in quality and infrastructure standards, depending on the region and country.
Despite its importance, the E40 faces challenges such as congestion, road maintenance issues, and varying traffic regulations across different countries.
Efforts to improve and upgrade the infrastructure along the route are ongoing to enhance safety and efficiency for travellers.