European Route 69 is the world’s northernmost highway

# European Route 69 (E69): The Road to the Top of Europe

Want to drive to the literal end of the world? E69 in northern Norway is your ticket. This fully paved 129km (80mi) stretch is the world's northernmost highway, and it'll take you as far north as you can possibly go by car in Europe.

The route kicks off at Olderfjord on the Porsanger Peninsula and heads straight north to Nordkapp (North Cape), the northernmost point of the entire continent. You'll cruise through five tunnels along the way, with the show-stopper being the North Cape tunnel—a 6.9km (4.3mi) underwater passage that dips 212m below the sea. Pretty wild.

Here's the reality check: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. The northern section (Skarsvåg to North Cape) closes during winter, and the weather is absolutely unpredictable. Storms roll in fast, snow happens even in summer, and conditions can shift dramatically without warning. High winds and heavy rain or snow? Not your friend up here.

The drive itself takes most people 2-3 hours non-stop, but honestly, you'll want to take your time. This road hugs the coastline like a dream, serving up absolutely stunning sea views that'll blow your mind. The scenery is genuinely unforgettable.

It's wild to think that this road was only completed in 1999—before that, the only way to reach North Cape was by boat. Now you can roll up to the iconic globe monument at the very end, grab coffee at the café, hit the museum, and soak in the achievement of driving to Europe's northernmost point.