European route E4 passes from north to south through Sweden from the border with Finland, with a total length of . The Finnish part lies entirely within Tornio in northern Finland, and is only long. The Swedish part traverses most of Sweden except the extreme north and the west coast region, and is commonly considered the highway backbone of Sweden, since it passes in the vicinity of many of its largest cities and through the capital Stockholm. In particular, it is the mainline road used by most vehicle traffic, both cars and lorries, between the north (Norrland) and south of Sweden or beyond.
From Haparanda on the Finnish border, it stretches south along the Gulf of Bothnia to Gävle, then on a more inland route southwards. It ends in Helsingborg in Sweden, at the port for the ferry to Helsingør in Denmark. The route intersects with European route E6 just outside Helsingborg, which continues to Trelleborg on the southern coast of Sweden.
History and naming The International E-road network convention was signed in 1950, with the E4 routed Lisbon-Madrid-Barcelona-Nimes-Geneva-Basel-Frankfurt-Hamburg-Helsingør-Stockholm-Haparanda-Helsinki. The part in Sweden was signposted E4 in 1962. Until 1962, the road Helsingborg–Stockholm was called highway 1, and Stockholm–Haparanda highway 13.
Under the new system of European routes which was decided in 1975, but introduced in Sweden in 1992, it was planned to have been a part of E55, but it retains the pre-1992 designation (E4) within Sweden, because the expenses connected with re-signing this long road portion would be too great. Besides the signs along the road, there are thousands of signs, especially in cities, showing how to reach the E4 road. The road is now fully authorised as E4 by the relevant authority, not as E55.
Route North of Gävle the road is of mixed standard. Depending on the fashion at the time of construction, it is either a single standard carriageway road, usually wide, or a 2+1 road, a wide road with two lanes in one direction and one in the other with a steel wire barrier in between, or sometimes a motorway with two lanes in each direction. North of Sundsvall, the road passes through several of the larger cities as city streets.
South of Gävle, the road becomes a continuous motorway, the final stretch of the motorway to be opened was the road between Uppsala and Mehedeby, which was inaugurated on 17 October 2007. South of Gävle, the speed limit is on 60% and on 30% of the road. North of Gävle there are varying speed limits, with as the most common. The speed limits on the main roads in Sweden were changed on many stretches in October 2008, which saw the introduction of the 120 km/h limit.
The E4 is the fastest road to go from Germany/Denmark to areas north of the Arctic Circle, including places in Norway such as Tromsø or the North Cape.
The route passes through or nearby the cities Tornio, Haparanda, Luleå, Piteå, Skellefteå, Umeå, Örnsköldsvik, Härnösand, Sundsvall, Hudiksvall, Söderhamn, Gävle, Uppsala, Stockholm, Södertälje, Nyköping, Norrköping, Linköping, Jönköping, Värnamo, Ljungby, and Helsingborg.
Detailed route RegionNational road
numberSectionJunctionNorthbound destinationsSouthbound destinationsLapland
Kemi-Tornio sub-region National Road 29Tornio Tornio N21 Pello, KilpisjärviKemi RovaniemiHaparanda, Luleå ()Norrbotten County/Haparanda - Luleå Haparanda N99 Karesuando, Övertorneå, Haparanda-Centrum
Sangis
N398 Hedenäset, Övertorneå, Björkfors
Vånafjärden, Karlsborg
Karlsborg
Kalix
Stråkanäs
Månsbyn
Morjärv
Töre
E10 Töre, Morjärv, Överkalix, Gällivare, Kiruna
Jämtön, Vitå, Avafors, Rörbäck
Strömsund
Råneå, Kängsön, Niemisel
Råneå, Prästholmen
N383 Boden, Smedsbyn
Bensbyn, Brändön, Persön
Rutvik, Luleå
N97 Jokkmokk, Boden, Gammelstaden, LuleåHaparanda, Tornio ()Luleå SundsvallLuleå - Jävre Luleå-Industry (only southbound) Luleå-Industry, Luleå Airport
Luleå, Luleå Airport, Bergnäset
Måttsund
N94 Arvidsjaur, Älvsbyn, Antnäs, Kallax, Måttsund
Sjulsmark, Alhamn, Mörön, Vallen, Ersnäs
Älvsbyn, Öjebyn N
N374 Piteå, Öjebyn
Piteå-Industry (only northbound)
Piteå, Munksund, Öjebyn
N373 Arvidsjaur, Långträsk, Bergsviken
Jävre N, Hemmingsmark
Jävre S
JävrebodarnaLuleå Haparanda
KirunaSkellefteå SundsvallVästerbotten CountyJävre - Skellefteå Kinnbäck Alund, Renholmen, Åbyn
Tåme, Tåmeträsk
Byske, Fällfors
Byske, Lundback
Stavaträsk, Drängsmark, Ostvik, Ostänbäck
Ostänbäck, Frostkåge, Ostvik
Spisen, Brännäset
Kåge N, Ersmark, Jörn
Kåge S
Boviken
Solbacken
N95 Arvidsjaur, Skellefteå, Bodø ()
SkellefteåLuleå KirunaSkellefteå Umeå
SundsvallSkellefteå - Umeå N364 Skellefteå Airport, Burträsk Tjärn
Tjärn, Innervik, Yttervik
Skelleftehamn, Innervik, Yttervik
Bureå
Ljusvattnet
Övre Bäck
Mångbyn
Lövånger
Västanbyn
Ånäset
Gumboda
Sikeå
Bygdeå
Djäkneboda
Sävar, Skeppsvik, Holmöarna
Sävar, Bullmark, Täfteå
Anumark
E12, N92 Umeå-Centrum, Dorotea, Vännäs, Lycksele, Mo i Rana ()
Umeå
UmeåLuleå SkellefteåUmeå SundsvallUmeå - Rundvik E12 Holmsund, Umeå Airport, Vaasa () E12 Umeå-Centrum, Dorotea, Vännäs, Lycksele, Haparanda, Mo i Rana ()
Norrmjöle, Stöcksjö
Ansmark
Sörmjöle
Hörnefors
Levar, Nordmaling N, Gräsmyr
Nordmaling C
N353 Nordmaling S, Bjurholm, Norrfors, Olofsfors
Lögdeälven Rastplats
Rundvik, Lögdeå
Lögdeå, Långron (only northbound)Skellefteå UmeåÖrnsköldsvik SundsvallVästernorrland CountyRundvik - Örnsköldsvik Saluböle Dombäck, Husum, Björna, Gideå, Örnsköldsvik Airport
Gideåbacka
Kasa
Mosjön Rastplats
Ovansjö
Arnäsvall, Gideå, Örnsköldsvik Airport
N352 Fredrika, Björna, Örnsköldsvik Hospital
ÖrnsköldsvikÖrnsköldsvik - Sundsvall Domsjö, Själevad N335, N348 Åsele, Bredbyn, Mellansel, Sollefteå, Sidensjö
Skorped, Sidensjö, Köpmanholmen, Bjästa
Docksta
Skoved
Sjöland
Ullånger
N332 Lunde, Herrskog, Gallsäter, Kramfors, Höga Kusten Airport (only southbound)
Nordingrå
Tjärned
Gräta
Klockestrand, Skullersta
Lunde, Nyadal, Lövvik
Rastplats
N90 Lunde, Kramfors, Sollefteå
Utansjö, Vålånger
Älandsbro
Djuphamnen, Saltvik, Bondsjöhöjden
Härnösand
Viksjö
Härnösand-Centrum
Härnösand-Centrum (only northbound)
Rastplats Bölesjön
Torsboda, Söråker, Stavreviken
Söråker, Stavreviken, Åstön, Tynderö, Hamn
Sundsvall–Timrå Airport
N331 Sollefteå, Viksjö, Bergeforsen, Sörberge
Timrå N
Timrå
Timrå-Centrum
Rastplats
Alnön, Bergsåker, Sundsbruk
Sundsbruk, Birsta (only northbound)
Bosvedjan, Ortviken, Tunadalshamnen
Sundsvall
Sundsvall-Centrum N, Haga, SkönsbergÖrnsköldsvik UmeåSundsvall GävleSundsvall - Gnarp E14 Sundsvall-Centrum S, Östersund, Trondheim () Kvissleby, Svartvik, Bredsand, Stockvik
Matfors, Nolby
Lörudden, Ängom, Njurundabommen
Rastplats ArmsjönÖrnsköldsvik SundsvallGävle Uppsala
StockholmGävleborg CountyGnarp - Gävle Gnarp N307 Hassela, Bergsjö
Harmånger
Vattrång
Bergsjö, Ilsbo, Hudiksvall Airport
N84 Hudiksvall, Ljusdal, Sveg
Rastplats Largeyan (only southbound)
Iggesund
Rastplats (only northbound)
Njutånger, Nianfors
Enånger
Lindefallet, Boda Bruk, Långvind
Kungsgården, Långvind
Rastplats Alebosjön (only southbound)
Kungsgården, Trönö, Skärså, Vågbro
Söderhamn (only southbound)
N50 Söderhamn, Falun, Bollnäs, Sandarne, E-Center, Söderhamn Airport
Söderala
Vallvik, Ljusne, Bergvik
Rastplats Norrbränningen (only southbound)
Rastplats Sörbränningen (only southbound)
N83 Ljusdal, Järvsö, Bollnäs, Tönnebro
Rastplats Högbacka (only southbound)
Rastplats Stensjön (only northbound)
N303 Bergby, Ockelbo, Norrsundet, Hamrånge
Rastplats Skarvberget
Gävle-N
GävleGävle - Mehedeby 199 E16, N56, N68 Västerås, Örebro, Sandviken, Falun, Borlänge, Gävle–Sandviken Airport, Oslo () 199b Gävle-Centrum
198 Rastplats Gävle
197 N76 Östhammar, Hedesunda, Gävle-SSundsvall GävleUppsala StockholmUppsala CountyMehedeby - Uppsala 196 Älvkarleby, Älvkarleö 195 N291 Älvkarleby, Mehedeby
194 Söderfors, Mehedeby
193 N292 Hargshamn, Gimo, Söderfors, Tierp
192 Östervåla, Månkarbo
191 Örbyhus, Husby
190 Vattholma, Björklinge
Rastplats Tre Ängar (only northbound)
Rastplats Torsberget
189 N290 Storvreta, Gamla Uppsala, Österbybruk
188 N55, N72, N288 Uppsala N, Strängnäs, Östhammar, Västerås, Enköping
187 N282 Uppsala S, Edsbro, Almunge
186 Uppsala S - Centrum (only northbound)Uppsala - Knivsta Rastplats Mora Stenar (only northbound) 184 N77 Norrtälje, Knivsta, Kapellskär, Mariehamn (), Paldiski ()Sundsvall Gävle
UppsalaStockholmStockholm CountyKnivsta - Stockholm 182 Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Märsta N - Centrum, Arlandastad N V 181 N263, N273 Sigtuna, Märsta S, Arlandastad S
180 Arlandastad-Centrum
179 Rosersberg
Rastplats Stora Wäsby
176 N268 Vallentuna, Upplands Väsby N - Centrum
175 Upplands Väsby S
174 N267, E18 Enköping, Rotebro
173 N265, N262, E18 Täby, Danderyd, Norrtälje, Sollentuna
172 N275 Vällingby, Sollentuna-Centrum, Kista N
171 E18 Kista S, Stockholm Bromma Airport, Västerås, Örebro, Karlstad, Oslo ()
170 Helenelund, Silverdal (only northbound)
169, 168 E18 Frösunda, Norrtälje, Mariehamn (), Paldiski ()
167 Sundbyberg, Solna-Centrum
165, 164 Solna S, Karolinska University Hospital
E20, N277 Lidingö, Stockholm N E20 Stockholm Ring RoadStockholm 163 Stockholm-Centrum 162 Sundbyberg, Solna (only northbound)
161 N275 Vällingby, Hornsberg, Stockholm Bromma Airport
160b N275 Vällingby, Stockholm Bromma Airport (only northbound)
160a Stockholm-Centrum, Fridhemsplan
158 Stora Essingen
157 Gröndal (only southbound)
156 Aspudden, Liljeholmen (only southbound)
155 N75, N222, N226 Årsta, Älvsjö, Nynäshamn, Värmdö, Visby, Ventspils (), Gdańsk ()Gothenburg Helsingborg
Södertälje E20Stockholm - Södertälje 154 Hägerstensåsen, Midsommarkransen, Västberga 153 N271 Västertorp, Hägersten, Fruängen
152 Segeltorp, Sätra, Bredäng, Mälarhöjden
151 Skärholmen N - Centrum, Kungens Kurva N - Centrum, Vårberg
150 Skärholmen S, Kungens Kurva S
148 N259 Huddinge-Centrum, Flemingsberg, Vårby (only southbound)
147 N259 Haninge, Ekerö
146a Hallunda
146b N258 Tumba, Alby
145 Rönninge, Salem
144 N225 Södertälje N, Nynäshamn, Visby, Ventspils (), Gdańsk ()
E20 Gothenburg, Strängnäs, Södertälje-Centrum, Eskilstuna, Örebro, Karlstad, Oslo ()Stockholm/Södertälje - Vagnhärad 142 Södertälje S, Hamnen 141 N57 Katrineholm, Gnesta, Järna
139 Hölö, Mörkö, Tullgarns slottSödertälje StockholmNorrköping HelsingborgSödermanland CountyVagnhärad - Strömsfors 138 N218, N219 Vagnhärad, Studsvik, Trosa, Tullgarns slott Rastplats Sillekrog
137 N224 Lästringe, Gnesta (only southbound)
136 N224 Lästringe, Gnesta (only northbound)
135 Tystberga, Stendörrens naturreservat, Nynäs slott
134 Nyköping Ö, Rosvalla Nyköping Eventcenter
133 N52, N53 Nyköping-Centrum, Örebro, Eskilstuna, Stockholm Skavsta Airport
132 N53 Nyköping V, Oxelösund
131 Enstaberga, Bergshammar (only southbound)
Rastplats Nyköpingsbro
129 Arkösund, Jönåker
128 N216 Katrineholm, Björkvik, Alberga
127 StavsjöÖstergötland CountyStrömsfors - Norrköping 126 Getå, Krokek, Kolmården Wildlife Park, Strömsfors 125 Getå (only northbound)
124 N55, N56 Åby, Katrineholm, Händelö, Jursla
123 N55, N56 Åby, Katrineholm, Strängnäs, Västerås (only northbound)
122 N55, N56 Norrköping N-Centrum (only southbound)
121 N51 Örebro, FinspångNorrköping - Linköping 119 E22, N209 Norrköping S, Kalmar, Arkösund, Söderköping, Västervik, Norrköping Airport 118 Skärblacka
117 Kimstad, Löfstad slott
116 Norsholm, Västerby (only southbound)
115 N210, N215 Norsholm, Söderköping, Finspång, Linghem, Löfstad slott
Rastplats Herrbeta
113 N35 Linköping Ö-Centrum, Västervik, Åtvidaberg, Linköping/Saab Airport
112 Linköping N-Centrum, BergNorrköping StockholmLinköping HelsingborgLinköping - Gränna 111 N34 Linköping V, Vimmerby, Motala