The road and motorway network in the Netherlands is very well developed. So much so that this country has the highest density of expressways on 1,000 square kilometers, not only in Europe, but also around the world.
All roads and highways in the Netherlands are well signposted and maintained. Moving them is practically hassle-free and, what is important, quite smooth even during rush hours. This is due to the lack of traffic lights at intersections and the number of routes that lead to different places.
Of course, the exception here are large Dutch cities, where traffic jams can form during the busiest hours of departures and returns from work.
Highway markings in the Netherlands
Most highways and expressways in the Netherlands are marked with the appropriate capital letter of the alphabet and one or two numbers. On the other hand, provincial roads have similar markings, but they are distinguished by three-digit numbers placed after the letter. Importantly, all Dutch roads are paved, which means that even in bad weather conditions, we should not get stuck in the mud anywhere on them.
Highways in the Netherlands
The highway in Dutch is autosnelweg. Their entire network in the Netherlands is almost 2,400 kilometers. Importantly, many people praise them for their quality, safety and good maintenance.
The motorways in the Netherlands are marked in two ways. The international ones are marked in green with the letter E, while the domestic ones in red with the letter A. The remaining main roads are marked with the letter N on a yellow background.
We have the following highways in the Netherlands:
– A1 is the motorway that connects Amsterdam with the German border. It runs through four provinces: North Holland, Utrecht, Overijssel and Gelderland.
– A2 is the route that leads from the capital of the Netherlands towards Belgium (Liege). It starts at the junction with the A10 motorway and is 213 kilometers long.
– The A4 is a motorway that also runs from Amsterdam to the Belgian border where it connects to the local A12 route. Interestingly, this motorway is still divided into two sections, due to a break (from Rotterdam to Klaaswaal), where the rest of the route has not yet been built.
– A5 is one of the shortest motorways in the Netherlands. It is only 7 kilometers long and acts as a link between the A9 and A4.
– The A6 runs from the intersection with the A1 as far as Joure.
– The A7 is the longest motorway in the Netherlands that runs from Zaandam to the German border. This route is 242 kilometers long.
– A8 is a fairly short motorway (almost 11 kilometers) connecting the capital of the Netherlands with Zaanstad.
– The A9 connects the A1 with Amsterdam and continues as far as Alkmaar.
– A10 is the ring road of the capital of the Netherlands.
– The A12 is the motorway connecting East and West of the Netherlands. The route leads from The Hague to the German border.
– A13 is a fairly short stretch of motorway connecting The Hague and Rotterdam.
– The A15 connects the Rotterdam harbor with Nijmegen. It is worth remembering that a part of this highway is not finished yet.
– The A16 leads from Rotterdam towards the Belgian border.
– The A17 leads from the municipality of Moerdijk to Roosendaal.
– The A18 is another more than 200 km long highway that connects Zevenaar with Varsseveld.
– The A20 leads from Gouda to Maassluis.
– The A22 is a short motorway (8 km) that runs from Velsen to Beverwijk.
– The A27 leads from Breda, via Utrecht and Huizen to Almere, the youngest city in the Netherlands.
– The A28 is the motorway that connects Utrecht to Groningen.
– The A29 leads from Rotterdam to Dinteloord.
– The A30 leads from Braneveld to Ede.
– The A31 is a motorway entirely in the North of the Netherlands, connecting Harlingen to Leeuwarden.
– The A32 is over 60 kilometers long and goes from Meppel to Leeuwarden.
– The A35 leads from Enschede to Wierden.
– The A37 connects Hoogeveen with the Zwartemeer.
– The A38 was built in 1980 and leads from Ridderkerk to the junction with the A15 and A16.
– The A44 leads from Wassenaar to Nieuw-Vennep.
– The A50 is the North-South motorway of the Netherlands that runs from Eindhoven to Zwolle.
– The A58 runs from Eindhoven, via Tilburg, Breda, Roosendaal, Goes, Middelburg to Vlissingen.
– The A59 leads from Willemstad to Oss.
– The A65 connects Tilburg with Berkel-Enschot.
– The A67 runs from the border with Belgium to the border with Germany.
– A73 is the link between the A50 and A2 motorway.
– The A74 leads from Venlo to the German border.
– The A76 is another motorway in the Netherlands that goes from the Belgian to the German border.
– The A77 connects Boxmeer with the border with Germany.
– A79 is the A2 motorway junction with the A76.
– The A200 is the former A5 motorway that runs from Zwanenburg to Haarlem.
– The A208 leads from Velsen (at the A22) to Haarlem.
– The A256 connects Goes with the A58.
– The A261 leads from Tilburg to the municipality of Loon op Zand.
– The A325 is the former A52 motorway that goes from Arnhem to Nijmegen.
– The A326 connects Wijchen with Nijmengen.
– A348 is the former A48 motorway, which leads from Arnhem to Dieren.
See also motorways in Germany.
Expressways in the Netherlands
Almost all expressways in the Netherlands are also very well maintained and safe. The expressway in Dutch is autoweg. They are marked with a capital letter N on a yellow background and a two-digit number (eg N34).
Vignettes in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there are no vignettes for passenger cars traveling on motorways. Only vehicles over 12 tonnes must purchase a Eurovignette. Vignettes are available for them:
- daily
- weekly
- monthly
- annual
Their price depends not only on the length of stay, but also on the age of the car. We will pay EUR 12 for approximately one day of the Eurovignette. They can be bought traditionally at border crossings, gas stations or at special points of sale.
Another option is to purchase online.
Highway tolls in the Netherlands
As we have already mentioned, the use of motorways and expressways in the Netherlands is free for passenger cars. There are no vignettes or other applicable fees. The only thing we have to reckon with is the cost of traveling through two Dutch tunnels. There is a small fee to use the Dordse Kil tunnel (located between Gravendeel and Dordrecht) and the Westerschelde tunnel (located between the island of Zeeland and the Baarland-Terneuzen route).
And so, the cost of traveling through the Westerschelde tunnel depends on the particular category:
- motorbikes must pay a fee of 2.5 euro
- cars up to 6 meters long and up to 3 meters high pay 5 euro
- vehicles with a length of more than 6 meters and a height of up to 3 meters will pay 7.45 euro (e.g. cars with caravans)
- cars up to 12 meters long and over 3 meters high will pay 18.20 euro
- while trucks have to pay 25 euro
The cost of traveling through the Dordse Kil tunnel:
- cyclists and pedestrians pay nothing
- passenger cars up to a height of 2.3 meters have to pay 2 euro
- all other vehicles over 2.30 meters in height pay € 5
See also highways in Belgium.
What else is worth knowing about driving on motorways and expressways in the Netherlands?
When it comes to the speed we can travel on Dutch roads:
- in built-up areas, we can drive up to 50 km / h
- in undeveloped terrain, this value increases to 80 km / h
- on expressways you can drive at 100 km / h, and if we are driving with a trailer, up to 90 km / h
- on motorways, you can drive at speeds of up to 120 km / h (on some sections even up to 130 km / h), and if you are pulling a trailer, it is still only 90 km / h.
What documents do you need to have to drive a vehicle in the Netherlands?
The documents needed to drive a vehicle in the Netherlands are a driving license, valid passport or ID card, registration card with a valid technical inspection of our car, as well as civil liability. It is also worth getting an EHIC card, which entitles you to free medical treatment of European Union members.
In addition, it is worth knowing that in the Netherlands we drive in fastened seat belts. The dipped beam is only used at night and when the weather conditions are unfavorable. The car must be equipped with a warning triangle.
The following are optional: a fire extinguisher, first aid kit or spare bulbs.
In the Netherlands, children under 12 and less than 1.50 meters tall must travel in special seats. It is also forbidden to use the telephone while driving. Unless you are talking on the speakerphone. As for alcohol, the acceptable amount is 0.5 per mille. If we are a new driver (driving license under 5 years old), this limit is only 0.2 per mille.
It is also worth remembering that it was in the Netherlands that speed cameras were invented, which makes the road network here full of them. Partial speed measurements are also quite often used here. It is forbidden to sleep in cars, and campers must stand in a specially designated place.
See also highways in France.
Failure to comply with the local law and the traffic code will result in fines. Not wearing seat belts, talking on the phone or driving a red light is a penalty of at least 250 euro. Drunk driving may result in a fine of at least € 750. Speeding carries a fine of 40 euro upwards.
Fuel prices in the Netherlands are among the most expensive in Europe. The average cost of gasoline in this country is around EUR 1.53 per liter.
Important telephone numbers in the Netherlands:
- emergency number 112
- roadside assistance +31 70 314 14 14
What are your opinions on motorways in the Netherlands? We are waiting for your opinions and discussions on the forum.