R21 Highway is one of the great drives in the world
Located in the western part of Russia, the R21 Highway (Р21 Highway) is considered one of the great drives in the world, running from the Baltic Sea to the Barents Sea.
How long is the R21 Highway?
The road, also known as the Kola Motorway, is 1,340 km (832 miles) long. It is part of the E105 European route and was designated as M18 before 2018. It serves as the main transportation route by road in the Republic of Karelia and the Murmansk Oblast. The road crosses the Arctic Circle just south of the border between Karelia and the Murmansk Oblast, north of Loukhi.
Where does the R21 Highway start and end?
The road runs from Saint Petersburg, the second-largest city in Russia, located on the River Neva at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, to Murmansk, a city in the northwestern part of the country, situated at the end of a deep bay off the Barents Sea.
Is the R21 Highway paved?
The road is fully paved and generally in good condition. While it doesn’t have much traffic, it is mostly used by heavy trucks. The route passes through a severely polluted area and is usually kept open year-round. Due to its length and harsh conditions, it is important for drivers to be well-prepared when traveling this highway.