1 Ryfylke Tunnel, Norway – 8.98 miles (14.46km)
Currently holding the title of the world’s longest undersea road tunnel, the Ryfylke Tunnel spans approximately 8.98 miles, linking Stavanger to the Ryfylke region in Norway. It was built to reduce dependence on ferry transportation and is now integrated into the broader Rogfast project, which aims to connect multiple islands via underwater tunnels. As this project progresses, Ryfylke may eventually lose its status as the longest.
Completed in 2019 after seven years of construction, the tunnel is subject to toll fees to help offset its development costs.
2 Zigana Tunnel, Turkiye – 8.99 miles (14.48km)
Located near Türkiye’s northern coastline, the Zigana Tunnel cuts through challenging mountainous terrain to bypass the often snow-covered Zigana Pass.
Construction began in 2016 and was completed in 2023. At 8.99 miles long, it stands as Türkiye’s longest road tunnel. The tunnel shortens the route previously taken over the exposed pass by five miles and reduces travel time by approximately 20 minutes during the summer months.
3 Muzhailing Tunnel, China – 9.46 miles (15.22km)
Engineers encountered numerous challenges while constructing the Muzhailing Tunnel in China’s Gansu Province. Situated at high altitude and within a seismically active zone, the location is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.
Despite these difficult conditions, the tunnel was successfully built using NPR anchor cabling technology. This method secures the structure to the surrounding rock and enables it to endure ground movement and deformation caused by seismic activity—making it one of the most resilient long road tunnels in the world.
4 Tiantaishan Tunnel, China – 9.67 miles (15.56)
Completed at a cost of 2.75 billion Chinese Yuan (around £300 million), the Tiantaishan Tunnel is considered relatively economical by road tunnel construction standards. Work began in 2016, and the tunnel was fully operational by 2021—a notably fast timeline for such a complex project.
Its rapid completion is even more remarkable given the tunnel’s high-altitude location and the harsh, cold climate of Shaanxi Province in northwest China.
5 Gotthard Road Tunnel, Switzerland – 10.46 miles (16.84km)
Once holding the title of the world’s longest road tunnel, Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel has since been surpassed by newer, longer tunnels. Despite this, it remains one of the longest-operating tunnels in the top 10, having opened in 1980.
Construction on the Gotthard Road Tunnel began in 1970, and it carries vehicles at an elevation reaching up to 1,175 meters (3,855 feet)—which is higher than Wales’ Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).
6 Jinpingshan Tunnel, China – 10.90 miles (17.54km)
Unlike the other tunnels in the top 10, the Jinpingshan Tunnel limits the types of vehicles allowed to use it. This restriction exists because the tunnel was specifically constructed to connect the Jinping Dam—the tallest dam in the world—with another nearby hydropower facility.
Located in a seismically active region of southwest China, the tunnel’s limited access is partly due to geological risks and also due to heightened security measures protecting the hydroelectric infrastructure.
7 Zhongnanshan Tunnel, China – 11.21 miles (18.04km)
Located near the Tiantaishan Tunnel, the Zhongnanshan Tunnel surpasses its neighbor both in length and in how far it extends beneath the Earth’s surface. Reaching a maximum depth of 1,640 meters, it ranks among the world’s deepest tunnels.
Remarkably, construction took just five years—comparable to the time required for many shorter, shallower tunnels in China. Work began in 2002, and upon opening in 2007, the Zhongnanshan Tunnel was the longest tunnel in Asia.
8 Yamate Tunnel, Japan – 11.3 miles (18.20km)
The Yamate Tunnel in Tokyo, Japan, can be compared to London’s Blackwall Tunnel—but on a much larger scale. While the Blackwall Tunnel stretches just three-quarters of a mile and sits about 1.7 meters below the riverbed, the Yamate Tunnel extends for 11.3 miles and runs as deep as 30 meters beneath Tokyo’s bustling population.
To this day, the Yamate Tunnel holds the distinction of being the longest urban tunnel in the world.
9 WestConnex, Australia – 13.67 miles (22.0km)
Completed in November 2023, the WestConnex Tunnel is a key component of Sydney’s efforts to reduce traffic congestion. As Australia’s largest road infrastructure project to date, the tunnel itself spans 13.67 miles and forms part of a broader 20.5-mile motorway designed to improve traffic flow.
Once fully operational, this motorway will connect Sydney’s suburbs, airport, North Shore, and city center. Much of the land above the tunnel has been transformed into parks, playgrounds, and open spaces for the enjoyment of local residents.
10 Lærdal Tunnel, Norway – 15.23 miles (24.51km)
Leading the list of the world’s longest road tunnels is Norway’s Lærdal Tunnel, stretching 15.23 miles underground. Construction began in 1995, and the tunnel opened in 2000. The project took around 20 years of planning and cost about 1.1 billion Norwegian Kroner (£85 million), making it a relatively economical feat in the realm of road tunneling.
Its lower cost is largely due to the stable rock conditions, which eliminated the need for tunnel lining or earthquake-proofing—since significant seismic activity is rare in Norway. The tunnel connects the towns of Lærdal and Aurland and features two separate tubes, each designated for one-way traffic to enhance safety.