Highways in Estonia

Highways in Estonia are the main transport network in Estonia. The Estonian national classification includes several classes of highways:^[1]

Main road (põhimaantee) – highway, that connects the capital with other large cities, connects large cities and the capital with major ports, railway points and border crossings.
Basic road (tugimaantee) – highway, that connects towns with other towns and main routes.
Secondary road (kõrvalmaantee) – highway, that connects towns with boroughs, connects boroughs and villages and all of the previous with main- and support routes.

Other than these, the national road classification includes the following categories which may also be referred to as highways in a general sense, with decreasing order of priority (and applicability of the term highway):

Ice road (jäätee) - temporary road made on a frozen body of water for vehicles and pedestrians
Connecting road (ühendustee) – constructed for traffic flow on the intersections/interchanges of highways
Other (muu) – other roads in the list of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications

Main and support routes are designated with 1-2 digit numbers. Side routes are designated with 4-5 digit numbers, where the first two digits is a county code (11-25 for 15 counties), followed usually by three (rarely two, used for leftover spurs) digits. While there is no official prefix for road numbers in Estonia, T (tee) is used widely unofficially.

In addition to state highways, there are 23 920 km of local roads and around 18 398 km of private and forest roads. The total Estonian road network is estimated to be almost 59 thousand km.^[2]

Classification of highways in Estonia

The technical classification of highways is as follows:^[3]

Motorway (kiirtee) – Paved highway designated for appropriately fast-traveling motor vehicles, that does not service areas directly adjacent to it. A motorway has at least two lanes in each traveling direction, separated physically. The road must intersect with railways or other roads on separate levels. The road is entered and exited via acceleration and deceleration lanes. A road must confine to the motorway standards, when the expected AADT is 30,000.
I class – Paved highway with at least two lanes in each traveling direction, that intersects with railways or other roads on separate levels. The road is entered and exited via acceleration and deceleration lanes. A road must confine to the I class highway standards, when the expected AADT is 14,500.
II class – Paved highway, which may intersect with other roads at-grade. A road must confine to the II class highway standards, when the expected AADT is 6,000.
III class – Paved highway, which may intersect with other roads at-grade. A road must confine to the III class highway standards, when the expected AADT is 3,000.
IV class – Paved or unpaved highway, which may intersect with other roads at-grade. A road must confine to the IV class highway standards, when the expected AADT is 500.
V class – Paved or unpaved highway. A road must confine to the V class highway standards, when the expected AADT is 500.
VI class – Paved or unpaved highway. A road must confine to the VI class highway standards, when the expected AADT is 50.

Main routes

The backbone of the Estonian national route system, national main routes (põhimaanteed) make up a network of 1,602 kilometres of road, amounting to 10% of the total road network. The traffic numbers however make up nearly 50% of the Estonian road network's traffic volumes. The highest AADT's are around Tallinn, on the T1 between Loo and Maardu, on the T2 between Tallinn and Jüri, and on the T4 between Laagri and Kanama (the highest AADT on Estonian national routes at 31,000). A main route is defined as a highway, that connects the capital with other large cities, connects large cities and the capital with major ports, railway points and border crossings. Currently there are 12 separate main routes. The main routes are marked with 1–2 white digits on a red shield. The speed limits on Estonian main routes are 110 or 120 on 2+2 sections and 90 on regular roads (on newer sections of road, these are adjusted according to conditions by electronic speed limit signs).

The main routes are the only roads with I class highways. The total amount is 186.6 kilometres, found on the T1, T2, T4 and T11. This number will enlarge significantly with further upgrades of the T11 and the T2 between Kose and Mäo to I class highway. There are currently no motorways in Estonia, however 24.4 kilometres of the T2 is restricted-access I class highway. Ten main routes are a part of TEN-T, six routes are a part of the International E-road network. The routes E263, E67, E20, E264 and E265 run through Estonia.

The highways are maintained by the Estonian Road Administration outside city limits. Inside cities and towns, the roads are maintained by the city government. The first stationary speed cameras in Estonia were placed on route T2. Currently there are 67 stationary speed cameras on the main routes.

List of main routes

Route	County	Length	Description	Notes
T1	Harjumaa, Lääne-Virumaa, Ida-Virumaa	212.6 km (132.1 mi)	The T1 starts at Viru Väljak in Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn, intersects with the T11 at Väo and proceeds east towards Rakvere. The route then continues east towards Jõhvi, Sillamäe and Narva, finally terminating in Narva at the Russian border.	I class highway for 87.3 kilometres.
T2	Harjumaa, Järvamaa, Jõgevamaa, Tartumaa, Põlvamaa, Võrumaa	287.8 km (178.8 mi)	The T2 starts at Ülemiste in Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn and proceeds south-east towards Jüri. Here the road intersects with the T11. The route then continues southeast towards Tartu, Võru and Luhamaa, finally terminating in Luhamaa at the T7.	I class highway for 67.6 kilometres. Construction works ongoing to reroute road between Võõbu and Mäo as I class highway. Several 2+1 sections also exist. Longest highway in Estonia.
T3	Ida-Virumaa, Jõgevamaa, Tartumaa, Valgamaa	219.6 km (136.5 mi)	The T3 starts at the T1 interchange in Jõhvi. The road passes through Jõhvi and proceeds southwest through Ahtme and towards Tartu. After Tartu the route continues southwest towards Elva and Valga, finally terminating in Valga at the Latvian border.
T4	Harjumaa, Raplamaa, Pärnumaa	192.3 km (119.5 mi)	The T4 starts at Viru Väljak in Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn and proceeds south towards Pärnu. The route then continues south towards Märjamaa and Pärnu, finally terminating in Ikla at the Latvian border.	I class highway for 14.1 kilometres. Several 2+1 sections already exist (total 17.4 km) and several more planned.
T5	Lääne-Virumaa, Järvamaa, Pärnumaa	184.6 km (114.7 mi)	The T5 starts at the intersection with the T4 in Pärnu. The road proceeds northeast towards Paide. After intersecting with the T2 at Mäo, the route then continues northeast towards Tapa and Rakvere, finally terminating in Sõmeru at the T1.
T6	Pärnumaa, Viljandimaa, Valgamaa	124.8 km (77.5 mi)	The T6 starts at the Latvian border in Valga. The road passes through Valga and proceeds northwest towards Tõrva. After Tõrva the route continues northwest towards Uulu finally terminating in Uulu at the T4.
T7	Võrumaa	22 km (14 mi)	The T7 starts at Misso at the Latvian border. The road shortly after passes through Misso and proceeds east towards Luhamaa. The route then intersects with the T2 and continues east towards the Russian border.	Shortest highway in Estonia.
T8	Harjumaa	47.2 km (29.3 mi)	The T8 starts at Tallinn. The road passes through Tallinn, intersects with the T11 at Keila and proceeds west towards Paldiski. The route then terminates at Paldiski.
T9	Harjumaa, Läänemaa	80.5 km (50.0 mi)	The T9 starts at the interchange with the T4 in Ääsmäe. The road proceeds southwest towards Haapsalu. After intersecting with the T10 in Risti, the route continues west towards Haapsalu, finally terminating in Rohuküla port.
T10	Harjumaa, Läänemaa, Saaremaa	143.7 km (89.3 mi)	The T10 starts at the intersection with the T9 at Risti. The road proceeds southwest towards Virtsu port. The route includes a ferry crossing to Muhu island (Kuivastu port), shortly after crossing to Saaremaa via the Väinatamm causeway, after which it continues southwest towards Kuressaare, terminating there.	Only national route to include a ferry crossing.
T11	Harjumaa	38.1 km (23.7 mi)	The T11 is Tallinn's ring road. The T11 starts at the intersection with the T1 at Väo. The road passes by Jüri, intersecting with the T2, by Luige, intersecting with the 15, by Saue, intersecting with the T4 and finally terminating at Keila, when intersecting with the T8.	I class highway for 23.9 kilometres. The entire route will be upgraded to I class highway, construction works ongoing at Väo and Tammemäe.
T92	Tartumaa, Viljandimaa, Pärnumaa	122.8 km (76.3 mi)	The T92 starts at the intersection with the T2 at Tartu. The road proceeds west towards Viljandi. After going through Viljandi, the route then continues west towards Kilingi-Nõmme, finally terminating in Väljaküla at the T6.

Support routes

Support routes (tugimaanteed) are the second highest classification in the Estonian national route system. They make up a network of 2,405 kilometres of road, amounting to 15% of the total road network. A support route is defined as a highway, that connects towns with other towns and main routes. Currently there are 77 separate support routes. The support routes are marked with 2 black digits on a yellow shield. The support roads have no special prefix, as all Estonian roads have the prefix T.

List of support routes

Route	Control city	Intermediate point(s)	Control city	Length
T12	Kose ( T2)		Jägala ( T13)	36.1 km (22.4 mi)
T13	Jägala ( T1)		Käravete ( T5)	52.7 km (32.7 mi)
T14	Kose ( T2)		Purila ( T15)	39.1 km (24.3 mi)
T15	Tallinn ( T4)	Rapla	Türi ( T5)	97.2 km (60.4 mi)
T17	Keila ( T8)		Haapsalu ( T9)	68.8 km (42.8 mi)
T18	Niitvälja ( T8)		Kulna ( T17)	4.7 km (2.9 mi)
T20	Põdruse ( T1)	Kunda	Pada ( T1)	28.3 km (17.6 mi)
T21	Rakvere		Luige ( T36)	69.6 km (43.2 mi)
T22	Rakvere ( T5)	Väike-Maarja	Vägeva ( T39)	52.0 km (32.3 mi)
T23	Rakvere ( T5)		Haljala ( T1)	8.3 km (5.2 mi)
T24	Tapa ( T5)		Loobu ( T1)	26.0 km (16.2 mi)
T25	Mäeküla ( T2)	Koeru	Kapu ( T39)	25.3 km (15.7 mi)
T26	Türi ( T5)		Arkma ( T49)	21.2 km (13.2 mi)
T27	Rapla	Järvakandi	Kergu ( T58)	40.8 km (25.4 mi)
T28	Rapla		Märjamaa ( T4)	21.6 km (13.4 mi)
T29	Märjamaa ( T4)		Koluvere ( T10)	25.1 km (15.6 mi)
T31	Haapsalu ( T9)		Laiküla ( T10)	36.0 km (22.4 mi)
T32	Jõhvi ( T1)		Vasknarva	49.9 km (31.0 mi)
T33	Jõhvi ( T3)		Kose ( T32)	3.6 km (2.2 mi)
T34	Varja ( T1)		Kiviõli	8.7 km (5.4 mi)
T35	Iisaku	Tudulinna	Avinurme ( T21)	33.5 km (20.8 mi)
T36	Jõgeva		Mustvee	38.9 km (24.2 mi)
T37	Jõgeva		Põltsamaa	26.1 km (16.2 mi)
T38	Põltsamaa		Võhma ( T49)	27.6 km (17.1 mi)
T39	Tartu ( T3)	Jõgeva	Aravete ( T5)	108.0 km (67.1 mi)
T40	Tartu ( T3)		Tiksoja ( T2)	7.0 km (4.3 mi)
T41	Kärevere ( T2)		Kärkna ( T39)	12.9 km (8.0 mi)
T42	Kärkna ( T39)		Kobratu ( T3)	7.1 km (4.4 mi)
T43	Aovere ( T3)	Kallaste	Kasepää ( T3)	57.0 km (35.4 mi)
T44	Aovere ( T43)		Luunja ( T45)	11.4 km (7.1 mi)
T45	Tartu ( T3)	Räpina	Värska	85.5 km (53.1 mi)
T46	Tatra ( T2)	Otepää	Sangaste ( T69)	46.6 km (29.0 mi)
T47	Sangla ( T92)		Rõngu ( T52)	22.4 km (13.9 mi)
T49	Imavere ( T2)	Viljandi	Karksi-Nuia ( T6)	82.1 km (51.0 mi)
T50	Aindu ( T49)		Viljandi ( T92) (also known as Viljandi road)	4.4 km (2.7 mi)
T51	Viljandi		Põltsamaa ( T38)	43.4 km (27.0 mi)
T52	Viljandi		Rõngu ( T3)	61.1 km (38.0 mi)
T53	Ojaperve ( T49)		Viiratsi ( T52) (also known as Laidu road)	3.6 km (2.2 mi)
T54	Karksi-Nuia ( T6)	Lilli	border with Latvia	17.0 km (10.6 mi)
T55	Kamara ( T6)	Mõisaküla	border with Latvia (also known as Mõisaküla road)	4.4 km (2.7 mi)
T57	Mudiste ( T49)	Suure-Jaani	Vändra ( T5)	42.8 km (26.6 mi)
T58	Aluste ( T5)		Kergu ( T27)	12.2 km (7.6 mi)
T59	Pärnu ( T4)		Tori ( T5)	23.5 km (14.6 mi)
T60	Pärnu ( T4)		Lihula ( T10)	56.1 km (34.9 mi)
T61	Põlva		Reola ( T2)	37.1 km (23.1 mi)
T62	Kanepi ( T2)		Leevaku ( T45)	41.8 km (26.0 mi)
T63	Karisilla ( T45)	Koidula border checkpoint with Russia	Petseri (Печоры)	17.8 km (11.1 mi)
T64	Võru		Põlva	24.7 km (15.3 mi)
T65	Võru		Räpina	44.0 km (27.3 mi)
T66	Võru		Verijärve ( T2)	6.5 km (4.0 mi)
T67	Võru	Mõniste	Valga	83.3 km (51.8 mi)
T68	Mõniste ( T67)	border with Latvia	Ape	8.9 km (5.5 mi)
T69	Võru ( T2)	Kuigasti	Tõrva ( T6)	71.3 km (44.3 mi)
T70	Antsla		Vaabina ( T69)	6.9 km (4.3 mi)
T71	Rõngu ( T3)	Otepää	Kanepi ( T2)	39.3 km (24.4 mi)
T72	Sangaste ( T69)		Tõlliste ( T3)	16.6 km (10.3 mi)
T73	Tõrva ( T6)		Pikasilla ( T52)	12.0 km (7.5 mi)
T75	Tumala ( T10)	Orissaare	Väinatamm causeway ( T10)	8.3 km (5.2 mi)
T76	Kuressaare ring road			13.5 km (8.4 mi)
T77	Kuressaare		Sääre	47.4 km (29.5 mi)
T78	Kuressaare	Kihelkonna	Veere	47.8 km (29.7 mi)
T79	Upa ( T10)		Leisi	36.8 km (22.9 mi)
T80	Heltermaa port	Kärdla	Luidja ( T84)	50.2 km (31.2 mi)
T81	Kärdla		Käina ( T83)	21.7 km (13.5 mi)
T82	T80		Lehtma port (also known as Lehtma port road)	7.0 km (4.3 mi)
T83	Suuremõisa ( T80)	Käina	Emmaste	31.2 km (19.4 mi)
T84	Emmaste ( T83)		Luidja ( T80)	29.9 km (18.6 mi)
T85	Liiapeksi ( T1)		Loksa	15.5 km (9.6 mi)
T86	Kuressaare	Võhma	Panga	36.8 km (22.9 mi)
T87	Põlva ring road			6.0 km (3.7 mi)
T88	Rakvere		Rannapungerja ( T3)	70.8 km (44.0 mi)
T89	Põlva		Saverna ( T2)	20.4 km (12.7 mi)
T90	Põlva		Karisilla ( T45)	34.2 km (21.3 mi)
T91	Narva ( T1)	Narva-Jõesuu	Hiiemetsa ( T1)	26.3 km (16.3 mi)
T93	Kohtla-Järve	Kukruse	Tammiku ( T3)	15.6 km (9.7 mi)
T94	Liivamäe ( T1)		Muuga container port (also known as Muuga port road)	3.4 km (2.1 mi)
T95	Kõrveküla ( T3)		Tartu	1.9 km (1.2 mi)

Secondary routes

Secondary roads make up the vast majority of Estonia's road network and form the backbone of rural transport. There are a total of 1785 secondary roads in the registry, the shortest of them 70 metres and the longest 76,8 kilometres long. The county codes used in the numbering system are as follows:

County	Digits
Harjumaa	11xxx
Hiiumaa	12xxx
Ida-Virumaa	13xxx
Jõgevamaa	14xxx
Järvamaa	15xxx
Läänemaa	16xxx
Lääne-Virumaa	17xxx
Põlvamaa	18xxx
Pärnumaa	19xxx
Raplamaa	20xxx
Saaremaa	21xxx
Tartumaa	22xxx
Valgamaa	23xxx
Viljandimaa	24xxx
Võrumaa	25xxx

European routes

Estonia is a part of the UNECE, and therefore also has numerous E-roads running through it. The E-roads in Estonia form a network on top of the main routes and are usually signposted on all signs. They make up a network of 994 kilometres (618 miles) of road. Currently there are six separate European routes in Estonia.

List of European routes

Route	Estonian route	Control cities	Length
E20	T1	Tallinn, Narva	212.6 km (132.1 mi)
E67	T4	Tallinn, Pärnu, Ikla	192.3 km (119.5 mi)
E77	T7	Luhamaa border checkpoint, Misso border crossing	22.0 km (13.7 mi)
E263	T2	Tallinn, Tartu, Võru, Luhamaa	287.8 km (178.8 mi)
E264	T3	Jõhvi, Tartu, Valga	219.6 km (136.5 mi)
E265	T8 / T11	Tallinn ring road, Paldiski	60.4 km (37.5 mi)

Former (historical) roads

Piibe road

References

^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2016-07-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ Eesti teedevõrk Transpordiamet (Retrieved 2021-08-22)
^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2016-07-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)