It starts at the intersection with the Ring Amsterdam (the A10 motorway) at interchange Coenplein, and leads past Oostzaan, interchange Zaandam, and Zaandijk towards its terminus, just 10 kilometers from its beginning at the Coenplein, near Assendelft.

[1] In the 1970s, this road was planned to be extended for about 5 extra kilometers towards the A9 motorway, between the interchange Beverwijk and the exit Heemskerk.

However, due to the rising oil prices and the congestion which was already a problem at the A10 near the Coenplein, it was decided not to do so after all.

In 2021 plans were made to construct a new road between the A8 and A9 motorways, in order to improve accessibility of the Zaanstreek and the IJmond region.

Media related to Rijksweg 8 at Wikimedia Commons