It covers the stretch between Gothenburg and Karesuando via Trollhättan, Vänersborg, Mellerud, Åmål, Säffle, Grums, Sunne, Torsby, Stöllet, Malung, Mora, Sveg, Brunflo, Östersund, Strömsund, Dorotea, Vilhelmina, Storuman, Sorsele, Arvidsjaur, Jokkmokk, Gällivare, Svappavaara, and Vittangi.
It is also called Inlandsvägen (The Inland Road) as it traverses almost the entire length of Sweden.
Most sections of the road pass through substantial and thinly populated wilderness areas in western Sweden.
It goes through only one big city, Gothenburg, and a few smaller towns, Trollhättan, Säffle, Mora and Gällivare.
North of E18 the road goes through sparsely populated areas and the places passed are rather small.