越える and 通る: crossing a pass and passing through a tunnel
Compare going beyond a pass or boundary with following a tunnel route, keeping a completed crossing separate from the end of a journey.
Going beyond a reference point
越える, read こえる, can describe crossing a pass or boundary. 峠を越えて村に入りました。 says that someone crossed the pass and entered the village.
県境を越えました。 says that someone crossed the prefectural boundary. Reaching its other side differs from arriving at the final destination.
Passing through a route
通る, read とおる, describes passing along a route. トンネルを通って海へ出ました。 says that someone passed through the tunnel and came out toward the sea.
この道は村の中を通ります。 says that this road passes through the village. It describes the road’s course rather than going over village rooftops.
A boundary and a route in one journey
トンネルを通って県境を越えました。 says that someone passed through the tunnel and crossed the prefectural boundary. The tunnel is the route, and the boundary is the reference crossed.
峠を越えましたが、宿にはまだ着いていません。 says that someone crossed the pass but has not yet reached the lodging. A completed crossing and final arrival are separate results.
Does 県境を越えました。 establish arrival at the lodging?
Show the answer and why
No. It states the past action of crossing the prefectural boundary. Arrival at the lodging needs separate confirmation.