At a Glance
Quick OverviewNorway’s roads are destinations in themselves-engineering marvels that climb impossible gradients, bridge island chains, and tunnel through mountains. With 18 designated National Scenic Routes covering over 2,000 kilometres of the country’s most beautiful roads, Norway offers road trips that rival anywhere on Earth.
From the serpentine switchbacks of Trollstigen to the island-hopping bridges of the Atlantic Road, from the Arctic grandeur of Lofoten to the pastoral beauty of Hardanger’s fruit orchards, Norwegian road trips combine world-class scenery with excellent infrastructure and a driving culture that prioritises experience over speed.
Classic Road Trip Itineraries
1. Atlantic Road & Trollstigen Loop (3-5 days)
Norway’s most iconic scenic driving in one concentrated loop.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start/End | �lesund |
| Distance | ~350 km |
| Highlights | Atlantic Road, Trollstigen, Geirangerfjord |
| Best Season | May-September |
Itinerary:
Day 1: �lesund
- Explore Art Nouveau town
- Aksla viewpoint
- Evening in charming centre
Day 2: Atlantic Road
- Drive to Kristiansund via Atlantic Road
- Multiple stops for photos
- Return to Molde area
Day 3: Trollstigen
- Early start for Trollstigen
- Climb the switchbacks
- Viewpoint platforms
- Continue to Geiranger
Day 4: Geirangerfjord
- Fjord cruise or kayak
- Eagle Road viewpoints
- Return via �rnevegen
Day 5: Return to �lesund
- Scenic coast drive
- Final exploration
2. Lofoten Islands Adventure (7-10 days)
Arctic archipelago road trip through Norway’s most photogenic region.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start | Bod� (ferry) or drive via E6 |
| End | � i Lofoten |
| Distance | ~400 km through islands |
| Best Season | June-September |
Highlights:
- Svolv�r (mountain town)
- Henningsv�r (Venice of Lofoten)
- Hamn�y (iconic red cabins)
- Reine (Norway’s most beautiful village)
- � (end of road, fishing museum)
Tips:
- Book rorbu cabins well ahead
- Allow time for hiking
- Midnight sun in summer
- Northern Lights in shoulder season
3. Sognefjord & Hardanger Circle (5-7 days)
Fjord Norway’s heart with waterfalls, orchards, and the Fl�m Railway.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start/End | Bergen |
| Distance | ~600 km |
| Highlights | Sognefjord, Fl�m, Hardanger, waterfalls |
| Best Season | May-September |
Day-by-Day:
Days 1-2: Bergen to Sognefjord
- Drive to Balestrand
- Ferry across Sognefjord
- Explore fjord villages
Day 3: Fl�m
- Fl�m Railway experience
- Aurlandsfjord
- Stegastein viewpoint
Day 4: Aurlandsfjellet
- Scenic mountain road
- Snow road (summer)
- Continue to L�rdal
Day 5-6: Hardanger
- V�ringfossen waterfall
- Hardanger orchards (May blossoms)
- Trolltunga option (add day)
Day 7: Return to Bergen
- Coastal drive
- Final stops
4. Northern Norway Epic (10-14 days)
Trondheim to Troms� through Arctic landscapes.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start | Trondheim |
| End | Troms� |
| Distance | ~1,200 km |
| Best Season | June-August |
Key Stops:
- Trondheim (Nidaros Cathedral)
- Helgeland coast (Seven Sisters)
- Arctic Circle crossing
- Saltstraumen maelstrom
- Bod� (Lofoten access)
- Vester�len islands
- Senja island
- Troms�
Options:
- Add Lofoten detour (extra 3-4 days)
- Continue to North Cape (extra 3 days)
5. South Norway Coastal Route (5-7 days)
Charming white towns and beaches along the southern coast.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Start | Oslo |
| End | Stavanger |
| Distance | ~600 km |
| Best Season | May-September |
Highlights:
- Krager� archipelago
- Ris�r (white wooden town)
- Grimstad
- Kristiansand
- Lindesnes lighthouse
- Flekkefjord
- Lysefjord (Preikestolen)
- Stavanger
National Scenic Routes
The 18 Designated Routes
| Route | Region | Length | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanterhavsveien | M�re og Romsdal | 36 km | Coastal bridges |
| Trollstigen | M�re og Romsdal | 106 km | Mountain passes |
| Geiranger-Trollstigen | Fjord Norway | 106 km | Fjord and mountains |
| Hardanger | Western Norway | 158 km | Fjords, waterfalls |
| Aurlandsfjellet | Inner Sogn | 47 km | Mountain plateau |
| Sognefjellet | Central | 108 km | Highest mountain pass |
| Lofoten | Arctic | 230 km | Islands |
| Senja | Arctic | 102 km | Island coast |
| And�ya | Arctic | 58 km | Coastal |
| Helgelandskysten | Nordland | 433 km | Coastal islands |
| Others | Various | Various | See visitnorway.com |
Must-Drive Scenic Routes
Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Road):
- 8.3 km of engineering marvel
- 8 bridges between islands
- Storseisundet Bridge (iconic)
- Storm watching in autumn
Trollstigen:
- 11 hairpin bends
- 858m elevation
- Stigfossen waterfall
- Architectural viewpoints
Sognefjellet:
- Norway’s highest pass road
- 1,434m elevation
- Jotunheimen views
- Summer-only
Aurlandsfjellet:
- Mountain plateau crossing
- Stegastein viewpoint
- Snow walls in June
- Connects to Fl�m
Planning Your Road Trip
When to Go
| Season | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| May-June | Roads opening, long days | Some passes still closed |
| July-August | All open, midnight sun | Peak tourist season |
| September | Autumn colours, quieter | Passes may close late month |
| October-April | Winter conditions | Many scenic roads closed |
Car Hire Tips
Where to Hire:
- Major airports (Oslo, Bergen, Troms�)
- City centres
- Book well ahead for summer
What to Consider:
- Automatic vs manual (automatic costs more)
- Size (smaller is easier on narrow roads)
- AWD (not essential but helpful)
- Insurance (Norwegian insurance is excellent)
Costs:
- Economy: �50-65/day
- Compact: �55-80/day
- SUV/AWD: �80-120/day
- Book early for better rates
Driving Considerations
Road Conditions:
- Generally excellent
- Often narrow and winding
- Single-track sections exist
- Many tunnels (some very long)
Speeds:
- Motorways: 90-110 km/h
- Rural roads: 60-80 km/h
- Built-up areas: 30-50 km/h
- Strictly enforced
Ferries:
- Essential for many routes
- No booking needed (usually)
- Pay onboard or app
- Can create delays in peak season
Costs to Budget
| Expense | Daily Estimate |
|---|---|
| Car hire | �55-100 |
| Fuel | �25-40 |
| Tolls | �8-16 |
| Ferries | �16-40 (varies) |
| Accommodation | �80-160 |
| Food | �40-65 |
| Total | �225-420/day |
Accommodation on the Road
Options
Cabins (Hytter):
- Self-catering
- Scenic locations
- Book ahead in summer
- Great value
Hotels:
- In towns and along routes
- Breakfast often included
- Varying quality
Camping:
- Many campgrounds
- Wild camping allowed (with restrictions)
- Cabin rentals at campgrounds
Booking Strategy
- Book key nights early (Lofoten, popular fjords)
- Leave flexibility for spontaneity
- Mix pre-booked and on-route booking
- Consider cancellation policies
Practical Tips
Navigation
- GPS essential
- Download offline maps
- Some areas have poor signal
- Follow scenic route signs (brown with white frame)
Fuel
- Stations in all towns
- Fewer in remote areas
- Fill up when you can
- Credit card operated (some 24-hour)
Safety
- Drive to conditions, not speed limits
- Use passing places correctly
- Watch for sheep/reindeer on roads
- Take breaks on long drives
- Respect tunnels (lights on, stay in lane)
Photography Stops
- Use designated viewpoints
- Don’t stop on roadside in dangerous spots
- Allow time for spontaneous stops
- Best light: early morning, late evening
Sample 14-Day Itinerary
Ultimate Norway Road Trip
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Oslo, city | Oslo |
| 2 | Oslo to Geilo | Geilo |
| 3 | Hardangervidda, V�ringfossen | Eidfjord |
| 4 | Hardanger, to Bergen | Bergen |
| 5 | Bergen exploration | Bergen |
| 6 | Bergen to Fl�m | Fl�m |
| 7 | Fl�m Railway, Aurlandsfjellet | Sogndal |
| 8 | Sognefjellet, Lom | Geiranger |
| 9 | Geirangerfjord, Trollstigen | �ndalsnes |
| 10 | Atlantic Road | Kristiansund |
| 11 | Coastal route south | �lesund |
| 12 | �lesund, coast drive | Nordfjord |
| 13 | Return toward Bergen | Bergen area |
| 14 | Depart Bergen | - |
Distance: ~1,500 km Ferries: 3-5 Highlight Density: Very high
Seasonal Considerations
Summer (June-August)
Pros:
- All roads open
- Long days (midnight sun north)
- Best weather probability
- Full services
Cons:
- Peak crowds
- Higher prices
- Book ahead essential
- Ferry queues
Shoulder Season (May, September)
Pros:
- Fewer tourists
- Lower prices
- Autumn colours (Sept)
- Still decent weather
Cons:
- Some passes closed
- Shorter days
- Variable weather
- Reduced services
Winter (October-April)
Pros:
- Northern Lights possible
- Dramatic scenery
- Empty roads
- Low season prices
Cons:
- Many scenic routes closed
- Challenging driving
- Winter tyres required
- Limited daylight
Final Thoughts
Norwegian road trips reward slow travel-the journey truly is the destination. With excellent roads, stunning viewpoints, and landscapes that change around every curve, Norway delivers driving experiences that justify crossing an ocean to experience.
Whether you have a long weekend for the Atlantic Road or two weeks for a fjord-to-Arctic odyssey, plan for flexibility, pack for weather, and leave space in your schedule for the spontaneous discoveries that make road trips memorable. The next viewpoint might just be the most spectacular yet.
For more driving information, see our guides to Norwegian Coastal Route, Driving in Norway Tips, and Lofoten Islands Guide.