Driving Roads in Norway

Explore scenic and exciting driving roads across Norway.

Andøya

Norway

Gamle Strynefjellsvegen

Sekundær Fylkesvei 17

Driving in Norway

Norway offers an unusually varied road network shaped by mountains, fjords, islands and a deeply indented coastline. In western Norway, routes frequently climb from fjord level onto high plateaus, with tight bends, tunnels, bridges and ferry crossings forming part of the journey. Well-known examples include Geiranger–Trollstigen, Sognefjellet, Aurlandsfjellet and the historic Gamle Strynefjellsvegen. Farther south, Hardangervidda crosses an open mountain plateau, while Atlanterhavsvegen links low coastal islands with bridges exposed to the Norwegian Sea. Northern routes through Lofoten, Senja, Helgeland and Varanger combine rugged peaks with fishing settlements, beaches and Arctic coastline. Norway also maintains 18 designated Norwegian Scenic Routes, generally using existing regional roads as alternatives to faster main routes. Many interesting roads are narrow and shared with local traffic, cyclists and motorhomes, so journey times can be considerably longer than distance alone suggests.

Season & conditions

Many main roads and important mountain crossings are maintained through winter, but severe snow, wind and drifting conditions can cause temporary closures or convoy-controlled driving. Several higher scenic roads, including Gamle Strynefjellsvegen and parts of other mountain routes, close for the winter and reopen only after snow clearance. Opening periods vary significantly with altitude and weather. Even after seasonal reopening, storms can cause short-notice restrictions, so current road and mountain-pass conditions should be checked before departure.

Tolls & access

Norway uses extensive automatic road tolling rather than a national motorway vignette. Vehicles are recorded electronically at toll points, including those around some cities, and charges vary by vehicle category, location, emissions and sometimes time of day. Foreign-registered vehicles are also liable; drivers can register through the applicable foreign-vehicle payment system or use an AutoPASS agreement and tag where appropriate. Some ferries and privately operated roads may involve separate charges, so route-specific costs should be checked when planning scenic drives.