Norway's roads are among the most spectacular on earth. The country has invested heavily in mountain tunnels, cliff-side bridges and ferry routes that stitch together an archipelago of fjords, islands and peaks that would otherwise be impassable. The Scenic Routes (Nasjonal Turistveger) are 18 designated drives that represent the very best the country has to offer — each one is a masterpiece.
Best airports & pick-up locations
- Oslo (OSL) — central Norway, fjord country within 2 hours, Telemark canal road.
- Bergen (BGO) — gateway to the western fjords: Sognefjord, Hardangerfjord, Flåm.
- Tromsø (TOS) — Arctic Norway, Lofoten Islands access, Northern Lights capital.
- Ålesund (AES) — Geiranger Fjord, Trollstigen, the Atlantic Ocean Road.
Driving in Norway
- Drive on the right. Speed limits: 90–110 km/h highways, 80 km/h national roads, 50 km/h urban. Speed cameras are everywhere.
- Toll roads and ferry crossings are common — a BraBrikke pass (AutoPASS) is included with most hire cars.
- Winter tyres are mandatory October–April (studded or winter-approved). Mountain passes close in winter — check vegvesen.no.
- Narrow fjord-side roads and mountain passes require slow, cautious driving with careful use of passing places.
Local tips & best routes
The Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsveien) is Norway's most photographed drive — a series of bridges and causeways crossing tiny islands and skerries in the Atlantic. Trollstigen ('Troll's Ladder') is a 9% gradient mountain pass with 11 hairpin bends — incredible in good weather, frightening in rain. The Geiranger Fjord road (UNESCO World Heritage) drops 620m to the water via the Eagle Road — one of Europe's most dramatic descents.