Norway road trip itineraries: 5, 7 and 10 days
How long do you need in Norway, and what can you realistically see? Here are three road trip skeletons, for 5, 7 and 10 days, that you can adapt to your own pace.
Norway rewards going slowly. Roads wind, ferries set the pace and the best moments are the unplanned stops. The plans below are starting points, not checklists. For door-to-door routes with maps and stops, see our journeys; for the legs in between, the scenic routes.
5 days: the western fjords in a nutshell
The classic short trip, based around Fjord Norway. Start in Bergen, head to the Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord with a ride on the Flåm railway, then loop through Hardanger with its waterfalls and orchards before returning. Five days is enough to feel one region properly without rushing.
7 days: fjords plus the icons
With a week you can add the showstoppers of Møre og Romsdal: the Geirangerfjord, the hairpins of the Trollstigen, Art Nouveau Ålesund and the Atlantic Ocean Road. A common shape is Bergen to the Sognefjord to Geiranger to Ålesund, linking the best scenic routes as you go.
10 days: fjords and the far north, or a southern loop
Ten days to two weeks opens up the big combinations. One option is to pair the western fjords with a flight north to Lofoten for a few days of island driving and short, sharp hikes. Another is a full southern loop from Oslo through the eastern mountains, over to Stavanger and the Lysefjord for Preikestolen, and back via the fjords.
Tips for building your own
- Plan around ferries and seasonal road openings; check our driving guide.
- Budget far more time per distance than at home; mountain roads are slow.
- Pick one or two regions rather than crossing the whole country.
- Use overnight towns as natural breaks, which doubles as charging stops for an EV trip.
When you are ready, start from a region or browse all journeys and day trips.
Frequently asked questions
- How many days do you need for a Norway road trip?
- Five days is enough for one fjord region, seven lets you link two, and ten to fourteen days lets you combine the fjords with either Lofoten in the north or a fuller southern loop. Distances are long, so do not try to see everything.
- What is the most scenic road trip in Norway?
- The classic is the western fjords: Bergen, the Sognefjord and Nærøyfjord, Geiranger and the Trollstigen, and the Atlantic Ocean Road. For raw drama further north, Lofoten is the highlight.
- Is it better to drive Oslo to Bergen or fly?
- Driving Oslo to Bergen lets you see the mountains, Hardanger and the fjords on the way and is a highlight in itself. Flying saves a day if your time is tight. The Bergen railway is a scenic alternative if you would rather not drive that leg.