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If you are worried about driving in Norway for the first time, the good news is that it felt much easier than we had expected once we got going.
The part that felt most unfamiliar at first was not driving on the right. We were already used to that. It was more the size of the car, which felt bigger than what we would normally drive at home.
Once that first bit was out of the way, the driving itself felt very manageable. The roads were generally in good condition, people did not drive aggressively, and a lot of it felt calmer than we had built up in our heads before the trip.
If you are wondering what the roads are really like, whether tunnels and ferries feel stressful, and what is actually worth paying attention to before you set off, we’ll cover that next.
Quick Answer: Is Driving In Norway Difficult?
No, we did not find driving in Norway difficult overall. Once we were on the road, it felt much calmer and more manageable than we had expected.
The thing that needed the most attention was not the roads themselves. It was the speed limits. They were often lower than what we are used to in the UK, so it was very easy to creep above them without really meaning to. Our car even beeped when we did, which got slightly annoying after a while.
A few junctions felt unfamiliar at first too, but the roads were not especially busy, so there was usually time to slow down, look properly, and take your time.
So if you are wondering what actually matters most, we would pay more attention to the speed limits than to worrying that the roads themselves are going to feel too difficult.
What It Actually Felt Like To Drive In Norway
Main Roads And Motorways Felt Easier Than Expected
What stood out most to us was how calm the driving felt once we were actually doing it. The roads were not especially busy, people did not drive aggressively, and there was usually time to slow down and take things properly.
The main roads and motorways felt easy from the start. They were the least stressful part of the driving and never felt like the bit we needed to worry about.
Scenic Roads Needed More Patience
The scenic roads obviously needed a bit more attention, but they were still very manageable. They were not the kind of roads that made the whole trip feel difficult.
The scenery does make it tempting to stop, but a lot of the time there was a lay-by or a clear place to pull in at the main viewpoints.
The Parts That Felt Easier Than We Had Built Up In Our Heads
On some of the quieter scenic roads, there was so little traffic that we could just stop briefly for a photo without it feeling like a big deal.
What helped most was that Norway never felt rushed. Even when a junction looked a bit unfamiliar, there was usually space to slow down, look properly, and work out what you were doing without feeling like other drivers were right on top of you.
For us, that made a big difference. The driving felt more steady and manageable than we had imagined before the trip.
The Things That Feel Different At First
Roundabouts Take More Concentration At First
The part that felt most different for us was not driving on the right in general. We were already used to that. It was more the little moments where your brain has to adjust, especially at roundabouts.
Coming from the UK, it felt strange at first to go round a roundabout the other way. That was probably the part where we had to concentrate most.
It Still Felt Manageable Once We Slowed Down
The good thing was that it still felt manageable. The roads were not so busy that you were being forced to make rushed decisions, which made it much easier to slow down, look properly, and get it right.
That made a big difference in those first few moments where something felt unfamiliar.
Understanding what matters most when hiring a car in Norway can also make those first driving days feel easier, especially when choosing the vehicle size, transmission and luggage space.
The Driving Culture Felt More Reserved
One small difference we noticed was that other drivers did not really acknowledge things in the way we are used to in the UK. At home, people often put a hand up or give a little flash to say thanks, but we did not really notice much of that in Norway.
That did not make the driving bad at all. It just felt a bit more reserved and less communicative than what we are used to.
The Rules Worth Knowing Before You Set Off
Speed Limits Matter More Than You Might Think
The rule we were most aware of was the speed limit. We had been warned that fines were high, so that was always in the back of our minds.
As a rough guide, built-up areas are usually 50 km/h, country roads are often 80 km/h, and motorways are usually 90, 100 or 110 km/h depending on the stretch. That was lower than what we are used to in the UK, which is why it felt easy to creep over if we were not paying attention.
Google Maps sometimes alerted us to speed cameras, but we were more aware of actively watching our speed than clearly spotting the cameras themselves.
The Main Basics Are Easy Enough To Know
A few other basics are worth knowing before you set off. You drive on the right, seatbelts are compulsory, handheld phone use is not allowed, and the drink-drive limit is very low.
Headlights are meant to be on as well, even though that was not something that really stood out to us while we were driving.
It Is More About Taking The Rules Seriously Than Memorising Everything
For us, the main thing was not trying to remember every little detail. It was just knowing that Norway expects people to drive carefully, stick to the limits, and not treat the roads casually.
That is really what matters most before you start.
What Norwegian Roads Are Actually Like
Main Roads And Motorways Felt Straightforward
The roads themselves were generally in very good condition, and a lot of them felt easier than we had expected once we were actually driving.
One thing we really noticed was the quality of the road surfaces. They felt well maintained, which made a difference, especially on longer driving days.
Scenic Roads Needed A Bit More Patience
The scenic roads obviously needed a bit more attention, but they were still very manageable. Even on narrower stretches, people were driving sensibly and more slowly, so it never felt chaotic or aggressive.
We did meet oncoming cars, coaches, and motorhomes on roads like the Trollstigen route, where things could feel tighter. But because everyone seemed to take those roads at the pace they needed, it never felt like a problem.
Towns And Villages Felt Similar, Just Slower
Driving through towns and villages did not feel wildly different from the rest of the trip. It was more that everything naturally felt a bit slower.
That made it easier in a way, because it never felt like you were suddenly dealing with a completely different kind of driving. It was more just a slower version of the same steady pace.
That is what stood out most to us. The roads did not feel difficult in themselves. They just felt like the kind of roads where you stay aware, slow down when you need to, and accept that you are not going to rush through them.
Tunnels, Mountain Roads And Ferries
Tunnels Quickly Start To Feel Normal
Tunnels are such a common part of driving in Norway that they quickly stopped feeling unusual. At first they felt a bit quirky, but after a while they just became part of the drive.
The only downside was that they cut the scenery off for long stretches, which did make them feel a bit dull after a while.
Before setting off on longer driving days, it is worth checking the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s traffic information for roadworks, tunnels, mountain passes, ferries and current driving conditions.
Some Tunnels Felt More Memorable Than Others
A couple stood out more than the rest. We drove through some with roundabouts inside, which felt strange at first, and a few had a short burst of colour on the tunnel roof that broke things up a bit.
We also drove through the world’s longest road tunnel after visiting Flåm, and if we are honest, we found it very boring. It is impressive in one way, but not especially enjoyable to drive through.
The One Thing That Felt A Bit More Disconcerting
Most tunnels were absolutely fine, but we did have one where the tunnel was unlit and traffic was coming towards us. That felt much more unsettling than the normal lit tunnels.
We also noticed that going from bright sunshine into tunnel lighting, then back out into bright light again, made your eyes feel a bit sensitive. It was not a big problem, but it was something we noticed more than once.
Ferries And Mountain Roads Soon Felt Like Part Of The Journey
Mountain roads and ferries both felt much more normal once we were actually doing them.
The mountain stretches never felt especially dramatic to us. They were more like slower roads where you stayed aware and took your time.
The same was true of the ferries. Once we had completed the first crossing, they stopped feeling like a separate, stressful part of the trip and simply became part of how you move through Norway.
Understanding how Norway’s vehicle ferries work before setting off can make that first crossing feel much more straightforward.
What To Be Ready For On A Longer Road Trip
Weather Can Change More Quickly Than You Expect
The weather was more something to be aware of than something that caused a real problem for us. But we did notice how quickly it could change once you gained a bit of height.
The clearest example was driving up the hill behind Geiranger, where the weather changed from grey drizzle lower down to sleet at the top. It was not unmanageable, but it was enough to remind us that conditions can shift quite quickly.
Thinking about when to visit Norway for the easiest driving conditions can make a real difference, especially if your route includes higher mountain roads and viewpoints.
Longer Days Feel Better When You Do Not Rush
What mattered more than anything was not trying to cram too much into one day. Norway is much easier to enjoy when you accept that the drive is part of the trip, not just the bit in between.
That means giving yourself time for slower roads, viewpoints, ferries, and the kind of stops that were often worth making once we were actually there.
Longer routes also make the costs that add up on a Norway road trip more noticeable, particularly when you are paying for accommodation, food, ferries and fuel over several days.
Fuel And Wildlife Are More About Awareness Than Stress
Fuel was not difficult for us, but on a longer road trip it still makes sense not to leave it too late, especially once you are away from bigger places.
Thinking about planning for parking, petrol and toll roads in Norway before setting off can make the practical side of a longer route feel much easier.
We also saw warning signs for wildlife in some areas, even though we did not actually come across any on the roads we drove.
So that was more something to stay aware of than something that became a real issue for us.
What Is Actually Worth Worrying About
If we were doing another Norway road trip, we would not worry about whether the roads themselves were going to feel too difficult. That part felt much more manageable than we had expected.
The things we would pay more attention to from the start are the smaller ones that are easier to underestimate. Speed limits matter, roundabouts take a bit more concentration at first, and the weather can change quickly once you gain height.
Understanding how to structure a self-drive trip in Norway also helps you avoid overly long days and routes that leave too little time for ferries, viewpoints and slower roads.
So for us, it is less about being nervous about the driving and more about going in ready to take your time, stay aware, and not treat the roads casually.
What To Do Next
Once the driving itself feels less daunting, the next step is making sure you understand the details worth knowing before you go to Norway.
That includes the early decisions that shape the route, costs, accommodation and how manageable the trip feels once you are on the road.
Meet Angela
Angela is the founder and writer of GlobalGadding, a travel resource for road-trip lovers and independent travellers.
She’s explored 40+ countries, and road tripped across New Zealand, Alaska, Australia, Canada, UK, Sri Lanka, USA, Namibia, and Europe.
She creates detailed, easy-to-follow itineraries that take the stress out of planning. Her mission is to help readers craft their own self-drive trips.