Driving from Oslo to Bergen

Drive from Oslo to Bergen and experience the magnificent mountain passes and majestic fjord landscape.

Enjoy the drive across the mountains and stop at places such as the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, Flåm or Vøringsfossen waterfall.

Driving to Bergen gives you freedom and beautiful scenery whether you are driving north from Stavanger to Bergen or east from Oslo to Bergen. If you drive from Oslo to Bergen in one go, it takes 7-8,5 hours, depending on which route you choose. But whichever route you take, there are a few stops that you should make time for on your journey. The most frequented routes between Norway's two biggest cities are Hardangervidda, Haukeli, Aurland – Hol, Filefjell and Hemsedal. If you are driving in winter, please see the last section on this page.

via Hardangervidda:

Route: Oslo - Gol - Geilo - Eidfjord - Voss  - Bergen.

This route takes around seven hours to drive, and it is one of Norway's most popular tourist routes. Parts of the route are designated a National Tourist Route - which means it is a unique and beautiful stretch of road that Norway is particularly keen to promote and maintain. There are many fantastic attractions on the Hardangervidda route, and one of them is the free-fall waterfall Vøringsfossen in Eidfjord. It has a free fall of 182 metres and is a spectacular sight that is well worth a stop.

Vøringsfossen. Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik / fjordnorway.com

If you choose the slightly longer route that goes between Granvin and Bergen in Hardanger, you will also see the old suspension bridge Fyksesundbrua dating from 1937.
Read more about driving from Oslo to Bergen via Hardangervidda here.

via Aurlandsfjellet:

Route: Oslo - Gol - Hemsedal - Lærdal - Aurland - Flåm - Gudvangen - Bergen

This route takes you close to the magnificent Sognefjord, which is Norway's longest and deepest fjord. This was a favourite motif for artists during the National Romantic period. Gudvangen and Flåm are two other very attractive destinations you will pass en route. A lot of cruise boat tourists visit these destinations, and get to see attractions such as Kjelfossen waterfall and the majestic mountains surrounding the narrow Nærøyfjord. The E16 road between Oslo and Bergen passes through Flåm and Gudvangen. This route takes around seven and a half hours.

Before coming to the Sognefjord you will drive the world's longest road tunnel, Lærdal tunnel. The tunnel is 24,509 metres long. Driving through a long tunnel might not sound very exciting, but parts of the Lærdal tunnel are illuminated in beautiful colours that gives you a sense of being in an exciting subterranean world.

Lærdalstunnellen. Photo: Øyvind Heen - Visitnorway.com

Borgund Stave Church in Lærdal municipality is also well worth a stop. It is considered as the best preserved medieval stave church in Norway, and is an impressive sight. Nowadays, the stave church is a museum church, although the churchyard is still in use.

Back on track on your way to Bergen, you should also visit the impressive Stegastein viewpoint near Flåm at an altitude of 650 metres, with views across the Aurlandsfjord. If you're not scared of heights, that is! Tourists from near and far have described it as a must to see.

Stegastein viewpoint. Photo: Sverre Hjørnevik / fjordnorway.com

Read more about driving from Oslo to Bergen via Aurlandsfjellet here.

via Haukeli:

Route: Oslo - Seljord - Haukeligrend - Odda - Jondal - Norheimsund - Bergen

This route takes around 8 hours. If you decide to drive the Haukeli route, you will have a fantastic opportunity to see the Hardangerfjord, Norway's second longest fjord after the Sognefjord. The route passes Odda, which  is close to the starting point of the popular Trolltunga hike.

There are many wonderful viewpoints along the fjord, for example from Norheimsund, where you even get a glimpse of Folgefonna – Norway's third biggest glacier – in the distance. It is also well worth stopping at Steinsdalsfossen waterfall in Kvam, two kilometres west of Norheimsund. There is a path going behind the waterfall, where you can get a close look without getting wet.

Photo from Steinsdalsfossen: CH - VisitNorway.com 

To get the most out of the scenic views, take a detour from Odda along the fjord via Eidfjord. This will add another 1 hour and 15 minutes to your driving time. From Eidfjord you can drive to Bergen via Nordheimsund or via Voss (20 minutes shorter).

Driving Oslo - Bergen in Winter

We do not recommend driving Oslo - Bergen in winter. This is due to the winter conditions that changes quickly and any drivers should have experience in driving in snowy conditions. The roads get icy and the visability can be poor.

However, this said; it is possible to drive, but it is vital to check the weather forcast often and close up to when you are driving. The roads in winter gets closed frequently and some sections are only open for driving in escorts. (you have to wait in line for an escort vehicle can take you through). In norwegian this is called "kolonnekjøring".
The official site vegvesen.no will tell you which roads are closed. Before driving you should consider your driving skills, if you have little experience driving in winter conditions, driving in a mountain escort is not a good idea.

If you have decided to drive during winter, there are certain considerations and preparations to be made. Firstly, you need to make sure that you have good winter tires. Snow chains, a shovel and towing rope is also useful equipment. Filling up your car with gas or charging your batteries fully before crossing mountain passes is necessary, because there are no petrol or charging stations on the mountain. You should also pack warm clothes as well as enough food and drink to last several hours in case you have to wait for the roads to open. 

If you are looking for an alternativ to driving between Oslo to Bergen in wintertime, the train is a very nice  and easy option. 

Useful information about automatic toll stations in Bergen.
Useful informastion about where to park in Bergen.