Affiliate Disclosure: This post on driving from Oslo to Bergen contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
INTRODUCTION
On our very first trip to Norway, we were traveling as a family. While we were tempted by the popular Norway in a Nutshell (NIN) train trip from Oslo to Bergen, we ultimately decided to rent a car and drive the route ourselves.
There were several reasons behind this choice. First, the cost—it was quite pricey to book the train trip for a family of four. Second, we prefer to avoid crowds. Third, we love traveling at our own pace. And finally, we had a few other places we wanted to explore beyond Bergen, including continuing south to Stavanger to do the epic Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) hike.
As I update this post, we’ve just returned from doing this spectacular drive once again—this time in the opposite direction, from Bergen to Oslo. This more recent trip itinerary took us on a full southern loop, starting in Oslo, heading clockwise through Kristiansand, Stavanger (Pulpit Rock), Odda (Trolltunga), on to Bergen, and then back across to Oslo.
So, if driving from Oslo to Bergen (or vice versa) is on your bucket list, I’ve put together my top tips to help you plan! Use the menu below to jump to the section you need—or, if you’d like a quick visual overview to get you excited about this adventure, please start with this one-minute video.
Save time and money on your Norway car rental. Check Expedia rates here!
OSLO TO BERGEN DRIVE VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZLMgHJanbg
DRIVE OSLO TO BERGEN – IT’S EASY!
Before I get into the details of this road trip, there’s one thing I really want to impress upon you: driving in Norway is very easy—especially during the summer months. The roads are well maintained, signage is clear, and Norwegian drivers are some of the most considerate we’ve encountered anywhere in the world.
If you follow one of the two most popular routes on your drive from Oslo to Bergen—either the E16 or Rv7—your drive should be very stress-free. (I’ll explain the highlights of each route further down.)
There’s just one small section that can be a bit tricky if you opt for the E16 route. It is a short, winding road that leads up to the Stegastein Viewpoint, just outside the town of Flåm.
However, if you take it slow, and keep an eye out for the pull-offs that allow traffic to pass, you should be fine. Alternatively, you can skip self-driving this section altogether and take a shuttle from Flåm to Stegastein.
DISTANCE – DRIVING OSLO TO BERGEN
The driving distance from Oslo to Bergen on both routes is roughly 500 km (310 miles), give or take about 30km. While you might be thinking 5-6 hours non-stop, plan for 7–10. With a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h, winding roads, slower traffic (Norwegians do not speed!), and plenty of scenic stops, the drive can easily stretch into a full day.
On our first trip, we left Oslo around 8:30 a.m. and arrived in Bergen at about 6:30 p.m. This was in July, with mostly dry roads and good conditions. If you’re driving the route outside of summer, allow significantly more time and keep a close eye on road conditions. Safety first! (This drive is not recommended in winter.)
On our second trip, we chose to break up the journey with an overnight stay. I highly recommend this if your schedule allows, especially if you’d like to explore the fjords by boat or kayak, or do some hiking along the way.
Explore the Best Norway Hotels with Booking.com.
DO YOU NEED TO TAKE ANY FERRIES?
You might be wondering whether any ferry crossings are required when driving from Oslo to Bergen. The good news is: no ferries are needed, on either the E16 route or the RV7 route.
If you plan to explore more remote areas of Norway, you’ll likely encounter a few ferry crossings along the way. But rest assured—the ferry system in Norway is efficient, well-organized, and easy to use. On our last trip, I actually timed how long it took for the crew to load the cars onto a small ferry and set off, and it was just 6 minutes! Such efficiency!
OSLO TO BERGEN ROUTES IN DETAIL
While I’ll outline several route options below, we’ve personally only driven the Aurland E16 route—but with two different variations! On one trip, we drove from Oslo to Bergen via the Lærdal Tunnel, and on another, we went the opposite direction—from Bergen to Oslo via the Aurlandsfjellet Snow Road.
1. OSLO TO BERGEN DRIVE – LÆRDAL TUNNEL ROUTE
We chose this route the first time we drove from Oslo to Bergen because it most closely followed the Norway in a Nutshell train trip—which I’m pretty sure we’d been dazzled by in some gorgeous travel video.
Along this route, whether driving east-to-west or vice versa, the first couple of hours are lovely, but not that dramatic. After that though, it’s one stunning view after another—valleys, fjords, mountains, and charming little villages.
HIGHLIGHTS
The highlights along this route include Borgund Stave Church, one of Norway’s best-preserved original stave churches, and driving through the world’s longest road tunnel—the 24.5 km Lærdal Tunnel. A short detour brings you to the spectacular Stegastein Viewpoint, with sweeping views of the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord.
NOTE: You reach the Stegastein Viewpoint via a short, narrow road with seven sharp hairpin turns that can require pulling over for oncoming traffic. In peak summer (July–August), parking at the top can also be limited and may require waiting a few minutes for a space to open up.
Not for you? Fear not –– there’s a shuttle from Flåm to Stegastein (90 minutes round trip) that departs from the tourist office. Midday slots fill up quickly, so it’s best to book a few hours in advance if you can.
Many people doing this route make a stop in the town of Flåm (either for lunch or an overnight stay). Another option is to stop in the smaller village of Undredal, just a 20 minute drive further west.
STOPPING IN FLÅM
The town of Flåm makes a natural stopping point along the E16 route between Oslo and Bergen. It’s also the main hub for fjord adventures in the region—including boat and kayak tours on the stunning Nærøyfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord. That said, because it’s a cruise ship port, it loses a bit of its charm for me—which is why we prefer to stop in the nearby village of Undredal instead.
Popular tour options from Flåm include a fjord cruise to Gudvangen or a combined boat and train tour –– both offered by Norway’s Best (not an affiliate link). For something more active, you’ll also find kayaking tours leaving from Flåm that range from a few hours, to multi-day trips.
WHERE TO STAY IN FLÅM
If you’re booking activities departing from Flåm, you may need to plan for an overnight stay. Please be aware that hotels in this area book up way in advance, so if you see something that meets your needs and budget, you may want to snap it up (make a flexible reservation in case your plans change).
TOP PICKS:
- Fretheim hotel (4★): Historic fjordside manor with elegant rooms and Aurlandsfjord views. See rates and reviews on Booking.com.
- Flåmsbrygga Hotel (3★): Rustic waterfront stay with pine-paneled rooms, fjord balconies, and a microbrewery.See rates and reviews on Booking.com.
- Flåm Marina Hotel (3★): Quieter, modern hotel with apartments, private balconies, and sauna access. See rates and reviews on Booking.com.
If availability is tight, consider nearby Aurlandsvangen or Undredal—both are more charming and peaceful, and just a short drive away.
STOPPING IN UNDREDAL
Just east of Flåm lies the much smaller and quainter village of Undredal. This charming hamlet is the birthplace of Norway’s beloved brown goat cheese (brunost), which you can sample at the lovely Undredal Bryggje Cafe, perched right along the edge of the fjord. (Reservations generally not needed.)
The restaurant also features a charming little museum and a gift shop. (I was inspired to buy a top-tier brunost cheese knife there—which, of course, is still sitting unused at home!)
Although tiny, the village of Undredal does have one really nice option for an overnight stay. Visit Undredal Apartments offer cozy, spacious units with beautiful fjord views (particularly good for families or larger groups, as some sleep up to 6 people).
EAST OF AURLAND
While there aren’t a ton of major attractions between Flåm and Bergen, the drive is still incredibly scenic—with steep mountains, lush valleys, and glimpses of fjords tucked between a series of dramatic tunnels.
One of the most notable is the Gudvanga Tunnel, which stretches over 11 km (the 3rd longest road tunnel in Norway). A bit farther west, keep an eye out for Tvindefossen, a picture-perfect, multi-tiered waterfall near the town of Voss.
OSLO TO BERGEN DRIVE MAP (VIA LÆRDAL TUNNEL)
I wanted to share with you our driving route when taking the Lærdal Tunnel. If you click on this link or the map, you can get to the interactive version.
2. BERGEN TO OSLO DRIVE – AURLANDSFJELLET ROUTE
In summer 2024, we drove from Bergen to Oslo along the E16, choosing the Aurlandsfjellet “Snow Road” over the 24.5 km Lærdal Tunnel—opting to go over the mountain rather than through it.
This route still includes all the same highlights as the tunnel option—Borgund Stave Church, Stegastein Viewpoint, etc. We chose it after seeing incredible photos of cars driving between towering walls of snow, piled meters high on either side of the road.
That said, in the reality of mid-summer travel (as most tourists will experience), it was… less dramatic. Dare I say, a little boring? Snow conditions vary from year to year, of course, but here’s what it looked like for us in July.
NOTE: What I’ve since learned is that those epic photos of cars driving between towering snowbanks are likely taken just as the road reopens for the season—typically in early June (with closures usually happening again by mid-October).
Still, there were a few definite highlights. First, the Stegastein Viewpoint is right along the route, so there’s no need to backtrack. Second, we loved seeing adorable sheep freely wandering along the roadside. And third, taking this route gave us the chance to discover Sommerhotellet, a charming hiking lodge we likely wouldn’t have found otherwise—an unexpected gem on our way back to Oslo.
Had we not taken this route, we also wouldn’t have had the chance to visit a truly authentic Norwegian bakery, Bakeri Nordsinni in Dokka—the kind that’s not only memorably delicious but also had us relying on smiles and hand signals to place our order (since our 11th-hour, crash-course in Norwegian on Duolingo didn’t quite cut it).
BERGEN TO OSLO MAP VIA AURLANDSFJELLET
I wanted to share with you our route for driving from Bergen to Oslo via the Aurlandsfjellet Snow Road route. If you click on this link or the map, you can get to the interactive version.
3. OSLO TO BERGEN VIA THE HARDANGERVIDDA ROUTE (RV7)
As mentioned earlier, we have actually yet to drive this route. When we were planning our first drive from Oslo to Bergen years ago, the Rv7 had a lot of construction happening along it so we took a pass.
On our second trip driving between these 2 cities, we had fallen so in love with the Aurlands route that we couldn’t resist doing it again—but this time taking the Snow Road variation over the mountain.
That said, the Hardangervidda Route (Rv7) from Oslo to Bergen is slightly shorter than the E16—about 470 km—and many travelers consider it the more scenic of the two. It takes you over the vast Hardangervidda mountain plateau (Europe’s largest), with sweeping, high-altitude views the whole way.
Along the route, you’ll pass highlights like Vøringsfossen—one of Norway’s most iconic waterfalls—and the lovely fjord-side village of Eidfjord. From there, you’ll cross the Hardanger Bridge, one of the top 20 longest suspension bridges in the world at 1.38 km. Finally, closer to Bergen, you’ll pass Steinsdalsfossen, a unique waterfall with a trail that actually runs right underneath the falls!
If you’re traveling with kids—or are simply an animal lover—you might also want to stop at Langedrag Nature Park, where you can get up close with wolves, lynx, moose, reindeer, and more. (They also have a cozy guesthouse if you want to stay overnight.)
STOPPING IN GEILO
If you are looking to break up this drive, the resort town of Geilo is a popular place to stop. It is a ski resort in the winter but with its location between two national parks, Hardangervidda and Hallingskarvet, it is a popular spot for hiking and biking in the summer and has a a nice selection of hotels and guest houses.
See Hotels and Guesthouses in Geilo, Norway
STOPPING IN EIDFJORD
Another option (especially if you want to be fjord-side) is to stop in Eidfjord which sits right at the edge of Hardangerfjord. From this spot you have easy access to fjord cruises, kayaking, and scenic hikes right from town. Plus, there are cozy accommodations and local restaurants, making it a convenient and scenic overnight stop.
OSLO TO BERGEN MAP VIA HARDANGER RV7
I wanted to share with you a typical driving route from Oslo to Bergen taking the Hardanger route. If you click on this link or the map, you can get to the interactive version.
WHICH ROUTE IS BETTER?
Honestly, it’s pretty subjective—it all depends on what kind of scenery and experiences you’re looking for along the way.
Ideally, I’d recommend making it a round trip: take the Aurlands route via the Lærdal Tunnel when heading from Oslo to Bergen, and return via the Hardanger route (or vice versa). As mentioned earlier, I’d skip the Aurlandsfjellet Snow Road unless you’ve already done the drive a few times and are after something a bit different.
CAR RENTAL FOR DRIVING OSLO TO BERGEN
I was kind of dreading writing this section because, truthfully, I don’t love renting cars in Norway. Actually, I don’t love renting cars anywhere—it always feels like a bit of a grift. There are just so many ways to get taken advantage of: unnecessary upgrades, vague damage charges… the list goes on.
In general, I prefer to rent from a reliable, small, local car rental company—but I’ve yet to find one that looks good to me in Oslo or Bergen. What makes it worse is that many of the major international rental agencies in Oslo and Bergen receive very mediocre reviews—often between 2.5 and 3.5 stars out of 5. I mean, honestly, that’s pretty terrible and far below my desired threshold when it comes to parting with my hard-earned money.
On our last trip, for example, I was waiting to pick up our car at a well-known international chain in Oslo when I overheard the customer in front of me being told his rental price had increased by several hundred dollars—during the 15 minutes he was standing at the counter—thanks to “dynamic pricing.”
The first time we drove from Oslo to Bergen, we did a one-way rental. It worked best for our itinerary since we were flying out of Bergen, but it came with a hefty one-way surcharge. More recently, we rented a car round-trip from Oslo for a full week, which felt a little better—less stress, more flexibility, and no one-way fees (more on this coming up).
Why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to be mentally prepared! I know I’ve painted a rather grim picture of renting cars in Oslo and Bergen, but I still want to share a few helpful tips.
TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN NORWAY
BOOK EARLY
Rental cars in Norway are often in high demand, especially during summer. Prices can rise quickly, so it’s best to reserve well in advance. Most companies offer penalty-free cancellations, so there’s very little risk—even if your plans change.
PICK UP THE NIGHT BEFORE
If it doesn’t cost you extra and you can find reasonably priced parking, consider picking up your rental car the night before. That way, you can hit the road early without waiting for the rental agency to open.
FUEL TYPE
Choosing the right fuel type for your rental car can make a big difference in convenience, cost, and overall travel experience.
- Gasoline – Simple and widely available.
- Diesel – Can be more fuel-efficient for long distances (my personal choice in Norway).
- EVs – Very popular in Norway, with lots of charging stations between Oslo and Bergen, but may require extra planning (more on this further on).
BE AWARE OF TOLLS
There are toll roads on the routes mentioned above, including a charge to cross the Hardanger Bridge (surprisingly, the Lærdal Tunnel is free). Tolls are collected via the AutoPASS system and will be added to your final rental car bill. Expect tolls of roughly ~120–190 NOK (≈ $12–18 USD) on the Aurlands route, and ~270–390 NOK (≈ $25–35 USD) on the Hardangervidda route.
WATCH FOR HIDDEN FEES
Look out for one-way drop-off charges, toll processing fees, and dynamic pricing at the counter.
GO SMALL
Roads can be narrow, especially in mountain areas. A compact car is easier to manage and more fuel-efficient (and fuel is very expensive in Norway).
DOCUMENT WELL
When you pick up your rental car, be sure to document any damage. (I like to film both the inside and outside of the car, including the tire rims.)
CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
Call your credit card company in advance to find out if you can decline any insurance options. If you have more than one card, book with the one that offers the best coverage. (Example: my AMEX has better rental car coverage than my VISA.)
READ REVIEWS
I know I didn’t give the most glowing report on car rental companies in Oslo and Bergen, but I still think it’s worth reading a few reviews before deciding on which company to book with. Knowledge is power—or at least you’ll know what kind of games they may try to play.
Save time and money on your Norway car rental. Check Expedia rates here!
ONE WAY CAR RENTAL
You may be wondering if it’s possible to do a one-way car rental from Oslo to Bergen (or vice versa). The answer is yes—some rental companies allow it, but it usually comes with a hefty fee. As of mid-2025, for example, Sixt charges an additional 2,800 NOK (~$275 USD), and Hertz charges 2,500 NOK (~$250 USD) for a one-way rental.
Despite this high fee, it may still make sense for you if you don’t want to backtrack. For example, on our first trip, we drove from Oslo to Bergen and then flew from Bergen to Trondheim. The alternative would have meant staying in Oslo on three separate occasions during a three-week trip—so a one-way rental just made more sense both logistically and economically.
NOTE: If you do this, please look carefully at the price-breakdown to make sure the one-way fee is included in the price quote and there is no vague language around a fee being added later.
Alternatively, as mentioned earlier, you could plan a round-trip loop—driving one way via the Lærdal Tunnel and returning via the Hardangervidda Route, giving you the best of both scenic drives.
And of course, there are many other route other options. On our more recent trip, we did a full loop from Oslo, heading southwest through Kristiansand, then to Stavanger (to hike Preikestolen), on to Odda (to hike Trolltunga), continued to Bergen, and finally back across to Oslo—before flying on to…off all places –– Svalbard — which we couldn’t reach directly from Bergen.
Save time and money on your Norway car rental. Check Expedia rates here!
ELECTRIC VEHICLE RENTALS IN NORWAY
I just wanted to expand a little more on this topic. I love the idea of renting an EV to drive from Oslo to Bergen (or vice versa). That said, on both trips I’ve chosen not to—despite the fact that Norway is one of the most EV-friendly countries in the world, with tons of charging stations along the major routes.
Personally, I’ve been hesitant to deal with the learning curve that comes with trying something new—like navigating local charging networks, apps, cards, and stations for the first time. If you do plan to go the EV route (and I applaud that choice), make sure you know exactly what you need to download or set up before hitting the road. There are also several helpful Reddit threads on this topic if you want to dive deeper.
Save time and money on your Norway car rental. Check Expedia rates here!
SPEED LIMITS AND FINES
At the end of our most recent trip (a bit too late, honestly), I emailed a friend in Norway to ask: why didn’t anyone seem to speed? Was it cultural, or were the penalties really that severe? He replied, “Both.” Norwegians are known for being rule-followers, but the steep fines are also a huge deterrent.
Speeding fines in Norway are no joke, despite the country having some of the slowest speed limits in Europe. Fines range from NOK 800 (~$80 USD) for just a few kilometers over the limit, to NOK 10,000 (~$1,000 USD) or more for serious infractions. Best advice? Stick to the limit—it’s just not worth it.
For the most part, the speed limit between Oslo and Bergen is 70 km/h, dropping to 50 km/h when entering towns and villages.
Thankfully, Norway is quite transparent with their photo radar enforcement. On our recent trip, we passed about a dozen photo radar cameras between Oslo and Bergen, each clearly preceded by a blue and white warning sign featuring a camera icon.
LEARN MORE
I hope this post on driving from Oslo to Bergen by car answered all of your questions. If there is anything else you need help with, please feel free to reach out to me via direct message on Instagram, Facebook or by email.
Want to see more unique adventures? I would love for you to follow along with The Better Beyond on Instagram!
MORE NORWAY TRAVEL GUIDES
