Driving in Norway: campervan lessons from our fjords loop
There were plenty of moments where I was very happy Daniel was driving! Norway's roads were a huge part of the trip, especially the bends around Trollstigen, but the practical bits mattered just as much. Knowing the van, leaving enough time and understanding how the costs were billed would make the whole thing feel much less daunting.
Daniel drove Posty, our manual, left-hand-drive campervan. Before setting off, know the height and length, where the controls are and how the vehicle feels to reverse. A handover is worth paying attention to even when you are desperate to get the trip started.
Know the vehicle before the road gets interesting
Ask about fuel, AdBlue where relevant, the mileage allowance and the return requirements. Save the owner's contact and roadside-assistance details. We had a tyre problem later in the trip, and having help available mattered more than trying to turn ourselves into mechanics.
Trollstigen needed patience
The hairpins were memorable, but so was Daniel having to reverse to make room for a bus. It was a reminder to choose a van you are comfortable driving, not simply the biggest interior you can find. Leave room and time for other vehicles instead of arriving with a deadline in your head.
Check the official route information before including it. A saved route or a September video isn't evidence that the road is currently open. If conditions change, use a checked alternative and adjust the day's stops.
Ferries belong in the plan
Our loop included ferry crossings between road sections, including Fodnes–Mannheller and Eidsdal–Linge. Don't treat those as an invisible line between two towns. Check the current timetable, vehicle requirements and payment arrangements, and leave time to wait.
A driving estimate doesn't include every queue, photo stop, meal or unexpected delay. We were also living in the van, so arriving at a campsite meant practical jobs before bed. A day that looks possible on a map can still be an exhausting way to spend your holiday.
Navigate to access points
A place pin can mark the attraction rather than where the van can go. Bondhusvatnet is a lake: use the Bondhusdalen parking area, then walk. The Troll Wall is a mountain face: use the roadside viewpoint. Kylling Bridge is a railway bridge: find legal parking and the marked viewing approach, not a route onto the railway.
This is worth checking before you lose signal. Save the road route and relevant area offline, while remembering that offline information won't tell you about a closure that has just happened. Road signs and current official information still take priority.
Parking, campsites and the return day
We used campsite and parking apps as a starting point, then checked reviews and the actual place. Norway's outdoor-access rules do not make every roadside space a legal campervan overnight stop. Follow signs and local restrictions, and use proper facilities for emptying the van.
At the end, leave time for fuel, cleaning and the owner's return appointment. Keep room in your budget for tolls or mileage billed afterwards. We had the overnight ferry from Oslo to catch too, so that final day was about a smooth handover and departure, not one more mountain detour.
Plan the rest of your Norway trip
Get our Norway Fjords guide for the web guide, downloadable PDF, place map and editable itinerary. Read these next:
Watch our Norway road trip
Watch our Norway road trip on YouTube, 68m46s. It is also our latest public full-length upload at publication. Visit Ellen’s YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
Do map times include ferry waits?
Do not assume they cover queues, stops or every delay. Check ferry timetables and allow extra time.
Can you drive to the Bondhusvatnet lake pin?
Use the Bondhusdalen parking area and walk from there. The lake is not a vehicle destination.
