Spend 10 Days In Norway: Ideal Norway 10-Day Itinerary
- Motorhome Norway
- Dec 5, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
An amazing way to get the most out of 10 days in Norway is taking a one‑way campervan road trip from Oslo to Tromsø – exploring the Norwegian capital city before hitting up Stavanger, Preikestolen, Bergen, Fjord Norway and Trondheim, then discovering the beauty of the Arctic north.
Combining Norway’s most iconic cities with dramatic coastal drives, ferry crossings, and mountain scenery, this route maximizes your Norwegian experience, giving you access to the country’s most beautiful landscapes while keeping daily drives realistic for a 10‑day adventure. Discover all you need to know about this fantastic Norway trip itinerary in this complete travel guide to spending 10 days in Norway.
Norway 10-Day Road Trip Overview
Here’s our suggested Norway itinerary for 10 days, tailored for a campervan or motorhome road trip. We’ve included all the highlights and must-sees!
Day 1 – Oslo arrival: Pick up your campervan, explore the city center, and stay overnight at a campsite near the city.
Day 2 – Oslo to Stavanger: Scenic southern drive with coastal stops and an overnight stay in Stavanger.
Day 3 – Stavanger and Preikestolen: Spend the morning in the town and enjoy an afternoon hike to Pulpit Rock overlooking Lysefjord.
Day 4 – Stavanger to Bergen: E39 coastal route with short ferries and fjord views, evening in Bergen.
Day 5 – Bergen and Hardangerfjord: City sightseeing, then drive towards Hardangerfjord, stay near the fjord.
Day 6 – Hardangerfjord to Flåm: Waterfalls, fruit orchards, and mountain roads; optional fjord cruise or train in Flåm.
Day 7 – Flåm to Trondheim: Long but stunning drive via high passes and valleys, overnight near Trondheim.
Day 8 – Trondheim and Drive North: Explore the city, then continue towards Mo i Rana or another midway stop.
Day 9 – Arctic Circle to Tromsø: Cross the Arctic Circle on the E6, pass wild landscapes and arrive in Tromsø.
Day 10 – Tromsø highlights: Explore the Arctic capital, then drop the camper locally or begin the multi‑day return south.
Day | Route | Approx. Distance | Approx. Driving Time |
Day 1 | Arrival in Oslo | — | — |
Day 2 | Oslo → Stavanger | ≈ 550 km | ≈ 7-8 hours |
Day 3 | Stavanger → Preikestolen trailhead → Stavanger | ≈ 70 km round-trip | ≈ 1.5-2 hours |
Day 4 | Stavanger → Bergen | ≈ 210 km | ≈ 5 hours (including ferries) |
Day 5 | Bergen → Hardangerfjord region | ≈ 150 km | ≈ 2.5-3 hours |
Day 6 | Hardangerfjord → Flåm | ≈ 120km | ≈ 2 hours |
Day 7 | Flåm → Trondheim | ≈ 470km | ≈ 7-8 hours |
Day 8 | Trondheim → North toward Arctic Circle (Mo i Rana area) | ≈ 450km | ≈ 6-7 hours |
Day 9 | Artic Circle → Tromsø | ≈ 600km | ≈ 8-9 hours |
Day 10 | Tromsø (local driving only) | — | — |
What to Know Before Visiting Norway
Norway is one of Europe’s premier road‑trip destinations, with excellent roads, well‑run ferry links, and a dense network of campsites and service areas suitable for campervans. Summer and the shoulder seasons bring long daylight hours, open mountain passes and the best access to hiking and outdoor activities. Here’s some important info you need to know to make the most of your Norway road trip.
Campervans and The Right To Roam
Famously outdoorsy and campervan‑friendly, Norway actually has the ‘Right to Roam’ enshrined in law, which means you can access natural spaces all across the country for hiking and camping. With a campervan, you can stay in official campsites, clearly signed parking areas that allow overnight stays, or even in certain natural spaces.
Key campervan points for Norway:
Wild camping: You may camp in uncultivated areas if you stay at least 150 meters away from inhabited houses for no longer than two nights in the same place.
Campsites: There are many well‑equipped campgrounds with showers, kitchens and often cabins across Norway, which are mostly open from spring to fall.
Facilities: Service stations and some supermarkets provide water, waste disposal and basic supplies along major routes.
Popular campgrounds along this route include Ekeberg Camping in Oslo, Mosvangen Camping close to Stavanger, lakeside or fjordside options near Bergen and Hardanger, and Tromsø Lodge & Camping near the Arctic city.
Climate and Driving Conditions
Norway’s weather varies strongly between regions and altitudes (even on the same day!). Coastal areas such as Stavanger and Bergen are milder but wetter, while inland mountain roads can be colder with lingering snow into early summer.
It’s super important to regularly check the local Norway weather forecast and up-to-date Norway road conditions throughout your road trip, especially before entering tunnels and traveling on mountainous roads.
Typical summer expectations (June–August) for Norway:
Southern Cities (Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen): Often between about 15–25°C with a mix of sunshine and showers.
Central Norway (Trondheim and Fjord Regions): Slightly cooler, fresh mornings and relatively mild days.
Arctic North (Tromsø): Cooler still, frequently around the high single digits to mid‑teens Celsius in summer, with bright Arctic light.
Best Time of Year for a Norway 10‑Day Itinerary
The ideal time for a Norway 10‑day itinerary by campervan is late spring to early autumn, roughly May through September. In this window, roads are generally open, ferries run frequently, and daylight hours are long enough to balance driving with sightseeing.
Seasonal highlights include blossoming orchards and wildflower meadows in May and June, the warmest weather and Midnight Sun in July and August, and beautiful autumnal colors and smaller crowds in September.
Winter driving is possible but far more challenging, with ice, snow, shorter days and some scenic roads closed. You need to be an experienced winter driver to do a Norway road trip during the cold season, and, ideally, you’ll need a slower itinerary that gives allowances for road closure and adverse weather conditions.
10‑Day Itinerary In Norway
Our Norway 10-day trip itinerary is shaped around a one‑way route that steadily heads north, rather than a rushed full loop back to Oslo. It keeps drive times reasonable while still covering Norway’s most iconic fjord and city highlights.
Day 1: Arrival in Oslo
Land in Oslo, collect your campervan and get used to driving and parking the vehicle before diving into a long journey. Spend the rest of the day exploring central Oslo: stroll Karl Johans Gate, see the Royal Palace, walk along the harborfront, and, if time allows, visit a museum or two on the Bygdøy peninsula.
Overnight at a campsite such as Ekeberg, which offers easy access to the city while giving you space to organize your campervan for the days ahead.
Day 2: Oslo to Stavanger (Southern Coast)
Start early and follow the southern corridor towards Stavanger, using the E18 and E39 to trace Norway’s ‘sunny coast’. Break the journey up by stopping in one or two coastal towns for coffee, a supermarket top‑up and a short walk on the seafront so the day doesn’t feel like a pure driving slog.
Aim to arrive in Stavanger by late afternoon. Park at a campsite close to town or a dedicated motorhome area, then stretch your legs among the white wooden houses of the old center and along the harbor for a relaxing evening stroll.
Day 3: Stavanger and the Preikestolen Hike
Dedicate this day to one of Norway’s classic viewpoints: Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), the cliff that towers above Lysefjord. In the morning, you can take a brief wander in Stavanger’s historic quarter or its street‑art‑lined lanes, then drive towards the Preikestolen trailhead, which requires a combination of road driving and a short ferry.
The hike itself is roughly an 8 km round trip on a well‑marked trail, with some rocky sections and steady climbs. Plan 4 to 5 hours for the walk and time to enjoy the view from the plateau, then, after you return victorious from the peak, you can either head back to Stavanger or stay at a camping area nearer the trailhead for a quiet evening in the mountains – dreamy!
Day 4: Stavanger to Bergen (Coastal Ferries And Fjords)
Leave Stavanger and join the E39, one of Norway’s most scenic coastal highways, which mixes bridges, tunnels, and short ferry crossings. The crossings, such as those between Arsvågen and Mortavika and further north towards Bergen, provide natural breaks in the drive and a chance to step out on deck.
Consider a brief detour through the Haugesund region, often associated with Viking heritage and a dramatic seascape, before continuing towards Norway’s second-largest city: Bergen, ‘the gateway to the fjords’. In the evening, stroll the harborfront and enjoy the wooden wharf area lit up at night before staying at a nearby campsite on the edge of town.
Day 5: Bergen and Hardangerfjord
Use the morning to get a feel for Bergen’s mix of culture and maritime history. Wander along the historic wooden buildings of Bryggen, ride or hike up to one of the viewpoints such as Mount Fløyen for panoramic views, and browse the waterfront market area to sample local seafood or grab a casual lunch.
In the afternoon, drive east towards Hardangerfjord, one of Norway’s most celebrated fjords, known for cascading waterfalls and bountiful fruit orchards. Depending on where you stay, you might pass through villages dotted with cherry and apple trees and see dramatic bridges crossing the fjord, then settle in at a lakeside or fjordside campground for the night.
Day 6: Hardangerfjord to Flåm (Waterfalls and Fjord Vistas)
Set off through the Hardangerfjord region, where short detours bring you to photogenic waterfalls and viewpoints. This area is particularly beautiful in late spring and early summer when snowmelt feeds the cascades and the fruit trees are in bloom.
Continue north towards Flåm via the E16 or another suitable route, keeping an eye out for scenic stops such as viewpoints above Aurlandsfjord. Once in Flåm, you can take an evening stroll by the fjord, join a short fjord cruise or simply enjoy the mountain backdrop from your campsite or motorhome area.
Day 7: Flåm to Trondheim (Mountain Passes and Valleys)
Day seven is your big driving day, but the scenery helps the hours pass quickly. Head north via high‑altitude routes and valleys that showcase Norway’s more rugged interior, making sure to break the journey in small towns for fuel, food and short leg‑stretch walks.
In good weather, certain national tourist routes offer spectacular viewpoints and access to short walks right off the road. By late afternoon or evening, you’ll reach Trondheim, a lively university city and former medieval capital, where you can stay at a campsite on the outskirts or a motorhome‑friendly parking area by the fjord.
Day 8: Trondheim Sightseeing and Drive North
Spend the morning exploring Trondheim’s mix of old and new. Key sights include Nidaros Cathedral, one of Scandinavia’s most important Gothic churches, the colorful wooden wharves along the river, and the cobbled streets and cafés of Bakklandet.
After lunch, begin pushing north on the E6 towards the Arctic regions, aiming for a midway overnight stop such as the Mo i Rana area or another town that suits your driving pace. This stage of your 10-day Norway road trip introduces you to wilder landscapes, with long valleys, forests and mountains replacing dense settlement and urban areas.
Day 9: Cross the Arctic Circle and Reach Tromsø
Continue along the E6, crossing the Arctic Circle at a marked point where you can take a photo, visit a small visitor center, or simply admire the empty horizons. From here, the landscape becomes more treeless and rugged, with glimpses of glaciers and high plateaus depending on your exact route.
As you approach Tromsø, bridges and tunnels connect a chain of islands and peninsulas, delivering you into one of Norway’s most atmospheric small cities. Park at a campsite or campervan park with mountain views and appreciate how far north you have traveled in just over a week – so cool!
Day 10: Explore Tromsø and Depart
Dedicate your final full day to Tromsø’s Arctic culture and scenery. Popular activities include visiting the striking Arctic Cathedral, riding a cable car or gondola for sweeping views over the city and surrounding islands, and learning about polar exploration or Arctic wildlife at local museums or aquariums.
Depending on the season, you may experience either the Midnight Sun lighting up summer nights, or darker nights offering the possibility of amazing Northern Lights displays. Many campervan rentals allow a one‑way drop‑off in northern cities, meaning you can drop your campervan off and head to the airport. If that’s not an option, make sure to plan several additional days to drive south along the E6 with more relaxed stops on your return.
Practical Driving and Ferry Tips
Norway’s road system mixes modern highways, narrow coastal roads, tunnels and frequent ferries, so planning is essential for a smooth 10‑day Norway road trip itinerary. Distances may appear short on the map but driving can take longer than expected due to speed limits, road works, fjord detours and photo stops.
Useful on‑the‑road pointers for your Norway 10-day itinerary:
Keep the tank topped up, especially in sparsely populated stretches between central Norway and Tromsø, where fuel stations may be 50 to 70 km apart or more.
Most tolls in Norway are automatic; rental companies often register vehicles to toll systems and bill you after the trip, but just make sure to confirm this with your provider prior to your trip.
Norway has thousands of tunnels, including some very long ones; headlights must always be on when driving through a tunnel (no matter the time of day), and it’s important to always keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead.
Ferry links are integrated into many routes; they are usually frequent and you pay when boarding with no advance booking required on main routes.
Typical limits are around 80 km/h on many rural roads and 90 to 110 km/h on highways, though weather and local signage may dictate lower speeds.
Explore Norway on Your Own Schedule
This Norway 10‑day itinerary lets you experience big‑name cities, iconic hikes, classic fjords and the Arctic in a single trip, while enjoying the freedom and comfort that only a campervan road trip can offer.
Excited to explore Norway on your own epic road trip? Get set with your own rental campervan in Norway, perfect for the vacation of a lifetime!
