A northern Norway road trip in building blocks
The region is long, and the roads follow fjords, islands and ferry links. Instead of one fixed itinerary, it helps to think in stretches. Two of them are marked National Tourist Routes with measured lengths: the Lofoten route and the Senja route. Ferries and the way back are best planned separately for each stretch. We do not give a total driving time for a full northern Norway circuit, because it depends too much on your starting point, the ferries you use and the season.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by a road authority, a ferry company or a car rental firm. Details such as timetables and tariffs change, so use it for planning and confirm them with the operator before you go.
The stretches, one by one
What each part of the route offers and what to plan around it.
Lofoten
The scenic route runs from Å to Raftsundet and is 230 km (143 miles) long including side trips to Nusfjord, Vikten, Utakleiv, Unstad, Eggum and Henningsvær. That figure is not the same as the plain through route. Reine is a common base for the Reinebringen climb. Details are on our Lofoten page.
Bodø and the ferry to Moskenes
Bodø is the mainland port for the Lofoten ferry. The ferry on route 18-782 is run by Torghatten. In the tariff table we read, a car up to 6 m (20 ft) costs NOK 605 without AutoPASS discounts or a reservation surcharge. The page does not state the year of the table, so treat the price as a guide. See our Bodø page for Saltstraumen and the town.
Senja
The scenic route between Botnhamn and Gryllefjord on roads 862 and 86 is 102 km (63 miles), with detours to Husøy and Mefjordvær. Viewpoints and rest areas include Bergsbotn, Tungeneset, Ersfjordstranda and Mefjordvær. The Senja page covers hikes and fishing villages.
North Cape
The hall ticket costs NOK 360 for adults (2026, as published by the operator). Parking is free but limited to a few hours and overnight stays are not allowed, so the North Cape does not work as a camping spot. In winter the road is open only in a convoy. See our North Cape page.
Narvik and Alta
Narvik lies on the Ofoten railway and has a war museum. Alta has the UNESCO rock art, listed since 1985, and a museum with seasonal prices. Both can serve as stops on a longer route. Read more on the Narvik page and the Alta page.
Northern Norway tours and day trips
Guided trips on Lofoten, Senja and further north, with live prices and availability.
Ferries on the way
Prices are in NOK, as published by the operators for 2026.
| Crossing | Line | Car up to 6 m | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodø to Moskenes | 18-782 | NOK 605 | Reserving a seat is optional. The seat guarantee costs NOK 130 extra for the car and NOK 65 per adult. Booked passengers should be ready 45 minutes before departure. |
| Andenes to Gryllefjord | 180 | NOK 925 | Summer ferry. Since 15 June 2026 walkers and passengers aged 30 to 66 pay NOK 100 per leg. The driver is covered by the vehicle fare. |
| Botnhamn to Brensholmen | 181 | – | People and bikes travel free. A summer supplement applies from 20 June to 31 August 2026. |
Svipper car ferries do not take seat reservations for private cars. For the Bodø crossing the operator names two different booking rules on its own pages, so check the deadline when you book. A timetable for 16 October 2026 showed a sailing of 3 hours 15 minutes from 16:45 and a cancelled departure at 00:45, which shows that single departures can be dropped. The winter timetable 2026/27 applies from 7 September 2026.
Winter driving: tyres, convoys and closures
Rules from the road administration. Check the day's conditions before you set off.
Tyres for cars up to 3.5 t
In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark the minimum tread depth is 3 mm from 16 October to 30 April, otherwise 1.6 mm. Studded tyres are usually allowed in the north in the same period, and then on all wheels. Good grip is required all year, so winter equipment can also be needed outside these dates if conditions call for it.
Heavy vehicles and motorhomes
Above 3.5 t the winter tread requirement is generally 5 mm. Motorhomes between 3.5 t and 7.5 t are an exception with 3 mm. Check the weight class of your rental vehicle. The authority reminded drivers of heavy vehicles about chain and tyre requirements on 8 October 2026, which was not a report of a specific closure.
Convoys to the North Cape
For winter 2025/26 the road administration announced fixed convoy times on the E69. Departures from the Skarsvåg junction were at 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:30 and 19:30, with returns at 09:30, 11:00, 13:45, 16:15 and 21:30 and an extra return on Fridays at 12:30. The notice itself warns that it may be outdated, and times for winter 2026/27 are not confirmed. Weather can close the road completely, and the start and end of the convoy season depend on conditions.
Driving in a convoy
Start with a full tank or a full battery, warm clothes, food and a hot drink. Use hazard lights, drive at an even speed and keep the vehicle in front in sight. Do not leave the convoy and do not turn around. If you have to stop, stay near the vehicle. The snow clearing service can refuse vehicles that are not properly equipped.
Where to check the situation
The road administration points to its own traffic information service for closures and convoys. A guide like this one cannot replace the situation on the day. A clearing station at Hønsa on the E69 was described in March 2026. It adds standby capacity and shelter in emergencies, but it does not mean the road stays open.
Sleeping, camping and the right to roam
On the mainland you may generally pitch a tent on uncultivated land more than 150 m (about 490 ft) from an inhabited house or cabin. Staying more than two nights in the same place normally needs the landowner's consent, with exceptions far from settlements and in the high mountains. This is not a free pass for private gardens, driving off road or areas with local bans. At the North Cape car park, overnight stays are prohibited.
Combine a drive with a different way of travelling if you like. The coastal ship calls at Bodø, Svolvær, Tromsø and Honningsvåg among other ports. Our Hurtigruten page covers the route and its ports. Tromsø has its own airport guide, and the Lyngen Alps are covered in their own guide.
When to drive
The season decides what is practical. Hikes such as Reinebringen are recommended from May to September, and the midnight sun lights the roads late into the evening in early summer. The dark season from about September to mid-April brings northern lights, but also snow, ice and the winter rules above. The months and light times are on our best time to visit page, and the aurora season is explained on the northern lights page.
Northern Norway road trip: frequently asked questions
How long is the Lofoten scenic route?
The scenic route between Å and Raftsundet is 230 km (143 miles) including side trips to places such as Nusfjord, Eggum and Henningsvær. The plain through route is shorter.
Do I need to book the ferry from Bodø to Moskenes?
Booking is not required. A paid seat guarantee is available, at NOK 130 extra for a car up to 6 m and NOK 65 per adult. The operator's pages give two different deadlines for the reservable share, so check the current rule when you book.
What tyres do I need in winter?
For vehicles up to 3.5 t, at least 3 mm of tread from 16 October to 30 April in Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. Studded tyres must then be on all wheels. Heavier vehicles have different rules, and motorhomes between 3.5 t and 7.5 t need 3 mm.
Is the North Cape road open in winter?
Only in a convoy, and weather can close it completely. The convoy times announced for winter 2025/26 are not confirmed for 2026/27, so check the road administration's traffic information on the day.
Can I sleep in my car at the North Cape?
No. The operator allows free parking for a limited time and prohibits overnight stays.
Can I do the whole trip by ferry and car without a plan?
It is better to plan the ferries. The Svipper car ferries take no reservations for private cars, but sailings can be cancelled, and summer-only ferries such as the one from Andenes to Gryllefjord do not run all year.