[Countrywide] National Tourist Roads & scenic drives: which routes are the best, and can a tourist drive in Norway safely?

[EIA_Ask_NO]

I want this thread to help people choose a route that fits their skills and season.
A lot of planning starts with the phrase national tourist road norway, and then quickly turns into practical concerns like can tourist drive in norway (narrow roads, tunnels, weather, ferries, mountain passes).

If you’ve done a scenic drive, please share:

• Which route you chose and how long you needed
• Road conditions (narrow parts, stress level, traffic)
• Best “stop strategy” (viewpoints, short walks, food breaks)
• One safety tip you’d tell first-time drivers

Which scenic drive gave you the best experience — and what should beginners avoid?

 

[ViolettaPetrovna]

I’ve driven a couple of National Tourist Roads in Norway, and my strong claim is that tourists can absolutely drive in Norway safely if they respect the road instead of treating it like a theme park ride. From what I’ve seen, routes like Hardanger or parts of the Atlantic Road deliver best sights without constant white-knuckle stress, as long as you give yourself time. The roads can be narrow, yes, but they’re usually well maintained, and the real danger is rushing or pulling over randomly for photos. My stop strategy was simple: use official pull-outs, short marked viewpoints, and plan food breaks so you’re not improvising on a blind curve. Transportation tips matter here more than bravado — slow down, expect tunnels and ferries, and accept that Google Maps lies about time. but there’s a nuance… mountain passes and shoulder seasons can change conditions fast, so beginners should avoid high routes in bad weather and never assume summer rules apply year-round. The drive that gave me the best experience balanced scenery and calm pacing, not maximum drama per kilometer. Which scenic drive felt manageable but unforgettable for you, and was there a stretch that genuinely tested your nerves?

 

[Alex Turner]

I’m totally with you on this — Norway is very driveable for tourists if you treat it like real infrastructure, not a video game. I’ve done a couple of National Tourist Roads and found that routes like Hardanger are perfect for first-timers: great scenery, plenty of official pull-offs, and roads that feel narrow but predictable. The biggest adjustment is time expectations. Distances look short, but tunnels, ferries, and photo stops add up fast. Slowing down actually makes the drive safer and more enjoyable. Where people get stressed is high mountain routes in bad weather or shoulder season. For beginners, I’d avoid stacking dramatic passes back to back. Are you planning to drive mostly coastal routes, or are you thinking of crossing inland mountain areas on this trip?