Bergen to Ålesund Road Trip: Best Stops & Scenic Drive

The drive from Bergen to Ålesund covers 410 km of Norway's most dramatic scenery, starting at 60.3913° N and ending at 62.4723° N. The route primarily uses the E39 highway and the E136, with a critical ferry crossing at Festøy. This is not a simple road trip – it's a journey through narrow fjords, over the Trollstigen mountain pass, and past UNESCO World Heritage sites. The estimated driving time is 6–8 hours without stops, but most travelers spend two to three days exploring. A local driving quirk: many ferries along the E39 are prepaid via AutoPASS, so ensure you have a valid tag or buy tickets online before boarding. One of the best stops Bergen to Ålesund is the viewpoint at Ørnevegen (Eagle Road) near Geiranger, offering a vertiginous panorama of the fjord below.

Below is a quick reference table for key stats along the route.

Many visitors ask how long to drive Bergen to Ålesund non-stop, but the answer is: you should not rush. The fjords, waterfalls, and mountain passes demand stops. Is it worth driving Bergen to Ålesund? Absolutely – the journey is the destination, with views that rival any in Norway. To maximize your experience, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Road quality on the E39 and E136 is generally excellent, but many sections are narrow, twisty, and without guardrails. In winter (October–April), some mountain passes require winter tires and chains. Trollstigen (troll's ladder) is a steep, hairpin road with 11 switchbacks; it opens only from late May to October. Drive slowly, use low gears, and let faster vehicles pass. The route includes several tunnels; some are narrow with oncoming traffic. Fatigue management is crucial: plan rest stops every 1.5 hours. Dedicated rest zones exist at Lagen E39 (NOK 50 for a coffee), near the Jostedalsbreen entrance, and in Linge (picnic tables with fjord view). Family suitability is high – children love the ferry rides, glacier walks, and Trollstigen's troll sculptures. Pet-friendly framework: most ferries accept dogs, but some glacier walks prohibit pets due to crevasses. Always keep your dog on a leash in national parks.

• Winter closure: check Statens Vegvesen for pass status
• Rest zones: 6 official Rasteplasser between Bergen and Ålesund with toilets
• Family stops: Trollstigen viewpoint, Geiranger playground, Aalesunds Museum
• Pet-friendly hotels: Scandic Ålesund, Hotel Union Geiranger (pet fee 200 NOK)
• Emergency: dial 112 for ambulance, 110 for fire, 02800 for breakdown

Hidden off-route spots include the abandoned farm of Skageflå above Geirangerfjord (accessible by hiking from Ørnesvingen), the rock art at Vingen (over 2,000 prehistoric carvings), and the sunken village under the lake at Tafjord. For a quiet lunch, detour to the Sylte Gjestgiveri in Valldal, a historic inn known for its strawberry desserts. Fatigue management also involves taking advantage of the many viewpoints – a 5-minute stop to breathe and photograph refreshes more than an hour of straight driving. Remember to carry cash for tolls and ferries, though most accept cards. The best time for this drive is May–September when all roads and attractions are open. Is it worth driving Bergen to Ålesund for a family with children? Yes, if you allow extra time for ice cream stops and short hikes.

The landscapes along this route are among the most spectacular in Norway. Starting in Bergen, the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord is a short detour from the E16 – a narrow fjord flanked by 1,800-metre mountains and cascading waterfalls. Continue north to the Jostedalsbreen National Park, home to continental Europe's largest glacier. The Bøyabreen glacier tongue is visible from the road; a parking lot at 61.5265° N, 6.4410° E offers a short walk to the ice. Further north, the Geirangerfjord (UNESCO) is the crown jewel, with the famous viewpoints at Flydalsjuvet and Ørnevegen. Local commerce thrives in small villages: farm shops sell goat cheese, cured meats, and hand-knitted sweaters. In Hellesylt, a ferry crossing leads directly into Geirangerfjord. The town of Ålesund itself is a UNESCO-protected art nouveau town, rebuilt after a 1904 fire.

• Nærøyfjord: Cruise from Gudvangen (350 NOK, 2 hours)
• Jostedalsbreen: Guided glacier walks from June to September
• Geirangerfjord: Seven Sisters waterfall, viewpoint at 62.1058° N, 7.2131° E
• Ålesund: Jugendstil architecture, climb 418 steps to Aksla viewpoint
• Local produce: Stryn cheese, Valldal strawberries (in July)

Things to do between Bergen and Ålesund include hiking to the Briksdal glacier (one hour from the E39), visiting the Lofthus fruit farm, or taking a rib boat safari in Geiranger. For a cultural stop, the Norsk Fjordsenter in Geiranger offers exhibits on fjord formation and sustainable tourism. The drive itself rewards with ever-changing sceneries: from the green valleys of Voss to the snow-capped peaks of the Romsdal Alps. In autumn, the birch trees turn gold, and in spring, the waterfalls are at their fullest. How to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities is a skill that pays off – consider a guided tour to local artworks or nomadic cafes hidden along the E136.

The primary arteries are E39 (Bergen–Førde–Nordfjordeid) and E136 (Ålesund–Linge–Dombås). Between Volda and Festøy, you must take a ferry across the Vartdalsfjorden – a 15-minute crossing that costs roughly 120 NOK for a standard car. Fuel stations are abundant in towns like Voss, Førde, and Stranda, but sparse in mountainous stretches. Fill up when you see a station; the distance between pumps can be 80 km or more. The national speed limit is 80 km/h on most two-lane roads, but expect slower going on winding fjord roads. Tolls are electronic and typically charged per fjord crossing or tunnel. The route also includes Norway's longest road tunnel, the Lærdal Tunnel (24.5 km) on the E16 if you take the southern detour – but that bypasses the coastal scenery. For the classic Bergen–Ålesund drive, stick to the E39/E136 combination.

• Ferries: Festøy–Årnes (Rv651) or Volda–Festøy (busy, avoid peak hours 15-17)
• Tunnel tolls: 57 NOKs per tunnel on average, paid via AutoPASS
• Fuel cost: Approx 1,200 NOK total for the 410 km round trip (petrol car)
• Accommodation: Pre-book in Geiranger and Ålesund in summer