Ghent to Stavanger Road Trip: Ultimate Guide to Epic Nordic Drive

Did you know that the E39 highway between the Netherlands and Norway includes seven ferry crossings, more than any other European route of similar length? This road trip from Ghent to Stavanger is a 1,200-kilometer journey that weaves through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, taking roughly 16–20 hours of driving time excluding ferries and breaks.

The route begins in Ghent, a medieval gem in Flanders, and ends in Stavanger, the oil capital of Norway flanked by prehistoric fjords. It's a drive that transitions from flat polders to rolling Danish hills, then to steep Norwegian mountains—a journey that answers the question is it worth driving Ghent to Stavanger? Absolutely, for the sheer diversity of landscapes and cultures encountered along the way.

To optimize how long to drive Ghent to Stavanger, plan for at least 3 days, including overnight stops in Hamburg and Hirtshals before catching the ferry to Kristiansand. For things to do between Ghent and Stavanger, this guide covers UNESCO sites, hidden off-route spots, and family-friendly breaks.

For more on discovering unique stops, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Planning your fuel stops along the E39 is crucial. In Germany and Denmark, diesel costs about €1.50–1.80 per liter; in Norway, it jumps to €2.00–2.30. Tolls are present in Belgium (viaker), Germany (none on highways for cars), Denmark (Storebælt bridge ~€50), and Norway (several tolls, auto-billed).

• Belgium: E17 toll-free, but Antwerp ring road (R1) has a toll for some tunnels.
• Germany: A1 autobahn free for cars, but sections are unrestricted speed—watch your speed.
• Denmark: E45 free, Storebælt bridge toll (~€50), and some smaller bridges.
• Norway: AutoPASS system tolls on E39; rental cars often have billing included.

Ferries are unavoidable: Hirtshals–Kristiansand is the main crossing, operated by Color Line (3h15m) and Fjord Line (2h15m faster catamaran, but more expensive). Inside Norway, the E39 has several small ferries (e.g., Langeland–Stavanger) that are free with toll passes (Ferry bypass not possible).

Book ferry tickets in advance for summer; prices range €50–€150 per vehicle. The how long to drive Ghent to Stavanger answer heavily depends on ferry waits—add 2–3 hours for boarding.

Road quality is excellent on all highways, but in Norway expect narrow two-lane roads with frequent tunnels. Many Norwegian tunnels have sharp curves and are unlit in older sections—drive with dipped headlights. Speed limits: 130 km/h in Germany, 110 in Belgium/NL/DK, 80–90 in Norway. Watch for wildlife in Norway (moose, deer) especially at dusk.

For families, best stops Ghent to Stavanger include: Legoland Billund (Denmark, detour 20 min from E45), Lalandia water park in Søndervig (Denmark), and the Dyreparken zoo in Kristiansand. Norway has the GoGift Activity Park near Stavanger.

Fatigue management is key: Plan stops every 2 hours. Recommended rest zones include:

• Belgium: Park & Ride at Gent Sint-Pieters station (free).
• Germany: Raststätte Hollenstedt on A1 (has restaurant, toilets, playground).
• Denmark: Motorvej E45 rest area at Skærup (with nature path).
• Norway: Fidsel rest area on E39 south of Stavanger (fjord view, picnic tables).

Hidden off-route spots: Visit the abandoned Soviet submarine base in St. Peter-Ording (Germany), the Himmelbjerget hill in Denmark (hike with lake view), or the Flor & Fjære tropical garden near Stavanger (by boat).

For things to do between Ghent and Stavanger, consider a walk through the medieval town of Ribe (Denmark's oldest town) or a kayak trip in the Lysefjord. Local commerce tip: In Hamburg, buy fresh fish at the Fischmarkt (Sunday mornings). In Kristiansand, visit the fish market at 1 Rådhusgata for Norwegian salmon.

Starting in Ghent, the landscape is flat and agricultural—dense with canals and cyclist lanes. As you cross into the Netherlands, the polders give way to the Wadden Sea UNESCO site (near Groningen, a detour worth taking). Continue north into Germany's Schleswig-Holstein region: rolling farmland studded with wind turbines and historic villages like Lauenburg on the Elbe.

In Denmark, the landscapes become more dramatic: the Limfjord, white cliffs of Møns Klint (detour), and finally the rugged coast of Skagen. The ferry crossing to Norway introduces you to the skerry-guarded coast of Kristiansand, then the E39 snakes through mountainous terrain with fjord views, waterfalls, and tunnels like the 7.5 km Lysefjord Tunnel.

Local commerce along the route includes Belgian chocolatiers (Neuhaus in Ghent), German Christmas markets in winter, Danish farm shops selling flødeboller (cream puffs), and Norwegian fish markets in Stavanger. For authentic souvenirs, stop at a Scandinavian loppemarked (flea market) or a Norwegian rorbu (fisherman's cabin) store.

• UNESCO sites: Historic Centre of Ghent (city itself), Wadden Sea (near Groningen), Hanseatic City of Hamburg (Speicherstadt), Christiansfeld (Moravian Church settlement, Denmark), Bryggen in Bergen (if extending to Bergen).
• Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned fishing village of Arnis on the Schlei in Germany; the fossil-rich cliffs of Møns Klint in Denmark; the Preikestolen hike near Stavanger (must-do).