Kristiansand to Mainz Road Trip Guide: Route, Stops & Tips

The E39 highway from Kristiansand to the German border via Hirtshals is one of Europe's most curious road segments: it requires two ferry crossings – from Kristiansand to Hirtshals (Denmark) and then from Rødbyhavn to Puttgarden (Germany) – the latter being part of the Vogelfluglinie, a corridor that will soon be replaced by the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link tunnel.

This 12-hour drive (excluding ferry and border wait times) covers 860 km as the crow flies, but the actual route spans nearly 1,100 km of motorway and rural roads. The journey traverses three countries and two major climate zones, making it a multifaceted road trip. The best stops Kristiansand to Mainz include coastal Danish towns, historic Lübeck, and the scenic Harz Mountains foothills.

Is it worth driving Kristiansand to Mainz? For travelers who value flexibility and the chance to explore small towns, yes. But you must plan ferries, fuel, and rest stops carefully. The route includes two ferries: Kristiansand–Hirtshals (Color Line or Fjord Line, book ahead) and Rødbyhavn–Puttgarden (Scandlines, departures every 30 min).

Fuel costs: Assume petrol price ~€1.80/L in Norway, ~€1.60/L in Denmark, ~€1.50/L in Germany. For an average car (7L/100 km), total fuel cost is about €115. Diesel cheaper by ~€0.10/L. To save, fill up in Germany before leaving.

• Key highways: E39 (Norway), E45 (Denmark), A7 (Germany), then A5/A61 to Mainz.
• Ferry booking: For Kristiansand–Hirtshals, book at least 2 days in advance in summer.
• Tolls: Norway has tolls on E39 (~€5), Denmark has no motorway tolls, Germany has no tolls for cars.
• Fuel station density: On E45 in Denmark, stations every 30–50 km; in Germany, every 20 km on A7.

Road quality is excellent throughout: all motorways are paved and well-maintained. Danish motorways have active safety cameras; German autobahns have many no-speed-limit sections, but average speed is 130 km/h recommended. Night illumination: German A7 is fully lit; Danish E45 has sections without lighting – drive with care.

For families: the LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark (off E45, exit 61) is a 2-hour stop. The Universe Science Park in Sønderborg is also kid-friendly. Pet-friendly rest areas: most Danish rest stops have fenced dog runs; German Raststätten require dogs on leash.

Fatigue management: Use the How to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities tool: how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. Recommended nap spots: Raststätte Dammer Berge (A1, km 250) has air-conditioned rest cabins; in Denmark, the Frøslev Motorway Service Area (E45) has shaded picnic tables.

• Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned Soviet military bunker at Marienleuchte (Fehmarn island) is a 5-min detour from A1.
• Pet-friendly cafes: Café Månen in Hirtshals has outdoor seating and water bowls.
• Safety tip: In Germany, keep a reflective vest and first-aid kit in the car – mandatory by law.

The landscape shifts dramatically: from Norway's fjord-indented coast to Denmark's flat farmlands and beech forests, then to Germany's rolling hills and vineyards. The E45 crosses the Lillebælt Bridge, a 1970 cable-stayed bridge with panoramic views of the Little Belt strait.

Natural attractions include the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea National Park (Denmark) – accessible via a short detour from Esbjerg. In Germany, the Harz National Park offers the Brocken peak and steam trains. For sunset viewing, stop at the Fehmarn Sound Bridge (German: Fehmarnsundbrücke) at dusk.

• Wadden Sea (UNESCO): Mudflat hiking, seal colonies. Detour: +30 min from E45 near Esbjerg.
• Lübeck Old Town (UNESCO): Brick Gothic architecture, Marzipan museum. 10 min off A1.
• Local delicacies: In Denmark, try smørrebrød at roadside kiosks; in Germany, buy green cabbage (Grünkohl) with Pinkel sausage at farm stands near Oldenburg.
• Crafts: Handmade wooden toys in the Erzgebirge region (detour: +1 hour). Best purchased at village markets on Friday mornings.