VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
The Atlantic Ocean Road by Motorhome: Norway's Legendary Stretch
Eight kilometres of bridges skimming the waves between Molde and Kristiansund: the route from Oslo, the best stops and practical tips for the Atlanterhavsveien.
Eight kilometres and eight bridges thrown from islet to islet at ocean level: the Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Ocean Road), between Molde and Kristiansund, is probably the most photographed stretch of road in Norway — the Storseisundet bridge, twisted like a ski jump, has become its emblem. Short in kilometres, immense in images: here is how to fold it into a motorhome road trip worthy of the detour.
A "National Tourist Route" — and that's not a slogan
The Atlantic Road is one of Norway's 18 National Tourist Routes (Nasjonale turistveger), fitted out with viewpoints and carefully designed architecture. The effect on the driving experience is documented: the study by Jon Martin Denstadli and Jens Kristian Steen Jacobsen published in 2011 in Tourism Management (Google Scholar page) shows that the perceived quality of a scenic route owes as much to its stopping points and the legibility of the landscape as to the landscape itself — precisely what these installations optimise. Practical translation: allow time to stop; that is where the road is won.
The route from Oslo: through Romsdal
From Oslo, allow two comfortable days: the E6 climbs the Gudbrandsdalen to Dombås, then the E136 descends the Romsdal valley towards Åndalsnes, between climbers' walls and a salmon river. From there, Molde is an hour away and the Atlantic Road begins some forty kilometres further on. Hairpin lovers should check whether the Trollstigen is open before making the detour — the eleven-bend road closes regularly (snow, rockfall). Our guide to campervan hire in Oslo covers leaving the capital, AutoPASS tolls included.
On site: take your time — especially in rough weather
An assumed paradox: the Atlantic Road is even more spectacular in a storm, when waves sweep across the bridges — photographers gather here for the autumn gales. In a motorhome, ease off, park at the built viewpoints (Askevågen, the boardwalk trails of Eldhusøya) and let the gusts pass. In fine weather, sunsets over the Norwegian Sea do the rest. The road itself is toll-free and open year-round.
Carrying on: fjords to the south, coast to the north
To the south, the Geirangerfjord and its waterfalls are half a day away — our Norwegian fjords road trip rolls out the logical continuation down to Bergen, whose coastal route deserves its own chapter. To the north, Kristiansund opens the road to Trondheim. On budget, Norway is manageable: expensive fuel but decent campsites, automatic tolls — our fuel and tolls guide helps frame the envelope.
Practical notes
Norwegian reminders: the allemannsretten does not cover vehicles (campsites or authorised spots), tunnels are everywhere and coastal weather turns in an hour — check it the way you would check a forecast before a mountain pass. Rent from Oslo, Bergen or Trondheim depending on your loop: compare the platforms on Van-Comparator before locking in your dates.
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