Beautiful fjords, majestic mountains and picturesque small farms. The trip between Stavanger and Bergen shows Norway from its best side. There are several different routes you can choose from, read more about the highlights of each route.
Regardless if you choose the coastal or drive through the national romantic fairytale landscape Hardanger, the trip from Stavanger to Bergen is an unparalleled road trip. So pack your bags - some of Norway's most beautiful landscapes are waiting for you.
How long does it take to drive from Stavanger to Bergen?
If you take the fastest route, you’ll be on the road for no more than 4 hours from Stavanger to Bergen. If you choose detours, such as via Ryfylke, it takes you a couple of extra hours. In other words, driving along the coast is the best option if you just want to reach Bergen as fast as possible. But there are plenty of good reasons to explore our suggested detours.
If you are starting your journey further south in Kristiansand and want to drive to Bergen, you are about half way when you get to Stavanger. Check out the first leg of the journey from Kristiansand to Stavanger here.
Alternativ 1: The shortest route - E39 (4 hours)
Along the coast, Europavei 39 winds its way north - and is the most obvious travel route from Stavanger to Bergen. Along the way you’ll see sheep grazing along the road, green-clad ridges, fantastic fjord arms and beautiful sea views.
Photo: Gjertrud Coutinho
Driving from Stavanger to Bergen you will pass the city Haugesund, if you would like to enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants down by the harbour. Read more about driving from Haugesund to Bergen here.
Close to Haugesund you also find the island Karmøy with its nice beaches and the charming village Skudeneshavn - the white empire city. If you love museums, you can stop by Nordvegen Historiesenter and Vikinggarden for a little historical replenishment. Even if museums are not your thing, you should stop by anyway. The area has a wonderful view of Karmsundet.
Ferries between Stavanger and Bergen on E39
On this route there are two ferry routes, which provide a break from driving. The first ferry if you start in Stavanger going north to Bergen is from Mortavika, on Rennesøy outside of Stavanger, to Arsvågen. The crossing takes approx. 25 minutes, just enough time for a cup of coffee for the adults and an ice cream for the kids. You will find the timetable here.
From Sandvikvåg on the island called Stord you can take the ferry to Halhjem. Photo: Gjertrud Coutinho
If you want to continue to the next ferry without detours, it is about 120 kilometers to the next ferry berth, Sandvikvåg, located on the island called Stord. From Sandvikvåg the ferry goes to Halhjem, which is a 30 minutes drive from Bergen. The crossing takes 45 minutes, you will find more information about this ferry here.
Both ferries run quite often, the first every 15 minutes and the second every 20 minutes during daytime/evening. Not as frequent late at night or very early in the morning.
Alternativ 2: The adventurous route - via Folgefonna and the Hardangerfjord
If you are the adventurous type, this route will be right up your alley. It will take you about 3.5 hours to reach Odda from Stavanger. Odda is a great place for outdoor adventures A popular choice is of course Trolltunga - one of the world's most spectacular viewpoints. We recommend that you stay overnight locally if you embark on the 10-12 hour journey.
Photo: Scott Sporleder/Matador Network/FjordNorway.com
If you have children, Mikkelparken in Kinsarvik (50 minutes drive from Odda) is an excellent choice.
From Odda you can also go on a glacier hike on Folgefonna glacier. The drive to Folgefonna takes about 45 minutes from Odda. And as long as you are visiting the Hardangerfjord area: Why not visit one of the many apple orchards the area is widely known for? Treat yourself to some locally produced apple juice before continuing towards Bergen. The remaining part of the trip should take you approximately 3 hours.
Photo: Hotel Ullensvang/Morten Knudsen
Alternativ 4: Full package - drive via Ryfylke
Do you want to add another detour? Then you should choose to drive via Ryfylke! It takes you closer to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), perhaps the most iconic natural landmark in Norway. Made even more famous by the scenes in Mission Impossible: Fallout where Tom Cruise hangs from the cliff.
The hike to Preikestolen is of moderate difficulty. In total, the 8-kilometer hike takes about 4-5 hours (round trip). The trail includes swampland, forests, and stone stairways built by Nepalese sherpas, so be sure to bring the right equipment for the trip.
Afterwards you continue on Riksvei 13 through Suldal, which is one of 18 road stretches in Norway branded as a «national tourist road». The road goes through an extraordinary landscape, with lush slopes, steep mountains, deep fjords - and (almost) everything in between. Suldal also offers a number of experiences for both young and old. We recommend you try the salmon safari. Don’t forget to stop by Røldal, which is also a great place for nature experiences, before you drive on to Odda and then Bergen. In total, this route takes 7.5 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Stavanger to Bergen?
The cost of the different driving routes will of course vary with what kind of car you are driving. If you are driving an electrical car, the cost is substantially lower than for a petrol car. There are plenty of petrol stations and charging points on all routes. All route options have toll stations.
Check out where you can find petrol stations in Norway.
Read more about toll roads in Norway.
Regardless of the route, you will have to take at least one ferry. But the ferry ride is an excellent opportunity to have a coffee or a snack as nature passes by.
The price for a standard car on the ferry between Mortaviken - Årsvågen = about NOK 200 kroner. The price includes the toll just before you get to the ferry. All ticket prices can be found here.
The price for a standard car on the ferry between Sandvikvåg- Halhjem = about NOK 240 kroner. All ticket prices can be found here.
Alternative ways of getting from Stavanger to Bergen
If you would like a break from driving, you can always take the Fjord Line ferry from Stavanger to Bergen. There is no train connection between Bergen and Stavanger, but a great alternative is to take the bus called Kystbussen. If you simply want to get to Bergen as soon as possible (we understand you!), you can of course fly. From Bergen Airport Flesland, it is easy to get to Bergen city center either by bus (Flybussen) or the Bergen Light Rail (Bybanen).
Read more about how to travel to Bergen and how to travel around Bergen.
Check out our suggestions for things to do when you arrive in Bergen.
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
