Is it safe to drive in Norway in winter?
Risks, road closures and preparation for winter driving.
Short answer
Winter driving in Norway is recommended only for drivers with experience of snow and ice, and Visit Norway advises others to take public transport or a taxi instead. Roads can turn icy without warning, especially around zero degrees, and mountain passes may close or have convoy driving. Check road status with Statens vegvesen before you set off.
Why
- Visit Norway says driving in Norway in winter is only recommended for drivers with experience of winter conditions, and that conditions are especially difficult when the temperature hovers around zero.
- Statens vegvesen runs convoys behind snowploughs on mountain crossings when it is unsafe to drive alone, and closes passes with a barrier when the weather is too bad.
- Summer tyres cannot be used on winter roads, and in winter tyres must have a tread depth of at least 3 mm.
Details
Temperatures inside road tunnels are normally higher than outside, which can cause ice bumps at the tunnel entrances. Keep plenty of distance, slow down before curves and avoid sudden movements and abrupt braking. Many Norwegian Scenic Routes close in winter, and some do not reopen until May or June. The Vegvesen trafikk app shows traffic alerts and closures of roads, tunnels and bridges.
Tip
Before crossing a mountain pass, fill the tank or charge the battery and bring warm clothes, food and a hot drink, as Statens vegvesen recommends for convoy driving.
What may differ
In Nordland, Troms and Finnmark the winter tyre period starts earlier, on 16 October, and mountain roads can get snow and frost even when the lowlands have summer conditions.
People also ask
- Is it safe for tourists to drive in Norway in winter?
- How dangerous are Norwegian roads in winter?
Sources
- Visit Norway: Road safetyChecked at:
- Visit Norway: Must-know before you driveChecked at:
- Norwegian Public Roads Administration: Mountain passesChecked at:
- Norwegian Public Roads Administration: Tyre requirementsChecked at:
- Norwegian Armed Forces: Driving in NorwayChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Statens vegvesen before you travel.
Winter driving checklist for Norwegian roadsRelated questions
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Are Norway's mountain roads open in May, or is it too early for a road trip?
Some seasonal mountain roads in Norway are open by May, but others, such as Trollstigen and Gamle Strynefjellsvegen, have opened as late as June in previous years.
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Has Norway banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars?
No, Norway has not banned the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, but it has a political goal that all new passenger cars should be zero-emission by 2025.
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Can other electric cars use Tesla Superchargers in Norway?
Yes, most Tesla Supercharger stations in Norway are now open to other electric cars with a CCS charging port, and you start and pay for charging in the Tesla app.
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Can I get E5 or 98 octane petrol in Norway?
Yes, you can still buy 98 octane petrol labelled 98 E5 in several places in Norway, but every pump marked 95 now sells E10 with up to 10 percent ethanol.