Driving on from Larvik: Oslo, Telemark and the coast
Distances and driving times from the terminal, how Norwegian road tolls work for a foreign vehicle, and fuel prices in Norway.
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From the ferry gate in Larvik, Oslo is 135 km north on the E18, about 1 hr 40 min. Vestfold’s coastal towns are under an hour, and Telemark starts within an hour heading inland. Bergen and the western fjords are a full day of driving.
Two costs apply on the Norwegian side. Road tolls are charged automatically by number plate, with no barriers, and the registration options differ substantially in price. Fuel costs more than in Denmark, so filling up in Hirtshals before boarding is usually cheaper.
Three directions from the gate
North on the E18: Oslo, 135 km, 1 hr 40 min
Mostly dual carriageway, and tolled. This is the reason to take Larvik over any other port from Hirtshals. Nothing else on the Skagerrak puts you this close to Oslo, and the comparison with Kristiansand at roughly 320 km is not close.
On a morning sailing, Oslo is reachable the same afternoon you leave Denmark.
Along the coast: Vestfold, under an hour
Sandefjord is 25 km from Larvik and Tønsberg about 45 km, both on the coast road between Larvik and Oslo. Tønsberg is generally described as the oldest town in Norway. The coast road adds about 1 hr compared with the motorway.
West and inland: Telemark, within an hour
Telemark begins within 1 hr of Larvik and becomes mountainous quickly, with the Hardangervidda plateau beyond it. For a trip built around landscape rather than cities, Larvik is a practical arrival port.
What is further than it looks
Distances in Norway take longer to drive than the map suggests, because fjords and mountains dictate the route.
- Bergen and the western fjords. A full day of driving from Larvik on mountain roads with low average speeds. For a fjord trip, the Fjord Line crossings to Stavanger or Bergen arrive much closer. See the route comparison.
- Trondheim and the north. Assume this is a multi-day drive regardless of which port you land at.
- Stavanger. Reachable by road, but Fjord Line sails to Stavanger direct from Hirtshals.
Road tolls and fuel in Norway
Tolls, which are automatic and invisible
There are no toll barriers in Norway. Cameras read your plate as you pass and the charge follows you home. Three ways this plays out for a foreign vehicle:
| Approach | Cost | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Do nothing | Highest, no discount plus a lookup fee for tracing you | None, invoice arrives 1 to 3 months later |
| Register with Epass24 | Correct rate, no discount, no lookup fee | 10 min, can be done during the trip |
| AutoPASS visitor tag | Cheapest, discount per passage plus hourly rule and monthly cap | Order 2 to 3 weeks before you travel |
Fuel, which is why you fill up in Hirtshals
Fuel is materially more expensive in Norway than in Denmark. Arrive with a full tank and you have made the easiest saving of the trip. On the way back, run the tank down and fill up on the Danish side after landing.
Is Larvik the right gate for your Norway?
Works well if
- Oslo, Vestfold or eastern Norway is where you are going
- Telemark and the inland mountains are on the itinerary
- You want to be driving in Norway the same afternoon you left Denmark
- You are touring by car or camper and want maximum road time
Look elsewhere if
- Bergen, Stavanger or the western fjords are the point of the trip
- You are heading north beyond Trondheim, where the port barely matters
- You would rather sleep through the crossing than drive after it
- Your plan depends on arriving rested rather than arriving early
Planning the return
The return crossing leaves from the same Larvik terminal, and booking it together with the outbound attracts a 10 percent discount on the return leg. Two practical notes: fuel is cheaper in Denmark, and the number of departures varies by season, so check the timetable for your return date rather than assuming it matches the outbound.
Book the return leg from Larvik
Booking both legs together takes 10 percent off the return leg, provided your return date is known.
You book through our partner. We may receive a commission for this, at no extra cost to you.
Questions people ask
How far is Larvik from Oslo?
About 135 km on the E18, or 1 hr 40 min without stops. It is tolled, like almost every main road in Norway, and it is dual carriageway for most of the distance.
How do Norwegian road tolls work for a foreign car?
Automatically, by number plate recognition. There are no barriers. You either do nothing and get invoiced at home one to three months later with a lookup fee, register your plate with Epass24, or order an AutoPASS visitor tag in advance for the cheapest rate.
Should I fill up before I leave Denmark?
Fuel is more expensive in Norway than in Denmark, so filling up in Hirtshals before boarding is usually cheaper. On the return leg, fill up after arriving in Denmark.
Is Larvik a good base for the fjords?
Not really. The famous western fjords are a long drive from Larvik. If the fjords are the whole point of the trip, the Fjord Line crossings to Stavanger or Bergen put you far closer for the same holiday.
What is worth seeing between Larvik and Oslo?
The Vestfold coast towns, Sandefjord and Tønsberg among them, are a pleasant slow alternative to the motorway. Tønsberg claims to be the oldest town in Norway, and the detour costs an hour.