Planning Your E39 Coastal Drive
Driving Norway’s E39 highway between Kristiansand and Trondheim requires using a chain of mandatory car ferries. The road, which runs for approximately 1,100 km, is interrupted by wide, deep fjords, making these crossings an integral part of the journey. The total drive currently takes around 21 hours, including the ferry sailings. Unlike many tourist ferries, the services on this route are fundamental parts of the national road network. They generally cannot be reserved in advance; instead, vehicles queue at the quay for the next available sailing on a first-come, first-served basis.
For drivers, this system requires a flexible itinerary. On the busiest routes, such as Mortavika-Arsvågen and Sandvikvag-Halhjem, ferries are large and depart very frequently, so waiting times are often short. On other crossings, the schedule might be less frequent. During peak summer months and public holidays, queues can be longer, so it is sensible to allow extra time in your schedule, especially if you need to connect with another ferry crossing later the same day. Payment is handled automatically through the AutoPASS system, which is linked to your vehicle's registration number or a toll tag, meaning you do not pay in cash at each crossing.
The E39 Ferry Crossings in Order (South to North)
The exact number of ferries on the E39 can be cited as seven or eight, depending on how local connections are counted. Below are the key crossings you will encounter when driving the main route from south to north.
1. Mortavika–Arsvågen (Boknafjord crossing)
This is the first major ferry after leaving the Stavanger area heading north. The crossing over the Boknafjord takes roughly 25 minutes. Operated by Norled, this is one of Norway's busiest car ferry routes, with dozens of sailings per direction each day. Departures are approximately every half hour, meaning you can generally turn up and board the next ferry without a long wait outside of peak traffic periods.
2. Sandvikvag–Halhjem (Bjørnafjord crossing)
Connecting the island of Stord to the mainland south of Bergen, this is another of the most heavily trafficked ferry routes in Norway. The sailing time across the Bjørnafjord is about 40 to 45 minutes. The vessels used are large, with capacity for around 200 cars, and departures are frequent, with roughly 30-plus sailings each way per day. Even with this high capacity, it is wise to anticipate potential queues during peak season.
3. Anda–Lote (Nordfjord crossing)
Further north, after passing through the long tunnels beyond the Sognefjord, the E39 crosses the Nordfjord. The Anda-Lote connection is a very short and straightforward crossing with a sailing time of only about 10 minutes. Its frequency means it functions more like a floating bridge, with minimal disruption to your journey.
4. Festøya–Solavågen
As you approach the city of Ålesund, the E39 requires this crossing. The journey takes about 20 minutes and, like other key E39 links, it has very frequent daily sailings, making sure a steady flow of traffic along the coastal highway.
5. Molde–Vestnes (Romsdalsfjord crossing)
To continue north from Molde, you must cross the wide Moldefjord (also known as the Romsdalsfjord). This ferry journey takes approximately 35 minutes. Services in this region, Møre og Romsdal county, are often branded under the regional FRAM network, though they remain part of the national E39 route.
6. Halsa–Kanestraum
This is one of the final E39 ferry crossings before the road continues towards Trondheim. The sailing time is about 20 minutes, completing the chain of fjord crossings that characterise the northern section of the coastal highway.
Paying for E39 Ferries: The AutoPASS System
Cash is not used for ferry fares on the E39. All payments are automated via the AutoPASS ferry payment scheme. This system is integrated with the general AutoPASS toll system used for roads and bridges across Norway.
- For your own car: If you have a Norwegian AutoPASS tag (brikke), fares are charged to your account. For foreign-registered vehicles, you should register your vehicle's number plate with a toll service provider like EPASS24 before your trip. Cameras at the ferry quay record your plate, and an invoice is sent to the registered address later.
- For a rental car: Rental cars in Norway are already equipped with an AutoPASS tag. The rental company will charge you for all ferry and road tolls incurred during your hire period, often as a single total at the end of the rental. Check the specific terms with your rental provider.
- For foot passengers: The AutoPASS system is for vehicles. Foot passengers and cyclists typically travel for free or purchase tickets separately, though policies can vary. Check with the individual ferry operator.
Fares are not uniform across all crossings. The cost typically depends on factors like the length of your vehicle and the distance of the crossing. You can find specific pricing information on the operators' websites, such as Fjord1, Norled, and Torghatten, or through the AutoPASS portal.
The Future: The Ferry-free E39 (Ferjefri E39) Project
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) is managing a long-term infrastructure programme known as 'Ferjefri E39' or the Ferry-free E39 project. The goal is to replace all the remaining ferry crossings with a continuous chain of bridges and tunnels, which would cut the total Kristiansand-Trondheim drive time to approximately 13 hours.
This is a complex, decades-long undertaking due to the extreme challenges of crossing fjords that can be several kilometres wide and up to 1,300 metres deep. The project involves pioneering engineering solutions, including floating bridges and submerged floating tunnels.
Key Replacement Projects
- Rogfast: This 27-km subsea tunnel will run under the Boknafjord, replacing the Mortavika-Arsvågen ferry. When complete, it is set to be the world's longest and deepest subsea road tunnel. The target for opening is in the early 2030s.
- Hordfast: This project aims to replace the Sandvikvag-Halhjem ferry with a floating bridge several kilometres long across the Bjørnafjord. This is also a long-term project without a fixed completion date.
For tourists planning a trip in the near future, the E39 will continue to involve multiple ferry crossings. The full vision of a ferry-free highway is many years away, so current road-trip plans must still account for the existing ferry network.
