The Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway is 8,274 m of road and bridges between Averøy and Hustadvika, and it is free to drive. The National Tourist Route around it is 36 km, from Kårvåg to Bud. Drive it in an hour, or spend half a day with the stops. Rough weather is part of the point, but it can make the bridges hard for cyclists.
This guide is for visitors with a car or a bike. Norwegians planning a weekend can read our Norwegian version.
The road in numbers
Length and bridges
The road runs from Vevang in Hustadvika to Utheim on Averøy. It is 8,274 m long and opened on 7 July 1989. The bridges include Klipabrua, Hulvågbrua, Myrbærholmbrua, Storseisundbrua, Geitøybrua, Storlauvøybrua and Litllauvøybrua.
Storseisundbrua
The best-known bridge is 260 m long, with a main span of 130 m. It has a clearance of 23 m above the sea and opened in 1988.
Cost and tollThe road cost NOK 122 million to build. It had a toll until June 1999. Today it is free.
The tunnel from Kristiansund
The Atlantic Ocean Tunnel, 5.7 km long, opened at the end of 2009 and replaced the ferry from Kristiansund to Bremsnes. Its toll was removed on 1 July 2020. Note that Kristiansund has a toll ring of its own at Nordsundbroen and Omsundbroen. When we checked, it had not started charging yet; see bypakkekristiansund.no for the start date and prices.
How to get there
By plane
SAS flew 71 direct departures from Oslo to Kristiansund in October 2026, about 18 a week. Norwegian and Widerøe flew 83 from Oslo to Molde in the same month, about 22 a week. Fly into one and out of the other if your rental car allows it.
By car between the two towns
Visit Norway suggests a drive from Kristiansund to Molde over the Atlantic Ocean Road with about 2.5 hours of driving. From Bud to Molde is about 40 minutes.
The stops, from Kristiansund to Bud
1. Kristiansund and the klippfisk
Kristiansund has been a klippfisk town since 1691. Eat bacalao here before you drive. Read our guide to traditional Norwegian food for what to order.
2. Grip, if you have a day
Grip is a small fishing village on islets 14 km north-west of Kristiansund. The boat leaves from Piren in Kristiansund daily from the last weekend of May to the last weekend of August, with two trips a day from 3 July to 2 August.
3. Kvernes stave church
A short detour on Averøy takes you to Kvernes stave church. It is one of the few stave churches built after the Reformation.
4. Myrbærholm bridge
The Scenic Routes point to Myrbærholm bridge as a place to fish from. Bring your own rod.
5. Eldhusøya
This is the main stop. A walkway loops round the island, with views of the road and Storseisundbrua. The walkway and toilets are open every day all year. The café is open daily 10–20 from 1 June to 31 August. From 1 March to 31 May and 1 September to 1 November it opens 11–17 on weekends and public holidays. It is closed on 1 May and 17 May.
6. Askevågen
At the end of the breakwater in Askevågen is a viewing platform with glass walls and views in every direction. Stay behind the glass in rough weather.
7. Farstadsanden and the coastal path
Farstadsanden is a sandy beach and a nature reserve. A coastal path runs between Farstadsanden and Vevang.
8. Bud and Ergan Coastal Fort
Bud is a fishing village at the end of the route. Ergan Coastal Fort is a German fort from the Second World War, run by the Bud Coastal Museum. In 2026 it was open 22 June to 16 August, every day 11–15, with tours at 12, 13 and 14. Adults paid NOK 180, students and seniors NOK 145, young people 12–18 NOK 75, and children under 12 entered free.
Practical tips
Cycling
The road is part of National Cycle Route 1 and EuroVelo 1. The Norwegian Scenic Routes warn that strong wind on the bridges can be dangerous. Walk the bike if you need to.
Motorhomes
There are dump stations at Kårvåg, Vevang, Eide, Bud, Kristiansund and Molde.
Traffic information
For road status, call +47 815 48 991. In autumn and winter storms, check before you drive.
When to go
The Eldhusøya walkway is open all year. Summer gives you the café on Eldhusøya, the Grip boat and Ergan. Autumn and winter give you storms with nobody else around.
Our verdict
Drive the Atlantic Ocean Road once in each direction, with a stop at Eldhusøya. It is a short road, so pair it with Kristiansund, Bud or Grip to make a full day. Do not cycle it on a windy day.
More fjord and coast guides are in our fjords section. Combine it with Trollstigen and Geiranger or a weekend in Alesund.
The road is free, the Eldhusøya walkway is open all year, and the café opens daily 10–20 in summer.