The Hidden North
North European travel guide
self-guided road-trips
Ørje (on the Swedish border) to Kristiansand (via Oslo) on the E18
Follow Norway’s southern highway from Oslo to Kristiansand. Along the way, you’ll pass historic settlements that go back to the Viking Age but also the centre of Norwegian trade during the 17th and 18th centuries.
What you get
Free interactive Google Map (with every place mentioned in the guide marked with an address) that can be loaded into your GPS, making finding that stave church or petrol station much easier.
Detailed overviews of all the major points of interest on the road.
Practical information (cafes, dining, museums, toilets, petrol, road-side rest areas, detours, alternate routes)
Historic, modern and practical information for every city, town, village, and farm you pass through
Modern and historic images of all the major points of interests
Distance between points (in kilometres and miles)
QR code & interactive links to museum websites, relevant pages on our website, ferry timetables, and more!
This guide is 10 pages and comes in a PDF format.
Why drive on this highway?
The E18 highway follows the western side of the Oslofjord as it stretches from near the Swedish border, through Oslo, and then down to Kristiansand. Many historic cities can be found here as it used to be an important place for shipbuilding and the shipping business. The road itself is a major highway and therefore lackign in some spectacular scenery, but you can find many beautiful scenic detours and places to visit!
Trip Highlights
- Visit Tonsberg, the first town in Norway
- Stop in the iconic trading towns of Sandefjord and Arendal
- Travel along the west coast of the Oslofjord
Distance
401km / 249 miles
Start Location
Ørje, on the Swedish border
End Location
Kristiansand
This drive can easily be done in either direction.
This guide will:
- Answer the question “How do people live here?”
- Provide you with historic images and stories relevant to where you are
- Give you practical tips such as – where’s the nearest toilet? When can I get a hot dog? You know, the important stuff.
- Show you interesting points where you can stop to stretch your legs or get beautiful photos of Norway
- Give you information about museums (including opening hours), attractions, and major points of interests that you can visit
This guide won’t:
- Drive for you (Sorry, we aren’t that advanced yet)
- Give you accommodation tips (this guide assumes you know where you are staying already). If you want accommodation tips, visit our (free) online travel guide https://thehiddennorth.com/norway
Example of what the guide looks like.
Resources for the E18 Highway
The Route
An interactive version of this map is available after purchase.