---
title: "First Family Motorhome Trip in Norway: 8 Tips"
description: Planning your first family motorhome trip in Norway? 8 practical tips on planning, breaks, packing and patience for a smoother road trip.
---

[Stories](https://stories.campr.no/en)

# [First Family Motorhome Trip in Norway: 8 Tips](https://stories.campr.no/en/post/first-family-motorhome-trip-tips)

 Written by [Kåre Johan Røinås](https://stories.campr.no/en/author/kåre-johan-røinås) | Nov 4, 2026, 2:51:50 PM

A first motorhome holiday with the family goes best when you plan the route together, drive short stages with plenty of breaks and pack smart with food, warm layers and a first aid kit. Talk about expectations before you leave and give each other time and patience on the road. Here are eight practical tips to make your first family motorhome trip in Norway run smoothly for children and adults alike.

Family road trips are full of fun, cosy evenings and togetherness. In theory. In practice, living close together around the clock can bring ups and downs, especially on your very first motorhome trip. Children get restless or carsick, and adults get tired after long days behind the wheel. A little preparation makes it much easier to balance everyone's needs.

## Quick overview

- **Best for:** Families on their first motorhome or campervan trip
- **Travel type:** Motorhome, campervan or caravan
- **Most important:** Good planning, short driving stages and plenty of breaks
- **Remember:** First aid kit, enough food and water, extra clothes and blankets
- **Tip:** Let the children help plan so everyone has something to look forward to

## 1. Do your research before you go

Where are you going, how far is it, are the roads open when you travel, where will you stop along the way, what do you need to pack, and what will you do when you arrive? These are some of the questions to think through before you set off. In Norway, some mountain passes close in winter and open in late spring, so check the road status with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (vegvesen.no) if your route crosses the mountains.

Some families love being spontaneous, and if that works for you, there is no need to change. If you prefer more structure, make a plan well in advance. Planning together is fun, and when everyone gets to suggest something, everyone feels more ownership of the trip.

Need route ideas? See our guide to [the best campervan routes in Norway](https://stories.campr.no/en/post/best-campervan-routes-in-norway?hsLang=en).

## 2. Talk before you leave

Clear communication and realistic expectations are worth their weight in gold, especially for the youngest travellers. Talk about how long everyone is comfortable driving at a time, what everyone is looking forward to most and whether anyone is worried about something. That makes it easier to deal with concerns before they grow, which often happens with young children facing something new.

## 3. Check the first aid kit before you drive

Every motorhome should have a good first aid kit. If you will spend a lot of time outdoors, bring sunscreen, plasters, wound cleanser, blister plasters, painkillers and something for travel sickness.

This matters even more if you will drive long distances and be far from the nearest emergency clinic. Think about where you are going and what you will be doing, and pack accordingly.

## 4. Comfortable passengers are happy passengers

To keep the mood good, everyone needs to be comfortable. In summer, check that the air conditioning works. In spring, autumn and winter, make sure the heating is in order. Norwegian weather can change quickly, even in summer.

Make sure everyone has enough clothes. Pack extra blankets and pillows, neck pillows, sleep masks and earplugs. If someone snores or sleeps restlessly, you notice it much more in a motorhome than at home, and tired passengers or drivers are no joke.

Remember that everyone must sit in a seat with a seatbelt while the motorhome is moving. Check how many belted seats the vehicle has and whether there is room for the child seats you need.

## 5. Take breaks – there is no rush in a motorhome

Allow plenty of time for proper breaks. Even in a comfortable motorhome, nobody enjoys sitting inside for too long. Breaks are perfect for play, meals and activity. Spend time together both inside and outside the vehicle and make memories along the way.

You have everything you need with you, so missing a ferry is not a disaster. Give each other time to enjoy the journey. Rushing means missing half the fun.

## 6. Stretch your legs more often than you think

Moving your body matters so much on a motorhome trip that it deserves its own tip. Sitting still for hours leads to stiff necks, headaches and low energy. Stop, jump around, breathe some fresh air and get the blood flowing.

If you can, use the breaks to switch drivers. Driving the whole trip alone is hard work, particularly on narrow Norwegian roads.

## 7. Keep enough food and drink on board

Food and drink can make or break a day. Pack plenty of water, fruit that keeps, simple snacks and a few favourites for everyone. Driving on an empty stomach is never a good idea. One advantage of a motorhome is the fridge and kitchen, so you can cook simple meals wherever you stop, which is also a real saving in Norway.

## 8. Be patient with each other

However well you plan, there may be an argument or two. The most important thing on your first trip is to keep expectations realistic. We think motorhome trips are among the best things there are, but if expectations are too high, tempers will fray. Give each other space, and do not take it personally if someone has a bad day. It soon passes when you are on a trip you planned together.

## How do you choose the right motorhome for a family?

Count how many belted seats and beds you need, and consider a fixed bed so you do not have to make up beds every night. Smaller vehicles are easier to drive and park on narrow roads, while larger ones give more space on rainy days. If you are unsure, ask the owner how the vehicle works for families with children.

Want to see how another family experienced Norway? Read the story of [the Italian family who toured Norway in a motorhome](https://stories.campr.no/en/post/italian-family-discover-norway-s-natural-beauty-in-a-motorhome?hsLang=en).

[View full post](https://stories.campr.no/en/post/first-family-motorhome-trip-tips)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Kåre Johan Røinås"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-11-04T15:17:12.755Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-11-04T14:51:50Z",
  "headline" : "First Family Motorhome Trip in Norway: 8 Tips",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 500,
    "url" : "https://149397094.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/149397094/Imported_Blog_Media/9a05c8_5dca39dc1c224cd9b8f7f7fbeab3fc38~mv2-1.jpg",
    "width" : 753
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://stories.campr.no/en/post/first-family-motorhome-trip-tips",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Stories"
  }
}
```