Road Trip from Stockholm: Day Trips, Weekend Loops and 3 to 5 Day Routes

Planning a road trip from Stockholm is easier than it looks. With good roads, clear signage and plenty of cozy towns within a short drive, you can squeeze a real Swedish adventure into a single day, a weekend or a 5-day loop. In this guide, you will find time-boxed itineraries within about two hours of driving, plus a few longer routes that start and end in Stockholm.

Best 2-Hour Road Trips From Stockholm (By Theme)

These ideas are for a classic day trip from Stockholm. Think one to two hours of driving each way, several stops, and back in the city by evening. It works whether you rent a vehicle for a weekend trip by car from Stockholm or pick up a rental campervan and turn it into a mini holiday on wheels.

Castles and Lake Views

Route overview: Stockholm center → Route 275 toward Brommaplan → Drottningholm Palace

Drive time one way: About 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic

Key stops:

• Drottningholm Palace – Royal residence and UNESCO listed palace with formal gardens and a lakefront setting.
• Chinese Pavilion (Kina Slott) – Playful 18th century pavilion a short walk from the main palace.
• Lakeside lawns and walking paths – Easy stroller friendly paths for kids to run around or for a relaxed picnic.

Parking and Fees

There is signed visitor parking right by Drottningholm Palace and the palace theatre. Expect an hourly fee in the main lot, and be ready to pay by card or app.

Eat and Sleep

• Eat: Palace café for lunch or cake, or bring your own picnic.
• Sleep: Turn this into a mellow first night of a road trip from Stockholm by staying at a campsite or cabin west of town, then continue on the E18 or E20 the next morning.

Storybook Streets

Route overview: Stockholm → E4 north → Sigtuna exit → E4 north again → Uppsala → back to Stockholm

Drive time one way: About 45 to 60 minutes to Uppsala, a bit less to Sigtuna

Key stops:

• Sigtuna main street and lakeside boardwalk – Sweden’s first town with wooden houses, runestones and a calm lakeshore.
• Ruined churches in Sigtuna – Short, atmospheric walks that work even with tired kids.
• Uppsala Cathedral – The largest church in Scandinavia and a clear landmark on the skyline.
• Botanical Garden or city park in Uppsala – Green space for a walk and playground time.

Parking and Fees

In Sigtuna you can park near the lakeshore or in small lots around town, usually with time limits and small hourly fees after the first free period.

Uppsala has several public garages near the center. EasyPark and similar apps make payment simple.

Seasonal and Kid-Friendly Tips

• Sigtuna is ideal in spring and summer when lakeside cafés and ice cream stands are open.
• Uppsala works year round. In winter you can warm up with fika between short walks.
• With children, keep Sigtuna as a slow morning stop, then use Uppsala for lunch and a park.

Eat and Sleep

• Eat: Lakeside cafés in Sigtuna, then a casual lunch in Uppsala.
• Sleep: Turn this route into a relaxed weekend trip by campervan from Stockholm by staying in Uppsala overnight and driving back the next morning.

Lake Town and Fortress

Route overview: Stockholm → E4 south to Södertälje → E20 west toward Strängnäs → exit 139 for Mariefred and Gripsholm Castle

Drive time one way: Around 1 hour in normal traffic 

Key stops:

• Mariefred old town – Cobblestone streets, colorful houses and small shops right by Lake Mälaren.
• Gripsholm Castle – Renaissance castle on its own peninsula with classic red towers and lake views.
• Lakeside path – Short walks with views back toward the castle, perfect for photos.

Parking and Fees

Gripsholm Castle has dedicated visitor parking and it is currently free to use for castle visitors.

Seasonal and Kid-Friendly Tips

• Summer brings steamboats and more café options.
• In shoulder seasons, you still get nice views, but check castle opening hours if you want to go inside.
• Children often enjoy the castle exterior and grounds more than long guided tours, so keep the schedule flexible.

Eat and Sleep

• Eat: Cafés in Mariefred’s main street and simple lunch spots by the harbor.
• Sleep: Make this a gentle first night for a campervan trip, such as Mariefreds Camping (Mariefred) or Löt Camping (Strängnäs).

Coast and Archipelago Bridges

Route overview: Stockholm → E4 south → exit for Vagnhärad and Trosa → continue on smaller coastal roads toward Stendörren → back via E4

Drive time one way: About 1 hour to Trosa, another 30 to 40 minutes to Stendörren

Key stops:

• Trosa harbor and old town – Picturesque seaside town with wooden houses and a canal that runs through the center.
• Harbor promenade – Easy flat walk, stroller friendly.
• Stendörren Nature Reserve – Archipelago landscape where footbridges link islands, with marked trails and viewpoints.

Parking and Fees

Trosa has public parking lots at the edge of the old town, free or low cost depending on the season.

Stendörren offers two main parking areas near the reserve entrances, with walking trails starting right from the lots.

Seasonal and Kid-Friendly Tips

• This is one of the classic excursions 2 hours from Stockholm in summer. Plan to arrive early on sunny weekends.
• In warm weather, bring swim gear for quick dips off the rocks.
• For kids, the chain of suspension bridges at Stendörren is a highlight, but keep an eye on younger children near the water.

Eat and Sleep

• Eat: Lunch or fika in Trosa before continuing to Stendörren with snacks and water.
• Sleep: Use Trosa as a base for a weekend road trip from Stockholm, staying in a guesthouse or on a nearby campsite like Trosa Havsbad & Camping or the motorhome pitches at Trosa Gästhamn.

Forest and Fire Scars

Route overview: Stockholm → Route 73 south toward Nynäshamn → follow signs for Tyresö and Tyresta By (main park entrance)

Drive time one way: Roughly 40 minutes from central Stockholm, depending on traffic.

Key stops:

• Tyresta By entrance area – Traditional village, visitor center and short family trails.
• Stroller friendly forest paths – Short loops that give a taste of old growth forest.
• Lakes deeper inside the park – For slightly longer hikes with picnic spots and swimming in summer.

Parking and Fees

Entrance to Tyresta National Park is free, but the main parking lot charges a small fee, often paid by app. Visitors frequently recommend using EasyPark to pay for parking here.

Seasonal and Kid-Friendly Tips

• Summer offers long hiking days and lake swims.
• Autumn is great for mushrooms and fall colors.
• Winter can be beautiful but brings ice and snow, so choose shorter, marked trails and pack microspikes if paths are icy.

Eat and Sleep

• Eat: Small café at Tyresta By when open or bring your own food.
• Sleep: On a campervan road trip from Stockholm you can combine Tyresta with an overnight at a campsite closer to the coast or head back into the city the same day.
  

Weekend Loops From Stockholm (1 to 3 Days)

These routes stretch into one, two or three nights. They are ideal if you want a weekend trip by campervan from Stockholm that feels bigger than a simple day out, but still keeps drive times manageable and loops back to the capital without one way drop off fees. 

Mälaren Castle Circuit: Mariefred, Strängnäs and Västerås

Route overview:

• Day 1: Stockholm → E20 toward Strängnäs → Mariefred and Gripsholm Castle
• Day 2: Mariefred → Strängnäs → Västerås on E20 and E18 → back to Stockholm on E18

Drive times:

• Stockholm to Mariefred: about 1 hour
• Mariefred to Västerås via Strängnäs: roughly 1.5 hours, depending on how often you stop
• Västerås back to Stockholm: around 1.5 hours

You can easily leave Stockholm after breakfast, reach Mariefred before lunch and still have the whole afternoon for the castle and lakefront. On day two, the stretches between towns are short enough that you never spend too long in the campervan.

If you have a bit more time, you can add a seasonal boat trip from Västerås out onto Lake Mälaren. Some routes pass islands and link toward Ängsö National Park, which you visit on foot after a short ferry ride.

Parking and Where to Sleep

All three towns offer public parking lots and garages, often payable with apps like EasyPark. That keeps things simple if you are picking up a campervan.

• Hotels and guesthouses work well in the centers of Mariefred and Västerås.
• With a campervan or motorhome, look for lakeside campsites near Mariefred or around Västerås, many with basic facilities and swimming spots.

When to Go

This loop works best from late spring through autumn. Summer brings longer days, open cafés and busy harbors. In autumn you get quieter streets and colorful trees around the lake. In winter you can still do the route, but it becomes more about cozy town walks and indoor attractions, with driving kept to daylight hours only.

Coastal Södermanland: Trosa, Nyköping and Stendörren

Route overview:

• Day 1: Stockholm → E4 to Trosa → explore town and stay overnight
• Day 2: Trosa → Nyköping for town and harbor → continue to Stendörren Nature Reserve → overnight near Nyköping or drive back toward Stockholm

Drive times:

• Stockholm to Trosa: about 1 hour
• Trosa to Nyköping: around 40 minutes
• Nyköping to Stendörren: about 30 to 40 minutes on smaller coastal roads

The distances are short, so you spend most of your time out of the campervan. You can arrive in Trosa with enough time for a canal walk and dinner, then keep day two flexible around the weather.

Parking and Where to Sleep

Parking is straightforward in both towns, with large public areas near the center, and marked lots at Stendörren right by the trailheads.

• Sleep in a guesthouse or hotel in Trosa or Nyköping if you want easy restaurant access.
• With a campervan or motorhome, look for camping areas or motorhome parking along the coast near Nyköping or between town and Stendörren.

When to Go

Late spring to early autumn is ideal for this loop, especially if you want to swim or eat outside.

• Summer weekends can be busy, so arriving early at Stendörren helps with parking.
• On windy days the reserve feels wild and dramatic, which older kids often love, but it can be chilly for younger ones, so pack layers and a thermos.

Heritage and Coastline: Uppsala, Sigtuna and Roslagen

Route overview:

• Day 1: Stockholm → E4 to Uppsala → explore city and stay overnight
• Day 2: Uppsala → Sigtuna via E4 and smaller roads → continue toward the Roslagen coast (for example Öregrund or another harbor town) → stay overnight
• Day 3: Morning by the coast, then an easy drive back to Stockholm

Drive times:

• Stockholm to Uppsala: about 50 minutes to 1 hour
• Uppsala to Sigtuna: roughly 30 minutes on smaller roads
• Sigtuna to the Roslagen coast: usually 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the town you pick

The idea is to keep each hop short so you can actually enjoy the places instead of ticking off distances.

Parking and Where to Sleep

Uppsala and Sigtuna both offer plenty of public parking, including options with a few free hours followed by hourly fees, so they work well for slow wandering.

• Stay in a central hotel in Uppsala on night one to enjoy the evening atmosphere, like Clarion Hotel Gillet or Grand Hotell Hörnan.
• On night two, pick a Roslagen guesthouse or campsite with parking included, depending on whether you travel by campervan.

When to Go

This loop works almost year-round.

• In summer, you get beaches and long evenings on the coast.
• In spring and autumn, the towns are quieter and better for sightseeing.
• For families, keep day two fairly light, with a generous fika break in Sigtuna before driving out to the coast so kids do not feel rushed.

Extended Routes From Stockholm (3 to 5 Days)

If you have more time, you can use Stockholm as your start and finish point for a 3 to 5 day road trip that dives into Sweden’s industrial past, lakes and countryside. These routes are longer than the typical excursions 2 hours from Stockholm, but each driving day still stays in the comfortable two to three hour range.

Practical Driving Tips for a Road Trip From Stockholm

Every successful road trip from Stockholm comes down to a few practical details. These quick tips will keep your weekend trip by camper from Stockholm smooth and stress-free.

Congestion Tax and Low Emission Rules

Stockholm has a congestion tax zone that charges vehicles entering and leaving certain central areas at specific times. The tax applies to most Swedish and foreign-registered vehicles. 

For anyone driving a campervan or motorhome, keep in mind that the congestion tax also covers larger vehicles like these. Each time you pass a toll point during the hours when charges apply, a fee is added. If you plan your route and timing in advance, you can keep those extra costs down.

Parking Rules and Apps

Parking rules in Sweden rely a lot on signs. Terms like ‘boendeparkering’ are for residents, while ‘besöksparkering’ refers to visitor parking tied to a specific address. Always read the lower sign for time limits and fees.

In Stockholm and many nearby towns, the EasyPark app is widely used for on-street and lot parking. It lets you start, stop and extend sessions by phone, and now even offers a browser-based version for Stockholm city parking.

General Road Tips

• Major roads such as E4, E18 and E20 are well maintained and clearly signed.
• Speeds drop near villages and camera enforcement is common, so stay within limits.
• In winter, rental campervans normally come with appropriate tires, but plan shorter days and build in weather flexibility.

FAQ About Planning a Road Trip From Stockholm

What is the best season for a road trip from Stockholm?

From late spring to early autumn, you get longer days, open attractions, and easier driving. In winter it is still possible, but you need to plan around daylight, ice and shorter, town-focused stops.

Do I need to worry about congestion or ULEZ style zones?

Stockholm has a congestion tax instead of a classic ULEZ. You pay when you pass certain toll points, so it helps to avoid driving into the inner city more than necessary and use public transport for downtown visits.

Are there any ferry or bridge quirks on these routes?

Most routes stay on normal roads, with a few small bridges that are free to cross. Some optional detours, like Ängsö National Park, use archipelago ferries where you park the car and continue on foot.

Is a campervan practical for these routes?

Yes. Sweden is very camper and motorhome friendly, with many campsites by lakes and along the coast. Short day trips combined with weekend loops keep driving legs manageable, especially with kids.