Lapland Summer Driving Routes
Below are a few suggested Lapland summer driving routes which will give you an idea of some of the itineraries you can follow that will let you see and experience numerous sites depending on how much time you have to travel and how far you'd like to go. Of course these are just suggestions and so routes can easily be modified to add other stops or likewise, could be traveled in both clockwise and counter-clockwise direction - either way works. Routes are based off starting in Rovaniemi where many visitors to Lapland arrive first, either by plane or driving from the south, and Lapland's capital city is a great place to gather supplies before heading out on a Lapland road trip expedition
Suggested Route 1
Rovaniemi - Inari - Nuorgam - Sevettijärvi - Saariselkä - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1095 km, Travel time: 14 hours and 15 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Inari, Utsjoki and Nuorgam, Skolt Sámi Heritage House in Sevettijärvi, Saariselkä / Ivalo
Suggested Route 2
Rovaniemi - Inari - Nuorgam - Sevettijärvi - Saariselkä - Salla - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1287 km, Travel time: 16 hours and 50 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Inari, Utsjoki and Nuorgam, Skolt Sámi Heritage House in Sevettijärvi, Saariselkä / Ivalo, Salla
Suggested Route 3
Rovaniemi - Inari - Utsjoki - Nordkapp - Kilpisjarvi - Äkäslompolo - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1846 km, Travel time: 24 hours and 33 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Saariselkä / Ivalo, Inari, Utsjoki and Nuorgam, Nordkapp, Kilpisjarvi, Ylläs and Äkäslompolo
Suggested Route 4
Rovaniemi - Inari - Nordkapp - Kilpisjarvi - Äkäslompolo - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1724 km, Travel time: 22 hours and 59 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Saariselkä / Ivalo, Inari, Nordkapp, Kilpisjarvi, Ylläs and Äkäslompolo
Suggested Route 5
Rovaniemi - Inari - Kilpisjarvi - Äkäslompolo - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1275 km, Travel time: 16 hours and 16 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Saariselkä / Ivalo, Inari, Kilpisjarvi, Enontekiö (Hetta), Muonio, Ylläs and Äkäslompolo
Suggested Route 6
Rovaniemi - Inari - Lemmenjoki National Park - Kilpisjarvi - Äkäslompolo - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1227 km, Travel time: 16 hours and 9 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Saariselkä / Ivalo, Inari, Lemmenjoki National Park, Kilpisjarvi, Muonio, Ylläs and Äkäslompolo
Suggested Route 7
Rovaniemi - Levi - Pallastunturi - Enontekiö (Hetta) - Äkäslompolo - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 645 km, Travel time: 8 hours and 25 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Levi, Enontekiö (Hetta), Muonio, Ylläs and Äkäslompolo
Suggested Route 8
Rovaniemi - Äkäslompolo - Enontekiö (Hetta) - Pallastunturi - Pyha-Luosto National Park - Salla - Kuusamo - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1047 km, Travel time: 14 hours and 5 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Ylläs and Äkäslompolo, Muonio, Enontekiö (Hetta), Levi, Pyhä-Luosto, Salla, Kuusamo, Posio.
Suggested Route 9
Rovaniemi - Äkäslompolo - Enontekiö (Hetta) - Levi - Inari - Pyha-Luosto National Park - Salla - Kuusamo - Rovaniemi
(Distance: 1356 km, Travel time: 18 hours and 7 min)
Attractions / Stops to consider:
Rovaniemi, Ylläs and Äkäslompolo, Muonio, Enontekiö (Hetta), Levi, Lemmenjoki National Park, Inari, Saariselkä / Ivalo, Pyhä-Luosto, Salla, Kuusamo, Posio.
Note: The routes above are merely suggestions and the distances and travel times have been calculated using online measurement tools. Travel times will always change depending on weather, traffic, road construction, and personal driving preferences, as well as extra time added for stops at attractions. Hence these suggestions should not be taken as exact calculations - there are merely examples. Additionally, some of the secondary (non-highway) roads in Lapland are not paved (for example parts of route 955 from Lemmenjoki National Park to Sirkka) and thus travel time will be affected by such. It is always beneficial to consult current road maps before setting off on a secondary road that you are not sure of the condition of.