Arctic Driving Guide
Driving in Lapland is a meditative experience through vast landscapes, but it requires shifting your mindset between the extreme conditions of summer and winter.
Mandatory Equipment
Regulations change with the seasons. Depending on when you visit, your vehicle will be equipped with:
- Winter Season: Studded Tires (Nastarenkaat) are the gold standard for ice grip. You'll also have an engine heater cable and snow brush.
- Summer Season: Standard summer tires. Note that studded tires are actually illegal in many areas during peak summer to protect the roads.
- Year-Round: A high-visibility reflective vest must be carried in the cabin, not the trunk.
Winter Protocol: Block Heaters
electric_car When to Plug In?
Pro Tip: Most parking posts have a timer. Set the timer to finish at your departure time, not start instantly.
If you experience a breakdown, follow our Vehicle Breakdown Protocol and check realistic route times with the Distance Reality Calculator before setting out.
Wildlife Hazards
Reindeer are active year-round and have no fear of vehicles. In fact, they often prefer the road to the forest:
- Winter: They lick road salt for minerals. They are hard to see against the dark asphalt.
- Summer: They stand on the road to catch the breeze and avoid biting insects in the woods.
If you see one, slow down immediately. Where there is one, there are usually five more hiding in the tree line.
Summer: The Midnight Sun
During June and July, the sun does not set. While this provides great visibility, it often leads to driver fatigue. Tourists frequently forget to sleep, leading to microsleeps on long, straight roads. Stick to a schedule even if it's light out.