riksvei

Riksvei is the Norwegian term for a national road in Norway’s public road system. Historically, riksvei formed the backbone of the state’s road network, serving as main corridors that connected major cities, regions, and international routes. The designation indicates a road of national importance, intended to carry substantial long-distance and freight traffic, and to link key urban centers and regional hubs.

Signage and classification: Riksvei routes are typically marked with road signs showing a prefix of Rv (short for riksvei) and a numeric designation. Signs are blue with white numerals, and maps and official documents commonly refer to riksvei as part of the national network. The roads vary widely in size and capacity, from two-lane arterials to multi-lane roads, and they are not the same as motorways (motorvei) which have separate standards and access controls.

Administration and reforms: Riksvei are maintained by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen). Over time, administrative reforms have altered responsibilities for prioritizing and funding roads. During structural reforms in the late 2000s and early 2010s, many primary roads saw shifts in responsibility and classification, with some roads reclassified as fylkesvei (county roads) under regional governance. Nevertheless, the term riksvei remains in use for certain national corridors and in official references and maps.

See also: Fylkesvei, Statens vegvesen, motorvei, road classification.