Ring Road Iceland: Complete Driving Guide

Iceland’s Route 1 — the Ring Road — is a 1,322km circuit of the entire country. It connects Reykjavík through the South Coast, the East Fjords, North Iceland, and the West, returning to the capital. It’s one of the world’s great road trips: volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, glaciers, and remote coastline accessible by car, with the road passing through multiple distinct ecosystems.

Essential Driving Information

Mandatory winter tyres: Required by law from November 1 through April 15. Rental cars come with winter tyres fitted in this period. Check your rental terms.

Speed limits: 90km/h on paved rural roads (including most of the Ring Road), 80km/h on gravel, 50km/h in towns. Iceland has speed cameras and fines are substantial.

Gravel roads (F-roads): Marked with ‘F’ prefix. Not accessible by standard rental cars — you’ll void your insurance. Always check road.is before detouring.

Single-lane bridges: Numerous on the Ring Road — slow down, check for oncoming traffic, yield if necessary.

Sheep: Open-range sheep wander onto the road, particularly in summer. Slow down in rural areas.

Fuel: Fill up whenever you have a chance in remote areas. Petrol stations can be 100+ km apart in parts of the East Fjords and North Iceland.

The Route: Clockwise from Reykjavík

Most drivers go clockwise — South Coast first. This is the most popular direction and means the most dramatic sights come early.

Reykjavík → Vík (187km, approximately 2.5 hours)

Key stops:

• Seljalandsfoss (approximately 120km from Reykjavík) — waterfall you can walk behind. ISK 900 entry for the behind-the-falls path as of 2026.
• Skógafoss (approximately 150km) — 60m waterfall, free, staircase alongside
• Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck (approximately 167km) — 4km walk from the car park. Free.
• Reynisfjara Beach (near Vík) — black sand, sneaker wave danger. Stay 30m from water.

Vík → Höfn (195km, approximately 2.5 hours)

Key stops:

• Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park) — glacier walks, Svartifoss waterfall
• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon — zodiac tours ISK 9,900; free to walk the shore
• Diamond Beach — icebergs washed onto black sand, immediately beside Jökulsárlón

Höfn → Egilsstaðir (270km, approximately 3.5–4 hours)

The East Fjords section — 270km of winding coastal road through a dozen separate fjords.

Key stops:

• Djúpivogur — harbour village, Eggs of Merry Bay sculpture
• Stöðvarfjörður — Petra’s stone collection
• Fáskrúðsfjörður — French fishing history, bilingual street signs

Egilsstaðir → Akureyri (265km, approximately 3 hours)

North Iceland begins. Fewer dramatic waterfalls, more spacious Highland scenery.

Key stops:

• Dettifoss (detour, approximately 90km from Egilsstaðir) — Europe’s most powerful waterfall
• Mývatn (100km west of Egilsstaðir) — full day needed (see separate Mývatn guide)

Akureyri → Reykjavík (390km, approximately 5 hours direct)

Key stops:

• Goðafoss (47km southeast of Akureyri) — free, 45 minutes, roadside stop
• Varmahlíð and Skagafjörður — horse country, optional detour
• Borgarnes — Settlement Centre museum (2 hours)
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula — major detour off the Ring Road, full day (see separate guide)

Estimated Times by Section

Section	Distance	Direct Drive	Recommended Time
Reykjavík → Vík	187km	2.5 hrs	Full day
Vík → Höfn	195km	2.5 hrs	Full day
Höfn → Egilsstaðir	270km	3.5 hrs	Full day
Egilsstaðir → Akureyri	265km	3 hrs	1–2 days
Akureyri → Reykjavík	390km	5 hrs	1–2 days

Total for full circuit with stops: 7–10 days minimum.

Car Rental Practical Notes

• Book rental cars well in advance for summer (prices increase dramatically July–August)
• Mandatory gravel protection (SAAP) insurance approximately ISK 2,000–5,000/day if you drive on gravel
• Collision damage waiver (CDW) is included in most basic rates but check deductible amounts
• Major operators: Hertz, Avis, Budget (airport desks), and Icelandic companies (Geysir, Blue Car, Saga)
• Credit card hold of approximately ISK 50,000–150,000 required at pickup