Route 1 — the Ring Road — circles the entire island of Iceland in 1,332 kilometres. It passes through every dramatic landscape the country has to offer: glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, fishing villages, black sand beaches, and some of the most remote and beautiful terrain in Europe. This is how to drive it properly.
The Greatest Road Trip in Europe
There are great road trips on every continent. The Ring Road of Iceland is something rarer: a single route that encircles an entire country and delivers, without detour, nearly everything that country has to offer. You do not need to plan complicated side routes or choose between regions. You simply drive in one direction — clockwise or counter-clockwise, it does not matter — and Iceland unfolds in front of you.
Route 1, as it is officially known, was completed in 1974 and is today Iceland’s only road that connects every region of the country. It is fully paved, clearly signed, and passable in a standard car for most of the year. It also happens to be one of the most visually extraordinary drives in the world.
At Ice Paradise Tours, the Ring Road is the backbone of many of our best itineraries. We know every stretch of it intimately — the famous stops and the hidden ones, the best places to eat and sleep, the detours that are always worth taking, and the sections that require extra time and attention. This guide puts everything we know into one place.
The Basics — What You Need to Know First
Total distance: 1,332 kilometres around the full circuit
Minimum driving time: Approximately 15 to 17 hours of pure driving — spread across your trip
Recommended minimum trip length: 7 days — though 10 to 14 days allows a much richer experience
Starting point: Reykjavík — most visitors begin and end here
Direction: Clockwise (south coast first) or counter-clockwise — both work well
Vehicle required: Standard 2WD for summer; 4WD recommended for autumn and winter
Open year-round: Yes, though winter conditions require preparation and flexibility
F-roads: Highland interior roads require a 4WD and are only open June to September — they are not part of Route 1 itself
How Long Do You Need?
This is the question we are asked most often about the Ring Road, and the honest answer is: longer than you think.
7 Days — The Minimum
Seven days is achievable but demanding. You will need to cover roughly 190 kilometres per day on average, which is not much driving — but Iceland’s roads reward stopping, not covering distance. On a 7-day Ring Road trip, you will see the major highlights but have limited time to linger. It suits travellers who have visited Iceland before and know what they want to prioritise.
10 Days — The Sweet Spot
Ten days is the minimum we recommend for a first Ring Road trip. You will have enough time to stop at the major sights, take at least a few meaningful detours, spend a full day on the Diamond Circle in the north, and not feel permanently rushed. Most guests who complete the Ring Road in 10 days say they wish they had taken 12.
14 Days — The Ideal
Two weeks gives you time to do the Ring Road properly — with full days at the glacier lagoon, time to hike in Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, a detour into the Westfjords or the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and enough flexibility to follow unexpected discoveries and wait out bad weather. Two weeks in Iceland never feels long enough. But it is enough to leave knowing you have truly seen the country.
The Route — Region by Region
We recommend driving clockwise — south coast first — for first-time visitors. This puts the most dramatic and densely packed scenery at the beginning of your trip when your energy and excitement are highest, and gives you the quieter, wider landscapes of the north and east as the journey deepens.
Reykjavík — The Starting Point
Most Ring Road trips begin in Reykjavík, where the international airport is located and where car hire companies are concentrated. Allow at least one full day in the capital before you leave — to pick up supplies, orientate yourself, and explore a city that is genuinely worth your time. The old harbour, the Hallgrímskirkja church, the Saga Museum, and the food scene in the 101 district all deserve several hours each. The Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss — makes an excellent first day trip from the city before you properly begin the circuit.
The South Coast — Days 2 to 4
The South Coast is the most visited stretch of the Ring Road and the most densely packed with famous sights. Allow at least two full days — three if you can — for the drive from Reykjavík to Höfn in the south-east. The waterfalls come first: Seljalandsfoss (walk behind it), Gljúfrabúi (squeeze through the gorge to find it), and Skógafoss (climb the 527 steps for the view). Then the black sand beaches: Reynisfjara with its basalt columns and sea stacks, and the Dyrhólaey promontory above.
East of Vík, the landscape opens up onto the vast black lava plains of the south-east, with the white wall of Vatnajökull glacier filling the horizon. Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park offers glacier walks, ice climbing, and the hike to Svartifoss waterfall. Then Jökulsárlón — the glacier lagoon filled with icebergs — and Diamond Beach directly across the road. These two stops alone justify the entire South Coast drive.
East Iceland — Days 4 to 6
East Iceland is the forgotten side of the Ring Road — and one of the most beautiful. After the drama of the South Coast, the east offers something different: quiet fjords, fishing villages, birch forests turning amber in autumn, and a pace of life that feels further from the tourist trail than almost anywhere else in Iceland. The Eastfjords — a series of deep fjords cutting into the coastline — require slow, winding driving that rewards patience. Seyðisfjörður, at the end of one of the most dramatic fjord roads in Iceland, is a small artists’ town of coloured houses and a remarkable sound sculpture on the hillside above.
Wild reindeer roam the highland areas of the east and are sometimes seen from the road. Petra’s stone collection in Stöðvarfjörður — a private garden of extraordinary mineral specimens — is one of the most unexpectedly wonderful stops on the entire Ring Road. Do not rush the east. It is the region that most rewards those who slow down.
North Iceland — Days 6 to 9
North Iceland is where the Ring Road delivers its second great concentration of extraordinary sights — and where many visitors feel they have truly left the familiar behind. Mývatn is the centrepiece: a geothermal lake surrounded by lava castles, mud pools, volcanic craters, and some of the richest birdlife in Iceland. Allow a full day here at minimum.
The Diamond Circle — the 250-kilometre loop taking in Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, Húsavík (Europe’s whale watching capital), the Tjörnes Peninsula, and the canyon system of Jökulsárgljúfur with Dettifoss waterfall and Ásbyrgi canyon — deserves a full day and ideally two. This is North Iceland at its most spectacular and most varied. Akureyri, Iceland’s second city, is the natural base for the north and a genuinely enjoyable place to spend a night or two.
West Iceland — Days 9 to 11
The Ring Road’s western stretch passes through the Húnafjörður area and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula — both easy detours that significantly enrich the journey. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often called Iceland in miniature: glaciers, lava fields, fishing villages, black sand beaches, sea stacks, and the Snæfellsjökull volcano (Jules Verne’s gateway to the centre of the earth) compressed into a single elongated landmass. It deserves a full day.
West Iceland is also home to the Settlement Center in Borgarnes — essential for anyone interested in the Icelandic Sagas — and the Langjökull glacier, where year-round ice tunnel tours bring you inside Europe’s second-largest glacier. The Hraunfossar waterfalls, where spring water seeps from a lava field along a 900-metre stretch of riverbank, is one of Iceland’s most quietly astonishing sights and one of the most undervisited.
Back to Reykjavík — Days 11 to 14
The final stretch of the Ring Road returns through the Reykjanes Peninsula — the volcanic ridge that connects Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport and contains the Blue Lagoon. Allow time for a final soak in geothermal waters before your flight home. It is the perfect way to end a Ring Road trip: warm, buoyant, and slightly unwilling to leave.
The Best Detours — Where to Leave the Ring Road
The Ring Road is the spine of any Iceland trip — but the most memorable moments often happen when you leave it. These are the detours we recommend most consistently:
The Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss — the classic circuit from Reykjavík. Best done as a first or last day trip rather than a rushed stop on the Ring Road itself.
The Diamond Circle: North Iceland’s equivalent of the Golden Circle — 250 km taking in Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Húsavík, Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, and the Tjörnes Peninsula. Deserves two full days.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Iceland in miniature. A full day loop from the Ring Road through one of the country’s most varied and beautiful peninsulas.
Seyðisfjörður: A 27-kilometre detour from Egilsstaðir into the most beautiful fjord in East Iceland. Home to a remarkable artists’ community, a stunning sound sculpture, and coloured wooden houses.
The Westfjords: A major detour requiring at least two extra days — but the most dramatically wild and remote region in Iceland. The Látrabjarg cliffs, Dynjandi waterfall, and the Hornstrandir hiking reserve are unlike anything else in the country.
Landmannalaugar: The highland geothermal reserve with its colourful rhyolite mountains and natural hot springs. Accessible from the south coast via F-roads in summer — requires a 4WD.
When to Drive the Ring Road
Summer (June to August) — The Classic Season
Summer is the most popular time for the Ring Road and for good reason. All roads are open, all attractions are accessible, the weather is at its most reliably mild, and the midnight sun gives you effectively unlimited daylight. The trade-off is crowds at the most popular stops and higher prices for accommodation. Book well in advance — particularly on the South Coast.
Autumn (September to October) — The Underrated Season
September and October are our personal favourites for the Ring Road. The summer crowds have gone, prices drop, the birch forests of the east and north turn gold and amber, the Northern Lights begin to appear, and the September sheep roundups add a cultural dimension to the journey that summer lacks. The weather is changeable but often spectacular. Roads are still fully open. Highly recommended.
Winter (November to March) — For the Experienced Traveller
The Ring Road is open year-round but winter driving in Iceland requires experience, preparation, and flexibility. Snow and ice are common, road closures happen, and short daylight hours limit what you can see in a single day. The rewards are significant: natural ice caves are open, the Northern Lights are at their most active, the landscapes under snow are extraordinary, and prices are at their lowest. A 4WD is essential. Check road.is every morning before driving.
Spring (April to May) — The Hidden Season
Spring is Iceland’s least visited season and one of its most rewarding. Snow is still on the highland peaks, rivers run full with meltwater, puffins begin arriving in May, and the Ring Road is largely quiet. Prices are reasonable, accommodation is easy to book, and the sense of a landscape waking up after winter is genuinely beautiful. Some highland roads and F-roads remain closed until June — check conditions before planning interior detours.
Driving the Ring Road — Essential Tips
Check road conditions daily: Road.is is the Icelandic Road Administration’s live road condition website. Check it every morning before driving. Road closures, ice warnings, and wind alerts are updated in real time and can significantly affect your day’s plans.
Do not underestimate distances: Iceland looks small on a map. It is not small on the ground. Factor in stops, detours, slow roads through fjords, and the simple reality that you will stop more often than you plan — because the scenery demands it.
Never drive off-road: Driving off marked roads in Iceland is illegal and causes serious damage to the fragile moss and lava terrain. Iceland’s landscape takes centuries to recover from tyre tracks. Stay on designated roads and car parks at all times.
Petrol stations are sparse in the east: Between Höfn and Egilsstaðir there are very limited fuel options. Fill up whenever you see a petrol station in the east and north, not just when your tank is low.
Wind is the hidden danger: Iceland’s wind can be genuinely dangerous to vehicles, particularly on exposed highland stretches and in the north and east. Strong gusts can push a car off the road or damage doors flung open carelessly. Check wind forecasts at vedur.is.
Respect single-lane bridges: The Ring Road crosses many rivers on single-lane bridges. Slow down, check for oncoming traffic, and yield appropriately. Do not rush on these crossings.
Animals on the road: Sheep, horses, and reindeer (in the east) roam freely in Iceland and regularly wander onto the road, particularly in summer and autumn. Drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely when you see animals near the road.
Car hire insurance: The standard insurance included with Icelandic car hire does not cover damage from gravel (very common on secondary roads), river crossings, or sand and ash storms. Consider upgrading your cover, particularly for summer driving on unpaved tracks.
Where to Stay Along the Ring Road
Accommodation along the Ring Road ranges from international hotel chains in Reykjavík and Akureyri to family-run guesthouses, remote farmhouses, and well-equipped campsites. The variety is one of the great pleasures of the trip.
Guesthouses and farmhouses: The backbone of Ring Road accommodation. Family-run guesthouses offer clean rooms, home-cooked breakfasts, and local knowledge that no hotel can match. Many include dinner on request. Book in advance in summer — the best places fill months ahead.
Camping: Iceland has a well-developed network of campsites along the Ring Road, open from May to September. Camping is one of the finest ways to experience the midnight sun and allows maximum flexibility. The Tjaldsvæði camping card covers multiple campsites and offers good value for longer trips.
Cottages and cabins: Scattered along the Ring Road, self-contained cottages and cabins offer a level of comfort and privacy that guesthouses cannot. Ideal for couples and families. Book well in advance for summer.
Hotels in key towns: Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Höfn, and Selfoss all have reliable hotel options that work well as base camps for multi-night stays in each region.
A Sample 10-Day Ring Road Itinerary
This is a suggested framework — not a rigid schedule. Iceland rewards flexibility above all else.
Day 1: Arrive Reykjavík. Explore the capital. Hallgrímskirkja, old harbour, dinner in the 101 district.
Day 2: Golden Circle day trip: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall. Return to Reykjavík.
Day 3: South Coast drive: Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach, Dyrhólaey. Overnight near Vík.
Day 4: Continue east: Skaftafell glacier walk, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach. Overnight in Höfn.
Day 5: Höfn to Egilsstaðir through the Eastfjords. Slow drive, stop in Djúpivogur (granite eggs), explore Stöðvarfjörður. Overnight Egilsstaðir.
Day 6: Seyðisfjörður detour in the morning. Afternoon drive north toward Mývatn. Overnight at Lake Mývatn.
Day 7: Full day at Lake Mývatn: Hverir mud pools, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá cave, Mývatn Nature Baths. Overnight Mývatn.
Day 8: Diamond Circle: Goðafoss waterfall, Húsavík whale watching, Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi. Overnight Akureyri.
Day 9: Akureyri exploration. Afternoon drive west along the Hvammstangi Peninsula. Overnight near Borgarnes.
Day 10: Snæfellsnes Peninsula loop or Settlement Center in Borgarnes. Return to Reykjavík. Blue Lagoon on the way if time allows.
The Road That Changes How You See the World
The Ring Road is not a bucket list item to tick off. It is an experience that reorganises your sense of what a landscape can be, what a country can contain, and what a road trip is actually for. Guests who complete it rarely describe it as a holiday. They describe it as something that happened to them.
There will be a moment — probably somewhere on the South Coast as the glacier fills the horizon, or on a deserted North Iceland road at midnight in June when the sun is still above the hills — where you understand exactly why Iceland is different from everywhere else you have ever been.
At Iceland Paradise Tours, planning Ring Road trips is one of our greatest pleasures. Whether you want a fully guided experience, a self-drive itinerary with accommodation pre-booked, or simply expert advice on where to go and what not to miss — we are here to help you do it properly.