Iceland Ring Road

Route 1 circles Iceland for about 1,322 km, linking the south coast waterfalls, glacier lagoons, the eastern fjords and the geothermal area around Mývatn.

Route 1 is Iceland’s only main ring road. The whole route was completed in 1974 when the Skeiðarársandur Bridge opened. It is about 1,322 km long. Most of it is two-lane asphalt, though a few gravel sections remain in the eastern fjords, and there are many single-lane bridges. The classic route runs counterclockwise from Reykjavík. First, it takes a detour through the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss). Then it follows the south coast past Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, the Vík black sand beach and Fjaðrárgljúfur to Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach. Next, it follows the eastern fjords north to Egilsstaðir, crosses the barren highlands to the Mývatn geothermal area, and continues past Goðafoss and Akureyri. Finally, it runs through the west via Borgarnes back to the capital. Driving only the main loop takes at least 7 days. With side trips such as the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Dettifoss, plan 10–14 days.

Summer has the longest days and the best road conditions. In winter, you can see the Northern Lights, but you must rent a four-wheel-drive car with studded tires. Strong winds and heavy snow can cause temporary road closures. Gas stations and supermarkets are far apart between towns, so in the east and north, refuel when your tank is half full. In peak summer, accommodation around Vík and the glacier lagoon needs to be booked months in advance. Driving off Route 1 onto F-roads requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and those roads are open only in summer.

Iceland Ring Road

Along the route