The Ring Road – Route 1
The Ring Road, Route 1, circles the country and connects most of its regions. It is about 1,320 km long, and a trip around Iceland is a dream journey for many Icelanders and visitors alike. Along the way you drive across black sands, lava fields, mountain passes, fjords and green valleys.
History of the Ring Road
For a long time it was impossible to drive all the way around Iceland, because the glacial rivers on Skeiðarársandur – Skeiðará, Gígja and Núpsvötn – had no bridges. Bridging them closed the ring, and the road was officially opened on 14 July 1974, the 1,100th anniversary of the settlement of Iceland. The Skeiðará bridge, about 880 metres long, was the longest bridge in the country. In the glacial flood of 1996 the bridges were damaged and the road was cut. A new bridge over the Morsá river replaced the old Skeiðará bridge in 2017.
A ten-day itinerary
| Day | Route | Main sights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reykjavík – Hella | The Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss |
| 2 | Hella – Vík | Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara |
| 3 | Vík – Skaftafell | Eldhraun, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Kirkjubæjarklaustur |
| 4 | Skaftafell – Höfn | Svartifoss, Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach |
| 5 | Höfn – Egilsstaðir | The Eastfjords, Djúpivogur, Stöðvarfjörður |
| 6 | Egilsstaðir – Mývatn | Stuðlagil, Dettifoss, Möðrudalsöræfi |
| 7 | Mývatn area | Dimmuborgir, Hverfjall, Námaskarð, Nature Baths |
| 8 | Mývatn – Akureyri | Goðafoss, Húsavík (whale watching) |
| 9 | Akureyri – Borgarnes | Glaumbær, Hvítserkur, Hraunfossar |
| 10 | Borgarnes – Reykjavík | Snæfellsnes (if there is time) or Hvalfjörður |
This itinerary runs anticlockwise (south first). Many prefer to drive clockwise, and both directions have their advantages.
Things to keep in mind
- Time: You can drive the Ring Road in four to five days, but that leaves little time for sightseeing. At least seven to ten days is recommended.
- Fuel: In East and North Iceland there can be long distances between petrol stations. Fill up whenever you get the chance.
- Single-lane bridges: There are still single-lane bridges on the Ring Road, especially in Southeast Iceland.
- Winter driving: In winter, mountain passes such as Möðrudalsöræfi, Öxnadalsheiði and Holtavörðuheiði may close in storms. Use a car with winter tyres and keep an eye on road conditions.
- Speed cameras: There are speed cameras in many places, and fines are high.
Tunnels and road improvements
In recent decades tunnels have shortened the Ring Road considerably. The Hvalfjörður tunnel (1998) cut about 45 km off the route from Reykjavík to West Iceland, and the Vaðlaheiði tunnel (2018) near Akureyri avoids the Víkurskarð pass. The Fáskrúðsfjörður tunnel (2005) and the Norðfjörður tunnel (2017) improved transport in the Eastfjords, although not all of them are on the Ring Road itself.
Cycling and other routes
More and more people cycle around the Ring Road, which usually takes two to four weeks. Wind and weather are the main challenges. It is also possible to travel around the country by scheduled bus in summer, but services are infrequent. For those who want to go further, there is the Westfjords Way, a loop of about 950 km around the Westfjords, and the Arctic Coast Way along the north coast.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Ring Road?
The Ring Road is about 1,320 km long.
How long does it take to drive around Iceland?
It can be done in 4–5 days, but 7–10 days are recommended to enjoy the main sights.
Is the Ring Road open in winter?
Yes, it is open all year, but some sections may close temporarily because of storms.