Route 1: route guide

Route 1, the Ring Road (Þjóðvegur 1 or Hringvegur), circles Iceland and links the main towns, including Reykjavik. It was completed in 1974 and is 1,332 km long. It is the only road connecting east and west, so it also carries freight and serves small communities.

The road is almost fully paved. One gravel section remains on the shores of Berufjörður fjord in the east, between Djúpivogur and Breiðdalsvík. Surface conditions are generally good in summer.

There is no official start or end. Most travellers begin and finish in Reykjavik, driving clockwise or anticlockwise. Signage is often only in Icelandic, so carry a good map and GPS.

The south coast carries the densest set of stops: waterfalls, black-sand beaches and glacier views within a short drive of Reykjavik. The east fjords are quieter and slower, with the gravel section at Berufjörður. The north around Akureyri is the second city and a good base. The west brings you back toward Reykjavik.

The Golden Circle is a smaller loop from Reykjavik, with its furthest points about 80 minutes from the city. It fits a day trip and works as a taster if you cannot do the full ring.

Side trips off Route 1 toward the interior or coast are the reason to allow extra days. Many are closed or unreachable in winter or bad weather, so check conditions before detouring.

Summer (June–August) is the practical window for the full loop: the road is generally in good condition and most attractions are reachable. Expect the most traffic and the highest prices for rooms and cars.

Winter changes the trip. The Akureyri–Egilsstaðir stretch is regarded as the most remote part of the Ring Road and is commonly closed at times in winter. Many attractions are closed or inaccessible in winter or bad weather. A south or west half-loop from Reykjavik is the realistic winter option.

Shoulder months can work for parts of the route, but check road and weather conditions daily. Conditions can change after storms.

Accommodation is spread along the route rather than concentrated, so plan each night around the next day's driving. Reykjavik and Akureyri have the widest choice. Smaller towns along the south coast, the east fjords and the north fill up first in summer.

Book summer rooms and rental cars well ahead; this is the main constraint on a Ring Road trip. If you are camping or sleeping in a campervan, check where overnight stays are permitted, as rules are enforced.

A 10–14 day loop lets you keep driving days short and stay in more places. A 3–5 day trip from Reykjavik should focus on one half of the island.

Fly into Keflavík International Airport and rent a vehicle there, or bring your own. A weekly sailing from Hirtshals, Denmark, to Seyðisfjörður in the east is an option for travellers with their own vehicle; check that the service is running before you plan around it.

If you plan to drive off Route 1, know what you are doing. Rental companies only allow mountain roads (F roads) in a suitable 4x4, and driving F roads in an ordinary rental car is dangerous and can lead to damage and fines. Off-road driving is strictly forbidden in Iceland.

Check the latest weather and road conditions before each leg, especially for detours. Carry food, water and fuel where services are sparse. For emergencies, call 112.