28-11-2025
Driving around Iceland allows you to marvel at some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in the world, from expansive glaciers and cascading waterfalls, to fiery volcanoes and striking black sand beaches. But exactly how long does it take to drive around Iceland? In this practical guide, we’ll help you plan your ideal Iceland road trip, giving you brilliant itinerary ideas no matter how many days you have in Iceland. Buckle up and let’s go!
Driving around Iceland’s Ring Road, also known as Route 1, takes about 17 to 20 hours if you drive nonstop without any stops or detours. However, for a fulfilling Iceland road trip experience, most travelers need between 7 and 14 days to properly see and enjoy the highlights.
Here, you can find out how long the Ring Road is and how long it takes to drive across Iceland.
The Ring Road, also known as Route 1, is 828 miles (1,332 km) long and loops around the entirety of Iceland, connecting nearly all the country’s regions. Most of the route is paved, with some gravel segments to access popular natural attractions.
If you drive without stopping, the total Ring Road driving time is about 17–20 hours (under optimal conditions). However, factoring in essential stops for meals, sightseeing, bathroom breaks, weather delays, rest, and soaking in the sheer beauty of Iceland, your daily driving averages just 2 to 4 hours if you take 7 to 14 days. Attempting a speed-run is not recommended, especially during winter when daylight and weather can add several more hours per segment.
If you drive quickly, it’s possible to complete the Ring Road in 7 days, but that results in long driving hours of 4 to 6 hours daily and a rushed schedule with minimal time at each site. A 10- to 14-day itinerary offers a much more comfortable pace with shorter daily drives averaging 2 to 4 hours, allowing for side trips, hikes, and deeper exploration. For longer trips, you can even include fascinating regions like the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the remote Westfjords.
The ideal number of days depends on how much you want to see and your preferred travel pace. Here are sample itineraries for different trip lengths, so you can decide what would be your ideal Iceland journey.
This 5-day Iceland road trip itinerary is recommended if you’re short on time and willing to skip a few key sights, but still want to see some of the most amazing natural attractions along the Ring Road. This itinerary includes longer driving days and fewer stops.
If you have a week for your road trip, this Iceland itinerary for 7 days lets you see all the essential highlights with reasonable driving times.
Ideal for most travelers, this Iceland itinerary for 10 days gives you plenty of time to explore and take side trips.
This extended Ring Road Iceland itinerary for two weeks offers the most relaxed pace and includes off-the-beaten-path destinations and the Westfjords, plus room for extra adventures.
When you’re planning your Iceland road trip, you might be wondering what kind of road types and conditions to expect. While real-time road conditions in Iceland depend heavily on the weather, here are the road types to be aware of:
Most of the Ring Road is paved, well-maintained and suitable for any 2-wheel drive vehicle, especially in the summer months. Just keep in mind that single-lane bridges are common, and there may be some busier sections close to towns or scenic spots.
Some segments of the Ring Road, including routes to popular attractions, are gravel; these are safe to drive with any car, but should be approached cautiously at lower speeds. Beware of loose gravel and dust, always keep headlights on, and slow down on turns or blind hills.
F-roads are rugged mountain tracks found mainly in the Highlands in the interior of the island – they’re only open in the summer months and you’ll see them clearly marked on maps. A 4x4 vehicle is legally required for F-road driving. Never attempt these without the proper car, experience, or confidence.
If you’re wondering ‘what’s the best time to drive around Iceland?’, these pros and cons should help you decide. The short answer is that summer is the most popular time to visit Iceland (and for good reason).
Driving in Iceland in summer gives you the chance to see all of the island’s incredible sights, but it’s also the peak tourist season.
Driving in Iceland in winter can be difficult with fewer daylight hours and road closures, but you get to experience the island covered in a blanket of snow and even spot the Northern Lights if you’re lucky!
If you do decide to do a winter Iceland road trip, we recommend driving slowly and carefully, planning for extra travel time daily, and checking road conditions and weather updates regularly.
What about the cost to drive around Iceland? You might have heard that Iceland is an expensive country, being quite an isolated island. If you’re wondering what you can expect to pay for your Iceland road trip, these figures (all in USD) should give you some idea:
Average car rental prices for Iceland are as follows:
Top tip: Prices spike in summer, so make sure to book early.
Gasoline/diesel averages $7–$9 per gallon, so we recommend budgeting about $350–$500 for fuel for one full Ring Road circuit in a standard car.
Top tip: Fill up whenever possible, as rural stations can be farther apart.
Expect to spend $700–$1,800 for a 7–14 day trip, depending on comfort level. Another good option is to rent a campervan for your road trip, allowing you to take your home with you on the road. That way, you don’t need to worry about finding hotels and unpacking every night, plus you can wake up to incredible mountain and coastal views.
It’s super important to follow the speed limits in Iceland:
Speeding fines are costly and Iceland enforces strict traffic laws, including mandatory headlights, seatbelts, and no phone use without hands-free.
Cycling is possible but not for beginners; the Ring Road route takes 2–3 weeks and requires physical and mental preparedness. Avoid cycling in winter due to harsh conditions.
A popular choice for adventure seekers, traveling by campervan offers a lot of flexibility and freedom for your Iceland road trip. Costs vary from $100–$250 daily in summer and, as you’ll be driving a bigger vehicle, this option is best for those comfortable navigating Icelandic roads.
Bus tours follow set routes and have expert guides, giving you an option to explore Iceland without driving. Most tours last between 1 and 10 days and cost between $60–$200 per day depending where you’re going. Just keep in mind that public buses mainly serve cities and they’re limited to certain attractions, so you might not be able to get everywhere you want to go.
Explore the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about driving around Iceland:
Yes you can drive Iceland in 7 days, but expect a fast pace with only the main highlights. To see all of the most popular attractions, we recommend allocating 10–14 days.
The difficulty of driving in Iceland depends on the season. Summer driving is straightforward, but winter driving in Iceland requires caution, flexibility, and constant attention to weather and route closures.
No, you don’t need a 4x4 for the Ring Road, as it’s mostly paved. A regular car is perfectly fine for your road trip, unless you plan to drive the F-roads in the Highlands (in which case you need a 4x4).
The cost of a road trip in Iceland varies a lot depending on what you do and choose. You can expect $1,500–$3,000 per person for a weeklong Ring Road trip, depending on car rental, fuel, accommodation, and food choices.
Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and all types of travelers can feel safe here. The potential challenges lie in nature – that’s because weather conditions and natural phenomena (like strong coastal currents, sneaker waves and volcanic eruptions) are the main hazards in Iceland.
You can stay safe by following local rules, obeying any signs telling you to be cautious or proceed no further, checking daily road and weather updates, and exercising extra care in winter.
The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration gives up-to-date road conditions, including closures and weather warnings. You can also use SafeTravel for travel alerts and check the Iceland weather forecast, too.
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road is one of the world’s most spectacular road trips. While it’s technically possible in under 20 hours, a trip lasting 7 to 14 days really lets you experience stunning landscapes, waterfalls, hot springs and charming villages along the way. It’s also a great idea to allow a little extra time for detours or weather, so you can enjoy a safer and more rewarding trip. No matter your itinerary, driving around Iceland is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Ready to start planning your ideal Iceland road trip vacation today? We can help you out with our range of affordable and reliable Iceland rental cars, perfect to get you on the road and out exploring our beautiful island. Got any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us and our friendly team will be happy to help. We look forward to welcoming you to Iceland very soon!