28-03-2025
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland in the summer with a rental car, the highlands may be among the top must-dos on your itinerary. When you’re planning to drive the interior of the country, you will need a car rental for Iceland F-Roads to ensure a safe journey and that you are equipped to handle everything an F-road can throw your way.
Those who are unfamiliar with Iceland may find the term “F-road” as something new. In short, an F-road is an unmaintained gravel road, typically traversing the interior of Iceland. Knowing what classifies as an F-road and what you can expect to encounter when driving on them will help you decide whether they should be on your itinerary.
The “F” in F-roads stands for “fjallvegur,” or “mountain road” in English. They are unmaintained gravel roads that may have larger rocks, potholes, uneven surfaces, standing water, or even unbridged river crossings. They can be muddy, steep, or rocky, making them challenging to traverse without the proper vehicle.
Driving on F-roads in Iceland can be challenging and requires special attention. Those without the proper vehicle or the confidence should consider taking tours into the highlands instead. However, if you have an Iceland F-road car rental, you can drive these roads as long as you are aware of the conditions and are confident you can make the right decisions.
With the conditions of F-roads, it’s essential to have a vehicle with high clearance to help you clear the potholes, rocks, and uneven surfaces. It is also required for crossing unbridged rivers, though individuals without prior experience should avoid them. Driving off-road is strictly forbidden, so you must always be ready to turn around if the road becomes impassable.
If you’re interested in driving the F-roads in Iceland, you will need the appropriate rental cars. Many rental cars on the market aren’t approved to drive on these roads, making it essential to pay attention when booking your rental car. You must make sure you choose an Iceland F-road rental car if you intend to venture into the highlands.
Driving the highlands in Iceland definitely requires a 4x4 vehicle, but not just any 4x4. In most cases, it’s best to have as much clearance as possible to help you navigate obstacles without driving off the marked roadway. Every rental agency also has their own requirements for rental cars on F-roads. Be sure to review this information before booking.
It’s difficult to accidentally find yourself driving on an F-road. These roads are typically well-marked and include a warning sign before you enter them indicating you are about to drive onto a road that requires a 4x4 vehicle. So what happens if you drive an unauthorized vehicle on F-roads?
If your vehicle is damaged while driving on F-roads, which is highly likely with a low-clearance or 2WD vehicle, your insurance will be void, and you will be responsible for all repair costs. In severe cases, you may have to pay for a vehicle replacement. Remember, car repairs in Iceland are expensive.
In addition to voiding the insurance, driving on F-roads with an unauthorized vehicle can result in significant fines and put you at risk of requiring assistance from emergency services, notably Search and Rescue. In short, avoid driving F-roads unless your vehicle has been approved to do so. Also, pay attention to the list of approved F-roads from your rental agency as some are still banned.
Beyond the standard coverage of CDW insurance, which covers body damage to the vehicle, you should consider adding sand and ash protection, gravel protection, and any other types of insurance that are available to maximize your coverage while in the highlands. Because these roads are not maintained, your vehicle is at a higher risk of damage.
However, no matter how much insurance you purchase, there are still certain types of damage that may not be covered. Undercarriage, chassis, and wheel damage may not be included in your coverage. Water damage from river crossings is also unlikely to be covered. Damage caused by strong winds is also a typical exception. Ask your rental agency what is and isn’t covered.
When you rent an Iceland F-road car rental, you will need to educate yourself on driving in the highlands to maintain safety and prevent unnecessary damage to your rental vehicle. The following tips will help enhance your F-road driving experience in Iceland.
First and foremost, as with any other situation in Iceland, you should always check the weather and road conditions before you hit the road. However, since the F-roads are more remote and your phone signal may not work in many locations, it’s even more critical to make sure you know what you’re up against.
If there is a weather warning or a lot of rain is expected, it may be best to switch your F-road experience to a different day instead. Driving into the highlands in adverse weather conditions or when the roads are marked impassable on the Road Administration website is a recipe for disaster.
When driving on gravel roads and uneven terrain, it’s best to proceed more slowly than usual. While the speed limit on gravel roads is 80 kph in the best conditions, the highlands often require going more slowly to avoid obstacles in the road and extensive damage to your vehicle. When braking, do so gently to avoid sliding.
As you drive, you should maintain a firm grip on the wheel, stay alert to your surroundings, and try to avoid obstacles without going off the marked roadway. Even though the roads are little more than dirt tracks, it’s still important to follow them to prevent significant off-roading fines.
Another critical factor in driving safely on F-roads is having the proper tire pressure and ground clearance. It’s often recommended to reduce the air pressure in the tire slightly to give it more contact with the road and better traction. Ask your rental company about the preferred tire pressure for your vehicle to avoid damaging the tires.
In addition to reducing the tire pressure, proper ground clearance is vital to clear obstacles and get through unbridged river crossings. The minimum recommended ground clearance is 18 cm, but more is better, especially if you plan to tackle river crossings.
The highlands are remote, which means there are no gas stations or other places to get supplies once you drive onto the F-roads. Therefore, you have to be prepared before you go. Stock up on food and water, and consider bringing along a full fuel can in case you run out while on the road. Some rental companies will lend you one. Always fill up before you start your journey.
Although some people use off-road driving and driving the F-roads interchangeably, there is a significant difference. F-roads are still marked roads with yellow sticks along the way to help you navigate. In Iceland, off-road driving refers to leaving these marked roadways or tracks to drive wherever you please.
Off-roading in Iceland is strictly forbidden due to the sensitive nature of the environment. Even though an area may look to be entirely sand, there is a micro-ecosystem present that is easily damaged. Driving off the roads leaves deep treads in the land that may not repair themselves for decades or longer.
Because off-roading is strictly forbidden, anyone caught doing so will pay hefty fines. The base fine for these violations can be as high as 350,000 ISK, depending on the extent of the damage caused. Always know where the roads are, follow markings carefully, and never leave the road for any reason. If an obstacle is too much for you, turn around and go back.
Many F-roads in Iceland have unbridged river crossings that can be challenging. If you don’t have experience, it’s often best to avoid these crossings. However, with the right guidance and an understanding of the best methods for crossing rivers, some smaller crossings can be done. If in doubt, wait for someone else to do the crossing first.
The first step when approaching a river crossing is to determine how deep the water is and how the river flows. Some river crossings have signs warning about the depth or may have ropes to guide you in the crossing path. If you can’t determine the depth from the shore, wade into the water. Crossing rivers that are too deep or flowing too quickly is the easiest way to get into trouble.
The best places to cross rivers are the shallowest parts, where you will often see ripples. Smooth areas are generally deeper and should be avoided. If in doubt, cross the river at an angle in a downstream direction. Never drive upstream, and maintain a slow but steady pace to avoid making too many waves.
It’s also important to have a plan for the return trip. The rivers in the highlands often get deeper as the day progresses. If you struggle to get across on the way into the highlands, you may not be able to return. Always have a backup plan, and consider leaving your travel plans with SafeTravel.is in case you get into trouble.
Despite your best intentions, there is a risk of getting stuck in the water if you choose the location of your crossing incorrectly or fail to properly assess the conditions. Knowing what to do in these situations can be a lifesaver. The wrong move can be deadly.
First and foremost, stay calm. Panicking will only cause problems. Next, unbuckle your seatbelt and open the window so you have a fast exit. If the water is rising or the vehicle is sinking, exit the vehicle, and get to higher ground. Finally, call for help by dialing 112. Be aware that help may take a while to arrive due to the remote location of F-roads.
Now that you know what type of vehicle you need and how to safely drive on F-roads, it’s time to plan your itinerary. Below are several of the most popular F-roads in Iceland, taking you on an adventure to see breathtaking landscapes and an untouched part of Iceland that many visitors don’t get a chance to see.
F208 is the most common way for visitors to get to Landmannalaugar. This northern route into the area is seen as one of the easiest F-roads for visitors and doesn’t include river crossings. There is one river crossing just before entering Landmannalaugar, but it isn’t recommended to attempt crossing with a rental car. Instead, park before the river and cross the bridge on foot.
If you have a larger 4x4 or have decent experience with river crossings, the south part of F208 is a beautiful route to enjoy the scenery. However, you should know that this route is more difficult and has some significant river crossings to contend with.
Regardless of which part of F208 you travel, Landmannalaugar is an excellent addition to your highlands itinerary. The area is known for its colorful landscapes, natural hot springs you can bathe in, and beautiful hikes that will be the highlight of your trip.
F26 is an F-road that cuts through the center of the country, allowing visitors to drive between the north and south without going around the edges. However, this F-road is one of the most challenging and due to its length, requires careful preparation to ensure you don’t run out of fuel and have enough food and water to get through the journey.
The Sprengisandur route is one of the longest F-roads in the country, running around 250 kilometres with no refueling stations and little to no cell phone coverage. This route also contains one large river crossing that can be unpredictable, making the drive challenging, especially if you have to turn back. The views are spectacular, though, making it well worth it if you have a more adventurous spirit.
If you’re looking for the perfect starter F-road, the F35, which has lost its “F” distinction in recent years, is one of the easiest routes. This route starts north of the Golden Circle and stretches north, eventually meeting the Ring Road. Most people travel this road to reach Kerlingarfjöll.
The F35 does not contain river crossings and is generally more maintained than other F-roads, making it a great option to try out driving this type of road. The entire route is about 180 kilometres long, with no fuel stops or other facilities directly along the road. Kerlingarfjöll and Hveravellir do have some facilities.
Askja is a remote volcanic lake with a volcanic system underneath that is still active. To reach this location, you will need to drive F88, a more challenging F-road due to the two river crossings. While these crossings can be low and doable at times, they can also be high, making crossing much more difficult.
The F88 route winds through a desert-like landscape of volcanic soil and can be quite bumpy. The road is 79 kilometres long and takes you to the beautiful Lake Askja along with is geothermal neighbor, Viti. Be sure to fill up in Mývatn before starting your trip.
F208 isn’t the only option if you want to go to Landmannalaugar. If you’re looking for an alternative route there or back, the F225 can provide beautiful views and new scenery. This route is a shortcut from Road 26, reducing the drive by 20 kilometers. There are several small river crossings along this route.
F225 leads through the Fjallabak Reserve and along the edge of the Þórisvatn Lake. This route is known as one of the highest F-roads in the country based on elevation with a climb of up to 707 meters above sea level.
Due to their location and the fact F-roads are not maintained and are gravel or dirt roads, they aren’t always available for visitors to drive. In general, you can only expect the F-roads to be open during the summer months. Here’s what you need to know about when you can drive them.
The opening and closing of F-roads doesn’t rely on static dates. Instead, they are opened and closed based on weather conditions. Many F-roads don’t open until June and sometimes even into July. They often close by September but are sometimes open into October. If you want to drive F-roads, it’s best to visit in July or August to be certain.
While there is no set date to open or close F-roads, the Icelandic Road Administration provides a chart with the average opening date, along with the earliest and latest opening dates on record for the F-roads. However, you can’t rely on this chart alone to determine whether the F-roads you want to drive are open.
Melting snow isn’t the only factor that influences when the roads will open. After the spring melt, the roads will remain closed until the ground hardens and the road administration can assess the condition and possibly grade portions of the road.
Before you start driving one of the F-road routes, it’s essential to check the road conditions before you go, just like any other route you choose. The Icelandic Road Administration offers a map updated in real-time to show the current road conditions. As long as the road is marked red, it isn’t available to drive with a rental vehicle.
If you still have questions about driving F-roads, your rental company can be an excellent resource. Here are several frequently asked questions to help you get started.
No, you are required to have an Iceland F-road car rental to drive these roads due to their conditions and the risk of damage to unauthorized vehicles. It’s also important to note that not all 4x4s or rental companies will allow driving on F-roads. They can also restrict which F-roads you drive, so be sure to ask before you go.
Most rental car insurance does not cover river crossings due to the high cost of water damage and the high risks, especially for inexperienced drivers. If you do buy insurance that covers river crossings, read the fine print as some situations may still void your coverage, leaving you with a large repair or replacement bill at the end of your trip.
If you have a cell phone signal, call 112 for assistance if your rental car breaks down on an F-road. If you don’t have a signal, flag down a passing motorist to ask for assistance. In most cases, it’s useful to file a travel plan with SafeTravel.is to ensure you can get help if you don’t check in as scheduled. A satellite phone can also help.
For drivers who are uncomfortable driving on F-roads or don’t want to spend the extra money on a 4x4, there are guided tours available. These tours often use Super Jeeps and can take you places you couldn’t otherwise go yourself. Tours are available starting from Reykjavík, Vík, Akureyri, and potentially other locations.
While staying on the main roads can provide beautiful sights and everything you want from your Iceland vacation, the F-roads can give you an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime. When you rent a car in Iceland that is equipped for the F-roads, you’ll see parts of the country many visitors don’t get to experience, taking your breath away at every turn!