Complete Guide to Driving the Ring Road in Iceland

By Johanna Sigurðardóttir Verified Expert

The following tips will help make your trip a safe and memorable one:

You Always Need to be Right

No. You always need to be on the right side of the road. Even if you know this, it’s easy to fall back into a habit and find yourself in a stare-down with oncoming traffic when you slip into the left lane. Always stay focused on driving on the right.

Keep an Eye on the Gas

In every way possible. Firstly, whilst you may find gas stations regularly next to some of the main routes. Gas stations in the more remote parts of the island become few and far between.

Here you’ll need to ensure that you always fill up, so you don’t end up stranded next to the road in a remote region. Secondly, Iceland gas prices differ, and you’ll want to fill up at the gas station offering the best price. Simply ask your rental agency or any of the locals - they will be more than happy to let you in on all the secrets.

Get Offline Maps & Hard Copies

For the most part, you’ll find sufficient mobile and GPS signal all over the island. But, as with any other country, there are always a few spots where the signal seems to drop for no apparent region or gets obscured by mountains, etc.

That’s why you need to come prepared. Download offline maps of Iceland and the Ring Road and buy a few hard copies. This way, you won’t be “driving in the dark” when the signal suddenly disappears on an unmarked road in the more remote parts of the island.

Where to Stay on the Ring Road in Iceland

If you take into account how many miles the Ring Road in Iceland is, it should come as no surprise that you can have your pick of all sorts of accommodation. The following come highly recommended in their respective categories:

Ring Road Hotels

• Fosshotel Vatnajökull

• Icelandair Hotel Akureyri

• Hotel South Coast

Iceland Hostels on the Ring Road

• Kex Hostel

• Hvoll Hostel

• Hafaldan Hostel

Ring Road Campsites

• Vogar Campsite

• Vik Campsite

• Hellissandur Campsite

Ring Road Guesthouses

• Bikers Paradise

• Lyngas Guesthouse

• Bitra B&B

Ring Road Farmstays

• Brunalaug Farm Holiday Home

• Spirit Farm

• Skeidvellir Villa Farm Stay

 Ring Road Self-catering/Airbnbs

• The Garage Apartments

• INNI Boutique Apartments

• Arnarstapi Cottages

A Ring Road 10-Day Self-Drive Itinerary

Below you will find a 10-day Ring Road self-drive itinerary. We specifically curated the drive to include many of the must-visit places and towns along the route:

Day 1: Morning Arrival at Keflavik Airport - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavík

Drive Time: 1 hour, 49 km

Main Attractions:

• Blue Lagoon

• Capital city of Reykjavík

Where to Stay: Near Blue Lagoon or Reykjavík

Day 2: Kirkjufell & the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Drive Time: 4 hours, 300 km

Main Attractions:

• Kirkjufell Mountain

• Londrangar Lava Field

• Arnarstapi Settlement

• Vatnshellir Cave

• Glymur Waterfall

Where to Stay: Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Hellnar or Arnarstapi)

Day 3: Drive to North Iceland

Drive Time: 6.5 hours, 480km

Main Attractions:

• Hvitserkur Rock Formation

• Glaumbaer Turf Houses

• Akureyri (the capital city of the north)

Where to Stay: Akureyri

Day 4: Godafoss & Husavik

Drive Time: 2 hours, 140km

Main Attractions:

• Godafoss Waterfall

• Whale Watching Boat Tour in Husavik

• The City of Husavik

Where to Stay: Myvatn

Day 5: Myvatn & Dettifoss

Drive Time: 3.5 hours, 225km

Main Attractions:

• Dettifoss Waterfall

• Selfoss Waterfall (just upriver from Dettifoss)

• Myvatn Nature Baths

• Hverfjall Crater

• Grjotagja Cave (where Game of Thrones was shot)

• Dimmuborgir Lava Field

Where to Stay: in Myvatn again

Day 6: East Iceland

Drive Time: 4.8 hours, 350km

Main Attractions:

• Studlagil Canyon

• Rjukandi Waterfall

• Spotting the Iceland Puffins at Borgarfjördur (but only when visiting during breeding season - May to August)

Where to Stay: Höfn

Day 7: Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon & Other Glacier Experiences

Drive Time: 2 hours, 140km

Main Attractions:

• Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour

• Diamond Beach

• Fjallsarlong Glacier Lagoon

• Svartifoss Waterfall

• Vatnajökull Glacier

Where to Stay: Skaftafell

Day 8: The South Coast

Drive Time: 3.5 hours, 285km

Main Attractions:

• Fjadrargljufur Canyon

• Reynisfjara Beach

• Dyrholaey Lighthouse

• Skogafoss Waterfall

• Kvernufoss Waterfall

• Gljufrabui Waterfall (the Hidden Waterfall)

Where to Stay: Fludir

Day 9: The Golden Circle

Drive Time: 2 hours, 125km

Main Attractions:

• Gullfoss Waterfall

• Geysir Geothermal Area

• Thingvellir National Park

Where to Stay: Reykjavík

Day 10: Reykjavík & Flying Back Home

Drive Time: 1 hour, 49km

Main Attractions:

• Everything in Reykjavík you didn’t fit into Day 1

Where to Stay: On a plane homeward-bound

Tours and Packages of the Ring Road in Iceland

Although we will always recommend road-tripping the Ring Road yourself, some prefer guided tours. If that’s the case with you, these are a few tours you can consider:

• 5-Day Classic Guided Ring Road Tour for Small Group

• 6-Day Ring Road Tour Around Iceland

• 7-Day Complete Iceland

• Highlights of the Ring Road

Is the Hype Around the Ring Road Really Justified?

Yes, yes, yes, and yes! There are many things in this world that get hyped up for the sake of marketing, but the Ring Road is definitely not one of them. You simply cannot visit the island without renting a car in Reykjavík and driving the Ring Road.

This way you’ll be getting a sense of the different regions and enjoy the different Iceland landscapes! And, of course, experience most of Iceland’s unique attractions and activities. The Ring Road is a must on any Iceland trip itinerary.