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
Iceland Hostels on the Ring Road
Ring Road Campsites
Ring Road Guesthouses
Ring Road Farmstays
Ring Road Self-catering/Airbnbs
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:
- 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:
- Selfoss Waterfall (just upriver from Dettifoss)
- 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
- 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:
- Geysir Geothermal Area
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:
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.