Summer/Shoulder

The Ring Road: The Ultimate Iceland Road Trip Itinerary

Route 1, the whole way round.

Drive Iceland's famous Route 1. A complete 7+ day Ring Road itinerary featuring top stops, driving tips, and hidden gems along the 1,396 km journey.

The definitive Icelandic adventure. Circumnavigate the entire country on Route 1, experiencing shifting landscapes from glacial lagoons to volcanic craters.

Distance

1,396 km

Driving

~23h driving

Days

7+ days

Summer Vehicle

Any car

Winter Vehicle

4x4 recommended

Compare 4x4

Season

Summer/Shoulder

What to Wear

Everything. Prepare for 4 seasons in a single day.

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The Deep Dive

Stuðlagil Canyon

Hidden for years, this basalt column canyon reveals towering hexagonal rock formations over a turquoise glacial river.

Dettifoss

The most powerful waterfall in Europe. It is not about beauty; it is about terrifying, ground-shaking power.

Mývatn Area

A hotbed of volcanic activity with pseudocraters, lava fortresses (Dimmuborgir), and steaming earth. It feels like Mars.

Worth the detour

Vestrahorn (Stokksnes)

Often nicknamed 'Batman Mountain': a jagged peak rising from a black sand beach. A photographer's dream.

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Forest Lagoon (Akureyri)

A new geothermal spa buried in a rare forest. A cozy, intimate alternative to the bigger lagoons.

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Seyðisfjörður

Arguably Iceland's most beautiful village — blue church, rainbow street — hidden at the bottom of a fjord, about half an hour's drive from Egilsstaðir over the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass.

Stuðlagil Canyon

World-class basalt columns in the East. Take the walk from the east side at Klaustursel farm to get down among them — the west side is only a viewing platform.

Hverir (Námafjall)

A bubbling, smoking geothermal field near Mývatn that looks — and smells — like Mars.

The Drive

Route 1 (The Ring Road) is the ultimate Icelandic road trip. This itinerary follows it all the way around the island, with short detours to each stop: 1,396 km of driving in total. Route 1 itself has been fully paved since 2019 and is mostly two lanes, but there are still dozens of single-lane bridges — don't underestimate it. You will cross high mountain passes (Öxnadalsheiði), vast lava deserts (Möðrudalsöræfi), and narrow coastal fjords. The driving experience changes every hour. Warning: Sheep roam freely on the road in the countryside. Keep your eyes on the verge, not just the scenery.

Logistics & Timing

Minimum time. 7 days is the absolute bare minimum to see it safely.

Recommended time. 10 to 14 days allows for the Westfjords or puffin detours.

Direction. Counter-clockwise (South first) is most popular to get the 'heavy' sightseeing done early. Clockwise (North first) is better if bad weather is hitting the South coast.

Gas. Never pass a gas station if you are below half a tank in the East or North-East.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for the Iceland Ring Road?

While physically possible in 5 or 6 days, a minimum of 7 to 8 days is highly recommended for the summer. In winter, allow 10 to 14 days due to reduced daylight and potential road closures.

Do you need a 4x4 for the Ring Road?

In summer (June to August) a 2WD vehicle is perfectly adequate: the entire Route 1 is paved. From October to April a 4x4 is recommended for snow and ice. From 1 November to 14 April tyres must have at least 3 mm of tread (studded tyres are allowed) — make sure your rental car is fitted for winter, and check road.is every morning.

Which direction is best to drive the Ring Road?

Most travelers go counter-clockwise (South Coast first) to hit the biggest attractions early. However, going clockwise can help you avoid bad weather systems if the forecast looks poor in the south.