The Ring Road and Driving Distances
Iceland looks small on the map, but distances add up quickly – and roads, weather and stops take time. Use this overview to plan realistic driving days.
The Ring Road
The Ring Road (Route 1) goes all the way around Iceland and is about 1,322 km (820 miles) long. Driving it without stops takes around 17–20 hours, so most travelers spend at least 7–10 days on the full loop.
Approximate distances and driving times
| Route | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Keflavík Airport – Reykjavík | 50 km | 45 min |
| Reykjavík – Þingvellir | 45 km | 45 min |
| Golden Circle (Reykjavík – Þingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss – Reykjavík) | 230 km | 3.5 hours |
| Reykjavík – Vík | 185 km | 2.5 hours |
| Reykjavík – Jökulsárlón | 375 km | 5 hours |
| Reykjavík – Höfn | 455 km | 6 hours |
| Reykjavík – Akureyri | 390 km | 5 hours |
| Reykjavík – Snæfellsnes (Arnarstapi) | 190 km | 2.5 hours |
| Keflavík Airport – Akureyri | 430 km | 5.5 hours |
Times are without stops, in good summer conditions. In winter, allow much more time.
Planning tips
- Add extra time – stops for sights, photos, food and fuel can easily double your driving time.
- Short winter days: in December there are only about 4–5 hours of daylight. See Winter driving in Iceland.
- Check road conditions every morning at umferdin.is/en – roads can close because of weather.
- Fuel and charging: stations are far apart in the East and the Westfjords. See Fueling up and Charging an electric car.
- Unlimited mileage is recommended for longer trips. See Unlimited or limited mileage?
- Tolls on the way: the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel near Akureyri and the Hornafjörður bridge near Höfn. See Parking, tolls and fines.