Fuel Stations in Iceland: Location, Prices & More
A road trip around Iceland makes for an unforgettable adventure, but if you don’t plan well, your experience might be compromised. You don’t want to be left stranded if your tank runs empty, or have to pay our service fee when you return our hire car without a full tank of fuel.
But when driving in a different country, there’s so much to consider. Where can fuel stations be found? How much should you expect to pay? Which stations offer the best prices? This blog is full of all the information you need about petrol stations in Iceland, which are a little different from the stations you might be used to in the US or UK.
Insider Tips for Navigating Fuel Stations in Iceland
Fill Up Early and Often
In most regions, you’ll find that there are plenty of petrol stations around the country, but depending on where you’re traveling, that may not always be the case. The best method to avoid running into trouble is to top up your car whenever you drive past an available petrol station.
If you plan on having a long day out exploring, you might not see another station for a long period of time, particularly when travelling on Iceland’s F-roads in the Highlands. Even though you might not think it’s worth it, taking the opportunity to actively fill your tank could save you from having to detour later in the day or finding your petrol warning light flashing in the middle of nowhere.
How to fill up
When stopping at a full-service petrol station in Iceland, you’ll find the process similar to anywhere else in the world. You can either fill up your own car using the pump (usually a green handle for petrol, black for diesel) or, at some stations, someone will fill up for you. You’ll then need to enter the kiosk to pay for the petrol you have purchased.
Self-service stations
You may be surprised to discover a number of unmanned petrol stations in Iceland. This becomes increasingly common when you leave built-up areas and are driving around Iceland for days at a time. In these cases, the fuel pumps are self-service, meaning you will need a credit or debit card with a PIN in order to fill up your car. This is important to note as some credit cards will only have a postcode to enter.
When filling up at a self-service petrol station in Iceland, all you will need to do is pay on the credit card machine, tell the machine which petrol pump you are using, and then fill up. If you are unsure of the process, it’s best to stop at a full-service petrol station with a person who can show you how to do this before attempting it at a self-service stop. But using a self-service station is really straightforward, and similar to opting for a self-service pump at any station you might frequent in your home country.
Make Use of the Services
Fuel stations in Iceland are really convenient, and a number of them offer a variety of services, from food options to restrooms, shopping, and vehicle washing. Making use of these services can make a big difference in your Icelandic road trip experience!
Food and Drink
Snacks make a road trip. At most staffed gas stations in Iceland, you will find a convenience store where you can stock up on snacks like chips, protein bars, chocolate, water, juice, soda, and your typical car snacks.
Some larger fuel stations will also have a cafe area on site, serving hot and cold drinks as well as food. Here you can enjoy favorites like Icelandic hot dogs, burgers, soups, sandwiches, pastries, and a good cup of tea or coffee. In more built-up areas, you might find that the stations offer a simple grill or fast-food counter with seating if you want to take a break from driving.
Many people visiting Iceland actually find the food from these fuel stations to be high quality and more cost-effective than dining out at traditional restaurants.
Restrooms and showers
Manned fuel stations almost always offer toilets for customers, and they are some of the most reliable places to plan regular, clean bathroom breaks on longer drives. In very remote areas, you may find only unmanned stations with no toilets, so it’s worth using the facilities whenever you stop at a staffed station.
A small number of larger stations, particularly those that also cater to campervan traffic, offer pay-per-use showers, but this is never a guarantee.
Vehicle cleaning
The roads of Iceland are known for leaving cars dirty. Dusty roads, muddy tracks, and salt spray, especially in winter, can take a toll on your vehicle. Many full-service stations in Iceland offer basic car care services, including self-service car wash bays, pressure hoses, vacuum cleaners, and air pumps, so you can tend to your car's basic needs.
The use of car washes and vacuums usually incurs a charge, but using the air pump is often free.
Shopping and other essentials
In addition to snacks and drinks, manned fuel stations in Iceland typically stock everyday groceries (think bottled water, basic fresh produce, bread, etc.). You can also usually find items that are handy for the road, like maps, ice scrapers, screenwash, and often small outdoor or hardware items.
In areas more catered to tourists, you will often see small displays of local gifts and souvenirs, or even seating areas with free Wi-Fi or charging stations where you can take a break and power up your devices.
How expensive is fuel in Iceland?
Fuel in Iceland isn’t cheap. Don’t be surprised when the price tag is higher than you expect, even when filling up a tank on a small city car. Iceland is also experiencing a rise in petrol costs at the moment, with an increased average of around £1.767 per litre, or IKR 295.266. Petrol prices will vary from station to station, with higher prices nearer to the capital and lower prices more often displayed further north or east of the country. This is something to factor into your Iceland holiday budget if choosing to hire a car to see the best of Iceland.
Where are the petrol stations in Iceland?
There are plenty of petrol stations across the country, with the majority focused near the capital city of Reykjavik and near the Golden Circle, as these are typically the busiest for vehicles in Iceland. This map below gives a good indication of the amount of petrol stations, and Google is a great help when searching for a location for your next fill-up.
If you have any other questions about driving our hire cars in Iceland, take a look at our FAQs for answers on a range of topics, from picking up your car to age requirements.
