The Best Road Trips in Iceland
The best Iceland road trip depends on how much time you have and when you visit. Choose the Golden Circle for a day from Reykjavík, the South Coast for a shorter touring holiday, or the Ring Road for a longer journey around the country. The Diamond Circle, Westfjords and Eastfjords reward travellers who want to spend more time exploring individual regions.
Below, compare six routes by their highlights, suggested trip lengths and driving considerations, then choose the one that fits your holiday.
Which Iceland road trip should you choose?
| Route | Best for | Suggested time |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Circle | A first road trip from Reykjavík | 1 full day |
| Diamond Circle | Waterfalls and volcanic scenery in North Iceland | 1–3 days in the region |
| Ring Road | A longer holiday across several regions | 10–14 days |
| South Coast | Waterfalls, coastal views and glacier scenery | 2–4 days, depending on your turnaround point |
| Westfjords Way | Winding coastal drives and small towns | 5–7 days in the region |
| Eastfjords | Harbour towns and a slower pace | 2–3 days in the region |
These are planning suggestions, not minimum driving times. Allow extra time to reach the northern, eastern and western regions, and build flexibility into your itinerary for weather, road conditions and longer stops.
1. The Golden Circle: a full day from Reykjavík
The Golden Circle brings together three very different sights within a manageable day trip: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. It is a good starting point if this is your first visit to Iceland or you are staying in Reykjavík for a short break.
Give yourself time to walk at Þingvellir, watch Strokkur erupt at the Geysir area and visit the viewpoints at Gullfoss. If your schedule allows, add a stop at Kerið crater. Keep optional stops flexible so the day does not become a race between car parks.
Car choice: The main route is paved, and a 2WD car is generally suitable in good conditions. Winter weather can change that assessment, so choose for the season and check conditions before setting out. Read our guide to choosing a car for the Golden Circle.
2. The Diamond Circle: explore North Iceland
The Diamond Circle is an approximately 250 km touring route with five main highlights: Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi and Húsavík. Akureyri is a useful base or starting point nearby, rather than one of the route’s five headline stops.
You could devote one long day to selected sights, but two or three days gives you more time for walks, the Mývatn area and a stop in Húsavík. This is a regional itinerary, so remember to allow separate travel time if you are starting in Reykjavík.
Driving tip: Do not confuse the Diamond Circle with a Highland expedition. Check the specific approach roads to your stops, particularly Dettifoss, because access and conditions vary by season. A navigation app’s suggested route should always be checked against current road information.
3. The Ring Road: a longer journey around Iceland
Route 1, usually called the Ring Road, is Iceland’s main touring circuit. According to Visit Iceland’s driving guide, the route covers approximately 1,322 km and is paved throughout. Detours and sightseeing drives will add to that distance.
For a sightseeing holiday, we suggest allowing 10–14 days. That gives you more room to explore the South Coast, East Iceland and the north without changing accommodation after a long drive every day. A shorter itinerary requires harder choices about what to skip, and winter needs additional flexibility.
Build your overnight stops around the places where you want to spend time. For example, leave space for Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the southeast and the Mývatn area in the north. The Golden Circle and Westfjords require additional routing; they are not automatically included by following Route 1.
Car choice: A 2WD can suit a summer trip on the paved main route in good conditions. Consider your detours, luggage and seasonal driving needs when choosing a vehicle. Even the Ring Road can close temporarily in bad weather.
4. The South Coast: waterfalls and glacier views
The South Coast is a flexible alternative to driving the full Ring Road. Follow Route 1 east from Reykjavík, with stops such as Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Vík. You can turn back after exploring this stretch or continue towards Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón.
For a shorter trip, allow around two days for the journey to Vík and back, with sightseeing stops. If you want to continue to the glacier lagoon and return to Reykjavík, we suggest three or four days. Your turnaround point makes a substantial difference to the amount of driving.
Plan coastal stops carefully: Reynisfjara has dangerous sneaker waves and access restrictions can change. Check SafeTravel’s current black sand beach guidance before visiting, obey signs and closures, and use only areas open to visitors. Do not approach the water.
5. The Westfjords Way: allow time for the winding roads
The Westfjords Way, or Vestfjarðaleiðin, is an approximately 950 km touring route through the Westfjords and Dalir. Choose it if you enjoy coastal scenery, small communities and a journey with plenty of reasons to stop.
We suggest five to seven days in the region if you want to explore beyond a few headline sights. Build your itinerary around places such as Dynjandi and Ísafjörður, allowing time for the winding roads between them. A short distance on the map does not necessarily mean a quick drive.
Driving tip: Summer is the most straightforward season for a broader touring itinerary. Road surfaces, mountain passes and seasonal access need careful planning, and distances between services can be long. Check fuel or charging stops and accommodation before committing to each day’s route. Our Westfjords travel guide has more ideas for your visit.
6. The Eastfjords: make room for harbour towns
The Eastfjords suit travellers who want to slow down between larger sightseeing stops. Plan time in Djúpivogur and Breiðdalsvík, or add a detour to Seyðisfjörður for its harbour setting and colourful streets. Visit Austurland’s guide to Seyðisfjörður is useful for planning that stop.
Allow two or three days in the region to combine coastal drives with village visits and short walks. You can include the Eastfjords within a longer Ring Road holiday, but visiting towns away from Route 1 takes additional time.
Driving tip: Check each detour separately. Mountain roads and passes can have different conditions from the main road, so review the forecast and road status before leaving, particularly outside summer.
Before you set off on your Iceland road trip
- Check conditions each day. Use Iceland’s official road information, the Icelandic Met Office forecast and SafeTravel alerts to adjust your plans.
- Plan for sightseeing as well as driving. Map estimates do not include meals, walks, photo stops or weather delays. Keep your daily itinerary realistic for the available daylight.
- Match the car to the actual roads. A 4x4 does not make a closed road accessible. If you add F-roads, you need a suitable 4x4 permitted by your rental agreement, and the roads must be open. Check route-specific requirements before booking.
- Leave room to change direction. A flexible day or an optional stop makes it easier to respond to poor weather without rushing the rest of your trip.
Choose your route, then choose your rental car
Start with the time you have. The Golden Circle fits a single sightseeing day, the South Coast works well for a shorter touring break, and the Ring Road needs a larger share of your holiday. Choose the Diamond Circle, Westfjords or Eastfjords when you want to give one region more attention.
Once you have chosen your route and travel dates, compare Iceland Car Rental’s cars for your group size, luggage and planned roads.
