How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Iceland
Discover how long it takes to drive around Iceland's epic Ring Road. Get insights on travel times, scenic stops, and the best times to explore.
How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Iceland?
How long does it take to drive around Iceland? As a rental car agency, we’re often asked that question. We think the answer to that question should really be, “How long can you spare?” Iceland’s Route 1, also known as the Ring Road, is a popular driving route for visitors. Before you rent yourself some wheels from MyCar, let’s take a look and see how the experience might differ according to how long you can give it.
Taken literally, it takes a day to drive around Iceland. Most people take that to mean circumnavigating Iceland via what’s known as the Ring Road. It’s about 1332 km or 828 miles long, a single-carriageway road but well-maintained with a smooth tarmac surface even if you’re starting from Reykjavik or Keflavik Airport, which adds a little bit to the journey; you could if you wanted to, drive the whole thing in one single 24 hour period.
But even if we assume you’ll do so in June, when daylight hours are at their peak, we don’t recommend you do. The road itself is not the issue. It’s not even the case that to do so would be tiring – after all, you could share the driving with fellow travelers. No, it’s because the circuit is packed with jaw-dropping sights that you’d be forced to drive straight by. Imagine that: coming all the way here and being in such a rush to drive around Iceland that you miss its most beautiful landforms and landmarks.
So let’s knock that idea on the head and be sensible. You’ve not come to Iceland for a road trip that doesn’t involve getting out of the car. Realistically, you’re going to want at least a week, probably two, to do the route justice. In summer, you can cover more ground. Because the sun rises so early and sets so late, it’s possible to drive around Iceland at either end of the day and, so long as you have the stamina, do your hiking and sightseeing in the middle.
However, that might not sound like a great idea, particularly if you’re an older traveler who needs to pace themselves and rest or if you’re visiting with children in tow. If you have the budget to extend the trip, then adding some extra days is a luxury that you’ll want to embrace. This extra time will facilitate detours off the main loop, such as to Snaefellsnes or the Westfjords, or enable you to follow popular sightseeing routes, such as the Golden or Diamond Circle, which also branch off from the ring road.
As you drive around Iceland, you’ll soon see what we mean. With more time, you’d be able to explore tucked-away canyons such as Fjaðrárgljúfur in the south or Studlagil in the east. You could hop on a boat tour to watch seals playing amid the icebergs of Jökulsárlón or see how many whales you could spot off the coast near Húsavík. You could hike to a handful of waterfalls, each more breathtaking than the last. And, of course, you’ll also want to relax in at least one of the country’s incredible geothermal baths and lagoons – probably several.
So, how long does it take to drive around Iceland and leave you feeling you’ve actually seen the country’s highlights? As an absolute minimum, in the summer, you’re looking at four to five days. In winter, you’ll need to build in some contingency days in case you have to wait out some bad weather or drive more slowly to be safe in inclement conditions. Seven or eight would be better in this case. Even if you allow ten to fourteen days to complete your loop, you still won’t see everything. Accept that, and plan a return trip – you won’t regret it.