Ring Road
Subregion

Ring Road

Iceland's complete circle of natural wonders

Iceland's Ring Road isn't just a drive—it's a 1,332-kilometer loop that connects every major natural wonder on the island. Route 1 circles the entire country, linking black sand beaches to glacier lagoons, volcanic craters to thundering waterfalls. You can knock it out in five days if you're rushing, but give yourself two weeks to really see what makes this one of the world's great road trips. The road stays paved the whole way around, though you'll want to detour onto gravel F-roads for some of the best stuff.

Itineraries coming soon

We're working on adding amazing itineraries for Ring Road. In the meantime, try the app to create your own!

The Ring Road follows Iceland's coastline in a rough circle, hitting all the major geographic regions. You'll drive through the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula, past the glacier-carved Westfjords turnoff, along the dramatic north coast, through the eastern fjords, and across the black sand deserts of the south. Most people start in Reykjavik and go clockwise, but counterclockwise works just as well. The road climbs to 525 meters at its highest point near Mývatn, but most of the route hugs the coast. You'll cross dozens of single-lane bridges—always yield to traffic already on the bridge. The landscape changes every hour: lava fields give way to green valleys, which turn into glacial outwash plains, then back to volcanic moonscapes.

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1.Fill up at Costco in Reykjavik before starting—cheapest gas in Iceland
  • 2.Buy groceries at Bonus or Krónan instead of eating at tourist restaurants
  • 3.Camp instead of hotels to save 15,000+ ISK per night
  • 4.Get duty-free alcohol at Keflavik airport—restaurant drinks cost 1,500+ ISK
  • 5.Pack lunch for popular stops like Gullfoss to avoid overpriced cafeterias
  • 6.Book accommodations 3+ months ahead for summer to avoid price gouging
  • 7.Rent cars directly from local companies like Lotus or SADcars for better rates

Travel Tips

  • •Download offline maps—cell service disappears for long stretches
  • •Pack layers and waterproof gear even in summer
  • •Bring a good sleeping bag if camping—temperatures drop near freezing at night
  • •Check road conditions on Vegagerðin app before driving each day
  • •Book Blue Lagoon tickets online in advance—they sell out
  • •Respect private property signs—not all land is open for camping
  • •Carry cash for some rural gas stations that don't take foreign cards
  • •Plan for 10-12 hour driving days if doing the full loop in a week

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ring Road is 1,332 kilometers around. You can drive it non-stop in about 16 hours, but most people take 7-10 days to see the major sights. Allow 2 weeks if you want to explore side roads and hike to waterfalls.

Explore Ring Road

Things to Do in Ring RoadWhen to Visit Ring Road3 Days in Ring Road7 Days in Ring Road

Ready to explore Ring Road?

Get a personalized itinerary in seconds with Takeoff.

Free on iOS. No credit card required.