Driving the Ring Road (Route 1)
Iceland's Ring Road, officially Route 1, is the paved highway that circles the island in about 1,322 km (821 miles). It links most of the country's regions and major sights, from the South Coast to the eastern fjords and the north. Most travellers drive it over 7–10 days. A two-wheel-drive car is fine in summer, while winter demands a 4×4, winter tyres and daily checks of road and weather.
How Long Is It And How Long Does It Take?
The loop itself is roughly 1,322 km, but driving time is only part of the picture. Allowing 7–10 days lets you stop at waterfalls, glaciers and towns without rushing, while five days is a tight minimum. Detours to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the Westfjords or the highlands add significant distance, so treat the headline figure as a base and plan extra time and fuel.
Which Direction And When To Go
You can drive the Ring Road clockwise or anti-clockwise; neither is clearly better. Summer, from June to September, offers long daylight and the easiest conditions, making it the most popular time. Winter is possible but slower and riskier, with storms and closures. Choose your direction around arrival plans and forecasts, and stay flexible if weather changes your day-to-day route.
Surface, Tolls And Tunnels
Almost all of the Ring Road is paved, though short gravel sections remain, mainly in the east. Tolls are rare: the Vaðlaheiði tunnel near Akureyri charges a fee payable online, while the Hvalfjörður tunnel near Reykjavík is now free. Watch for single-lane bridges and tunnels, blind hills and loose gravel edges, and slow down well before them.
Fuel, Services And Safety
Petrol stations and services cluster around towns and can be sparse in the east and along remote stretches, so refuel when you can rather than when you must. Keep headlights on at all times, observe the 90 km/h paved limit, and check road.is and vedur.is before each leg, especially for wind warnings.
Related Guides
For seasonal hazards see our winter driving guide, and for choosing a vehicle see renting a car in Iceland. The full driving in Iceland hub covers rules and conditions, and our hot springs guide shows where to bathe along the route. Plan stops around the regions you pass, and check the date on each page before you travel, as conditions change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is The Ring Road In Iceland?
The Ring Road, or Route 1, is about 1,322 km (821 miles) long and circles the whole island, though sources vary slightly between roughly 1,320 and 1,330 km. That figure covers only the main loop; adding detours to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the Westfjords or highland sights increases your total distance substantially, so plan fuel and time accordingly.
How Many Days Do You Need To Drive The Ring Road?
Most travellers allow 7 to 10 days to drive the Ring Road comfortably, stopping at the main sights along the way. Five days is the practical minimum and feels rushed. While it is physically possible to complete the loop in around 16–20 hours of driving, doing so leaves no time to see anything and is not recommended.
Can You Drive The Ring Road In Winter?
Yes, but it is far more demanding than in summer. Snow, ice, storms and short daylight slow progress and can close sections at short notice. Use a 4×4 with winter tyres, build in extra days, and check road.is and vedur.is daily. Many winter visitors drive only part of the loop rather than attempting the full circuit.
Which Direction Should You Drive The Ring Road?
Either direction works, and neither is clearly better. Many travellers go anti-clockwise, saving the busy South Coast for early in the trip, while others go clockwise to reach quieter eastern regions first. Choose based on your arrival plans, weather forecasts and where you want to be on specific days, rather than any fixed rule.
Are There Tolls On The Ring Road?
Tolls are rare in Iceland. The main one on the Ring Road is the Vaðlaheiði tunnel near Akureyri in the north, which charges a fee payable online. The older Hvalfjörður tunnel near Reykjavík is now free. Otherwise the Ring Road has no general tolls, though you may pay separately for parking at popular sights.
Sources
Checked against the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration and the Icelandic Met Office. Distances vary slightly between sources, and tolls and conditions change; confirm current details before driving.
Last updated: 2026-06-23 · Reviewed against official sources.