Planning a road trip in Iceland is no easy task. The country is filled with diverse scenery and once-in-a-lifetime activities. There’s an endless list of exciting things to see and do.
Most visitors to Iceland only have a set amount of time. While we’d all love to have unlimited time to explore a new destination, this unfortunately isn’t the case. Iceland’s Ring Road is known to be one epic road trip. However, with more time needed and additional costs, it’s fair to question whether it’s right to include it in your itinerary.
In this post, I’ll be answering the big question – is driving around the Ring Road worth it?
The Iceland Ring Road, also known as Route 1, is a circular road around Iceland. It’s the main highway in the country and connects the major towns of the south, north and east with Reykjavik.
The Ring Road is approximately 828 miles (1,332) long. It offers stunning views of the diverse Icelandic landscape. With glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes and fjords, the Ring Road of Iceland is one incredible road trip.
To answer the question simply and quickly – yes, driving the Iceland Ring Road is worth it. The route is filled with incredible sights and destinations. From the striking icebergs of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to the fiery volcanoes of Myvatn, the beauty and the diversity of the Ring Road knows no bounds.
However, driving around the Ring Road certainly won’t be for everyone. Below, I’ve shared some advantages and disadvantages of driving the Iceland Ring Road.
How long do you need to drive the Ring Road in Iceland?
If it’s your first time in Iceland, you need at least 10 days to drive around the full Ring Road. This will give you time to see all the highlights without rushing or spending every single day in the car.
You could potentially drive the Ring Road in 7 days, but it would be very rushed and you won’t have long to spend in places.
Of course, if you’ve been to Iceland before, you might not need to stop everywhere along the South Coast. If this is the case, seven days should be enough time to drive around the Ring Road.
Pros of driving the Iceland Ring Road
First up, I’ve shared some pros of driving around Iceland’s Ring Road.
Explore the north of Iceland
The best part about driving the Ring Road is seeing the north of Iceland. This unique and remote part of Iceland is home to some incredible scenery and landscapes. It has a completely different feel to it than the South Coast.
The Diamond Circle is a popular road trip in north Iceland and is part of the Ring Road. It includes attractions such as Godafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls. Yes, more waterfalls, but they truly are remarkable. Godafoss translates to ‘waterfall of the Gods’ and Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. They’re well worth seeing, even if you’ve already seen the waterfalls in the south.
Lake Myvatn is another epic destination in the north of Iceland. The area is one of the most volcanic areas of Iceland. There are bubbling mud pools, giant volcanic craters and vibrant lakes ready to be explored.
The diverse scenery
There’s no denying that the South Coast and the Golden Circle both boast incredible views. However, driving around the Ring Road allows you to experience even more wonderful Icelandic scenery.
As you move away from the south of Iceland, the landscape somehow becomes more dramatic and untamed. From the fjords of the east coast to the craters of Myvatn, the scenery is ever-changing as you drive around the Ring Road.
One of the best stops on Iceland’s Ring Road is Studlagil Canyon. This black basalt column canyon is one mighty sight. You have the option to hike to the canyon or view it from an observation platform.
The towns of the Ring Road
Another reason to drive around the Ring Road is to experience local life in Iceland. The further away from Reykjavik you travel, the more remote the towns tend to be.
The Ring Road has several beautiful, small towns which allow you to immerse yourself in local Icelandic life.
One of my favourite towns is Husavik, a traditional town in the north of Iceland. Husavik has a real charm to it. It was the first place to be settled in Iceland, so it comes with a lot of history. It’s also the best place in Iceland to go whale watching.
Other towns worth visiting include Hofn and Seydisfjordur.
The adventure
If you love an adventure, then a drive around Iceland’s Ring Road is well worth it. You can go for hours without passing any sign of civilisation or even another car.
The beauty of Iceland’s Ring Road is having the freedom to explore Iceland in your own way. On my solo trip around the Ring Road, I had a plan for each day, but would often find hidden gems which changed my plans.
Iceland is the land of extremes. You never know what to expect. This makes a road trip around the Ring Road all the more adventurous.
Ultimately, it’s just you and the open road.
It’s quieter with fewer crowds
More and more tourists visit Iceland every year. Most of these visitors stay in the main areas of Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and the South Coast.
Once you’ve left these popular areas, Iceland is much quieter. On my road trip, I sometimes went an hour without seeing another car. I also often had many of the attractions to myself (I visited in the shoulder season).
A drive to the east, north and west of Iceland is a great way to escape the crowds in Iceland and get off the beaten path.
Note: Cruise shops often dock in Akureyri, and passengers take coach trips around the Diamond Circle. This isn’t a daily occurrence, but I’d suggest getting to the attractions as early as you can, just in case.
Cons of driving the Iceland Ring Road
While I do believe driving the Iceland Ring Road is worth it, there are some disadvantages too.
Here are some reasons you may decide not to drive around the Ring Road.
It’s more expensive
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road is more expensive than sticking to the South Coast or Golden Circle. You’ll need to hire a vehicle for longer and pay for more fuel/gas.
It’s perfectly doable to see Iceland’s Ring Road on a budget, but that budget is going to be higher than if you just visit the South Coast or stay in the Reykjavik area.
You need at least 10 days to drive around Iceland’s Ring Road. That’s ten nights of accommodation and food. If you’re sticking to the South of Iceland, you only need 4-7 days to see the highlights.
Luckily, I didn’t find the north of Iceland to be more expensive overall. If anything, accommodation was slightly cheaper than in the capital and Selfoss area.
The long drives
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road involves some LONG drives. I had two days in my Ring Road itinerary which were entirely spent driving (other than pulling over at a few viewpoints).
The drive between Reykjavik and Akureyri is particularly long at 241 miles (388km). The east coast is another long day.
Having said that, you can design your itinerary to spend time in each place and have days without much driving. I spent a full day in Husavik and a full day in Myvatn with minimal driving.
Even so, the Ring Road cannot be completed without long drives. If you’re not a fan of long road trips, driving Iceland’s Ring Road probably isn’t for you.
It’s not very lively
Are you a city lover who enjoys a night out? Well, I’m sorry to break it to you but you’re not going to find much nightlife away from Reykjavik.
Many of the towns outside of Reykjavik are small with limited food options, let alone any form of nightlife.
Of course, this might be an advantage for some. The beauty of Iceland is its outdoor natural wonders. Not many people go to Iceland to party.
Even so, if you want to spend your evenings eating out at restaurants and drinking in a bar, I’d suggest sticking to Reykjavik.
You might find it all a bit similar
I want to preface this by saying I did not find the Ring Road ‘same-y’ or boring at all. But I can see why some people might.
I was once a tour guide in New Zealand and it shocked me at how many people genuinely weren’t bothered by natural wonders. I’ll never forget when someone told me they don’t get why people are impressed by Milford Sound. “It’s just some water and hills” were their exact words!
With this in mind, it’s fair to say that incredible scenery and adventurous activities aren’t for everyone. Some people prefer home comforts, exploring cities or lying on a beach.
While the scenery in the north of Iceland is very different to the south, it does also have some similarities… it’s more waterfalls, more volcanoes, and more lava fields.
If you like your outdoor activities in small doses, driving the Ring Road may not be worth it.
The weather
The weather in Iceland is extreme. Whether it’s summer or winter, the weather is unpredictable and can cause havoc on the roads.
This is true for all of Iceland, but it’s particularly bad in the north. This area tends to see heavier snow and stronger winds. In the winter, many of the roads in the north of Iceland face closures because of heavy snow. The roads tend to be kept clear in the south (unless it’s a very bad storm).
This may be off-putting for some, especially if visiting Iceland in the winter.
Summary: is driving Iceland’s Ring Road worth it?
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road is absolutely worth it you love a good road trip, want to see more of Iceland’s incredible scenery and you’re open to an adventure.
The Ring Road is full of never-ending spectacular views, incredible waterfalls, epic volcanoes and charming towns. Around every corner, something will make you go “wow”.
However, driving the full Ring Road won’t be for everyone. If the idea of long drives without any signs of civilisation doesn’t appeal to you, I’d suggest sticking to the south of Iceland.
Ultimately, only you can decide if the Ring Road is worth it. If you love the outdoors, amazing scenery, and adventure, I wouldn’t even question if the Iceland Ring Road is worth it. If you’re someone who prefers culture, a lively nightlife and you’re not too bothered about scenery, the Ring Road probably won’t be for you.
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