Driving the Ring Road (Route 1) is the classic Iceland road trip. It circles the entire island, passing glaciers, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and volcanic landscapes. Most guides cram too much into each day. This plan is realistic for first-timers who want to see the highlights without rushing or driving after dark.
Day 1: Reykjavik to Vik — Waterfalls and Black Sand
Distance: 185 km (2.5 hours driving, plus stops).
Pick up your rental car in Reykjavik early. Head east on Route 1. Your first stop is Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall you can walk behind. Then drive 30 minutes to Skógafoss, a massive 60-meter cascade. Both are right off the road — no hiking required.
Lunch in Skógar village. Afternoon stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach. The waves here are dangerous. Sneaker waves have killed tourists. Never turn your back on the ocean. Keep at least 30 meters from the waterline.
Stay overnight in Vik. Book accommodation months ahead — Vik has limited rooms. Budget option: Vik Hostel (dorm bed from €60). Mid-range: Hotel Kría (double room from €180).
Total driving time: 2.5 hours. That leaves 5-6 hours for stops and meals.
Day 2: Vik to Höfn — Glaciers and Diamond Beach
Distance: 260 km (3.5 hours driving).
Today is about ice. Drive east past the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon — a 2 km hike along a mossy gorge. It’s free and takes 40 minutes.
Lunch at the Skaftafell Visitor Center. You can book a 3-hour glacier hike on Vatnajökull with Arctic Adventures (€120 per person). Skip if you’re short on time — the views from the parking lot are still spectacular.
Afternoon: Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach. Icebergs float in the lagoon and wash up on the black sand. This is the most photographed spot in Iceland. Visit around 4 PM for best light. No entrance fee.
Stay in Höfn. The town is known for langoustine. Try Pakkhús Restaurant (main courses €30-45). Budget option: Höfn Hostel (€55 dorm).
| Stop | Time Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fjaðrárgljúfur | 40 min | Free |
| Skaftafell glacier hike | 3 hours | €120 |
| Jökulsárlón lagoon | 1 hour | Free |
| Diamond Beach | 30 min | Free |
Day 3: Höfn to Egilsstaðir — The Long East Fjords
Distance: 240 km (4 hours driving).
This is the least spectacular section of the Ring Road. The east fjords are beautiful but driving is slow — winding roads, tunnels, and single-lane bridges. Do not rush this day. Plan for 5 hours of driving including breaks.
Stop at Stöðvarfjörður for coffee at the tiny café by the harbor. Visit the Petra’s Stone Collection museum (€8) if you like rocks and fossils. Otherwise just enjoy the views.
Lunch in Reyðarfjörður. The gas station N1 there has decent sandwiches (€10). Fill your tank — gas stations are sparse in the east.
Stay overnight in Egilsstaðir. It’s a small town but has supermarkets and hotels. Budget: Eyvindarholt Guesthouse (€80 double). Mid-range: Icelandair Hotel Herad (€150).
Day 4: Egilsstaðir to Mývatn — Waterfalls and Geothermal Area
Distance: 170 km (2.5 hours driving).
Morning: Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The east side road is paved — use that. The spray is intense so wear a rain jacket. Then drive 10 minutes to Selfoss for a wider, calmer cascade.
Lunch at the Mývatn Nature Baths café (€15 for soup and bread). The baths are cheaper than Blue Lagoon (€45 vs €80). The water is exactly the same — naturally heated geothermal. Skip Blue Lagoon, come here.
Afternoon: Hverir geothermal area. Boiling mud pools and steaming vents. It smells like sulfur. That’s normal. Stay on the marked paths — the ground can collapse.
Stay near Mývatn. Budget: Skútustaðir Guesthouse (€70 dorm). Mid-range: Hotel Laxá (€160 double).
Day 5: Mývatn to Akureyri — The Capital of the North
Distance: 90 km (1.5 hours driving).
Short driving day. That’s intentional. Explore Mývatn area in the morning. Visit Dimmuborgir lava formations (free, 1 hour walk). Stop at Grjótagjá cave — the Game of Thrones filming location where Jon Snow and Ygritte hid. The water is too hot to swim (45°C).
Drive to Akureyri by lunch. This is Iceland’s second city. Visit the Akureyri Church and walk the botanical garden (free).
Afternoon option: Whale watching from Akureyri harbor. Arctic Sea Tours runs 3-hour trips (€75 per person). Success rate is 90% for humpback whales June-August.
Stay in Akureyri. Budget: Akureyri Backpackers (€50 dorm). Mid-range: Hotel Kea (€140 double).
Day 6: Akureyri to Borgarnes — Waterfalls and Snæfellsnes
Distance: 350 km (5 hours driving).
This is the longest driving day. Start early. Drive south through the Skagafjörður valley. Stop at Glaumbær turf farmhouse (€10, 30 minutes). Then continue to Hvammstangi for lunch — the gas station bakery has good cinnamon rolls (€4).
Afternoon: Detour to Snæfellsnes peninsula. This detour adds 2 hours of driving. If you’re tired, skip it and drive directly to Borgarnes. If you go, hit Kirkjufell mountain — the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Park at the base, walk 10 minutes, take your photo.
Stay in Borgarnes. Budget: Fosshótel Reykholt (€100 double). Mid-range: Hotel Hafnarfjall (€130).
Common mistake: Trying to drive back to Reykjavik tonight. Don’t. You’ll be exhausted and driving in the dark. Stay in Borgarnes.
Day 7: Borgarnes to Reykjavik — Hot Springs and Blue Lagoon
Distance: 100 km (1.5 hours driving).
Morning: Visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring — Europe’s most powerful thermal spring. Free to see. Then stop at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls (free, 30 minutes each).
Lunch in Reykjavik. Try Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand (€4). It’s famous. Bill Clinton ate there.
Afternoon: Blue Lagoon. Book tickets weeks in advance (€80-100). It’s 20 minutes from the airport, not from Reykjavik. If your flight is the next day, visit on your way to the airport. If you’re flying out tonight, skip it — you don’t have time.
Budget alternative: Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik (€55). Smaller, less crowded, closer to town. Same geothermal water.
Return your rental car at Keflavik Airport. Done.
