Driving the Ring Road (Route 1)
- 15 sources cited
- Last verified 2026-10-24
- Published 2026-10-24
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Route 1, the Ring Road (Hringvegur), loops around Iceland; the Westfjords, Snæfellsnes and parts of the North-East are reached by branch roads [1]. It is the backbone of most self-drive trips. Here is what the official sources say about its length, road features and the season-sensitive sections, plus how to plan your days.
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1,309.70 km (July 2026) | Vegagerðin [2] |
| Recent change | New Hornafjörður section opened 24 June 2026, 12 km shorter | Vegagerðin [3] |
| Opened / fully paved | 1974 / 2019 | Vegagerðin [1] |
| Single-lane bridges left | 29 (2023), down from 140 in 1990 | Vegagerðin [1] |
| Days recommended | At least 7 | Visit Iceland [4] |
| 4x4 needed? | Not required for Route 1 | Visit Iceland [4] |
| Speed limit | 90 km/h paved, 80 km/h gravel, 50 km/h in towns unless signed otherwise | Safetravel [5] |
Why two lengths online? Many pages, including Visit Iceland's, still say 1,322 km [4]. That figure predates the shorter Hornafjörður section; we use the road authority's current number [2].
Which direction?
Clockwise and counterclockwise both work [4]. Practical tie-breakers: look at the multi-day forecast on vedur.is and do the more exposed stretches when the weather is best. If you start along the South Coast, you reach its sights while fresh; either way, book summer beds there early.
How many days?
Visit Iceland's minimum is 7 days [4]. Their planning advice is to think in driving hours rather than kilometres and to "always add an hour" to any estimate for stops, photos and weather [6]. With 7 days you will mostly be driving and stopping briefly; with 10 days or more you can add hikes, a lagoon boat tour or a detour. See our 10-day itinerary.
The route by region
South: Reykjavík to Höfn
Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík, Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón sit on or close to Route 1. Visit Iceland advises booking accommodation between Selfoss and Höfn well in advance in summer [4]. Details: South Coast guide.
East: Höfn to Egilsstaðir
Route 1 follows the fjords. In summer, the Öxi mountain road (939) is a gravel shortcut that Visit Iceland says saves 68 km [4]. It is a mountain road: check its status on umferdin.is before you commit.
North: Egilsstaðir to Akureyri
The highland plateau of Möðrudalsöræfi (a pass prone to closures from September to May [4]), then the Mývatn area and Akureyri.
West: Akureyri to Reykjavík
Over Öxnadalsheiði and Holtavörðuheiði to Borgarnes. Hraunfossar is a popular detour; Visit Iceland puts it 40 km from the Ring Road [4]. The Snæfellsnes peninsula and the Westfjords are reached by branch roads, not Route 1 itself [1].
Mountain passes and the winter half of the year
Visit Iceland names Holtavörðuheiði, Öxnadalsheiði and Möðrudalsöræfi as passes to watch from September to May, when snow and wind can close them [4]. In winter, build spare days into the plan and be ready to wait a storm out [6]. Check umferdin.is every morning: Safetravel warns that Google Maps may not show road closures [5].
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Road habits that matter on Route 1
- Single-lane bridges: slow down; the car closest to the bridge has right of way [5].
- Headlights must be on at all times, day and night [5].
- Livestock can be on or next to the road [5].
- Do not stop on the road for photos; use a pull-out or parking area.
- Traffic: most sections carry over 1,000 cars a day, and many sections over 2,000 a day from May to August [1].
Full rules and our checklist: Safety & road conditions and Car rental & F-roads.
Costs on the way
Expect parking fees at several popular sights, for example at Þingvellir and in Vatnajökull National Park (Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón) [7] [8]. We list the verified fees and offer a calculator on What an Iceland trip costs. Rental cars are also subject to a kilometre fee from 2026 [9]; see how that works.
FAQ
How long is the Ring Road?
Iceland's Road and Coastal Administration gives 1,309.70 km for Route 1 as of July 2026, after a new section through Hornafjörður opened on 24 June 2026 and shortened the road by 12 km. [2] [3]
How many days do I need for the Ring Road?
Visit Iceland recommends at least 7 days. More time means shorter driving days and room for weather delays. [4]
Do I need a 4x4 for the Ring Road?
Visit Iceland says a 4x4 is not required for the Ring Road itself; winter conditions and side roads are a separate question. [4]
Should I drive clockwise or counterclockwise?
Either works; Visit Iceland notes both directions are fine. Choose based on weather forecasts and where you have booked beds. [4]
Sources
- The Ring Road
Vegagerðin · accessed 2026-10-24 - Vegir (roads): road categories, Ring Road length, F-road types
Vegagerðin (Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration) · in Icelandic · accessed 2026-10-24 - Nýr Hringvegur (1) um Hornafjörð opnaður 24. júní
Vegagerðin · in Icelandic · accessed 2026-10-24 - The Ring Road – Route Number One
Visit Iceland · accessed 2026-10-24 - Driving in Iceland
Safetravel / ICE-SAR with the Icelandic Transport Authority · accessed 2026-10-24 - 5 golden rules for planning a trip to Iceland
Visit Iceland · accessed 2026-10-24 - Parking service
Þingvellir National Park · accessed 2026-10-24 - Pricelist
Vatnajökull National Park · accessed 2026-10-24 - Kilometer fee on vehicles
Ísland.is / Skatturinn (Iceland Revenue and Customs) · accessed 2026-10-24 - Umferdin.is: road conditions map (road.is redirects here)
Vegagerðin · accessed 2026-10-24 - Opening of mountain roads
Vegagerðin · accessed 2026-10-24 - Icelandic Met Office (Veðurstofa Íslands), English site
Icelandic Met Office (IMO) · accessed 2026-10-24 - Travel conditions (alerts)
Safetravel / ICE-SAR · accessed 2026-10-24 - Travel plans
Safetravel / ICE-SAR · accessed 2026-10-24 - 112 – When in need of assistance
Neyðarlínan (112 Iceland) · accessed 2026-10-24