Driving Roads in Iceland

Explore scenic and exciting driving roads across Iceland.

Diamond Circle

Iceland

Landmannalaugar (F208 - North)

Iceland

47 /100

40 kmIS

Seyðisfjörður Mountain Pass

Iceland

47 /100

27 kmIS

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Iceland

26 /100

228 kmIS

The Ring Road (Route 1)

Iceland

10 /100

1319 kmIS

Westfjords Way (Vestfjarðaleiðin)

Driving in Iceland

Route 1, the Ring Road, circles most of Iceland and links a wide range of landscapes, from the low coastal roads and glaciers of the south to the volcanic terrain around Mývatn and high, weather-exposed sections in the north and east. Beyond it, scenic driving becomes more varied: the Eastfjords feature winding coastal roads beneath steep mountains, while the Westfjords combine long fjord shorelines, mountain crossings and substantial stretches of gravel. Snæfellsnes offers compact coastal and volcanic scenery west of Reykjavík. The central Highlands are a different category altogether, reached by rough mountain routes such as F208 and F26, where surfaces can be deeply uneven and some roads include unbridged river crossings. Road quality, exposure and remoteness can change quickly even within the same region, so route choice should account for vehicle suitability and current conditions rather than distance alone.

Season & conditions

The Ring Road and many main coastal routes are maintained for year-round travel, but snow, ice, strong winds and storms can still cause temporary closures or difficult conditions, especially on exposed mountain sections. Highland and F-roads are strongly seasonal: many remain closed through winter and spring and open only after snow has melted and the ground can withstand traffic, often in early or midsummer. Conditions vary by route, and closures must be respected; current road status and vehicle suitability should always be checked before entering remote mountain roads.

Tolls & access

Iceland does not have a general motorway vignette or nationwide toll-road system for passenger cars. The main road toll relevant to ordinary driving is the privately operated Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel on Route 1 near Akureyri, where charges vary by vehicle category and payment arrangement. Other normal public-road sections, including most scenic routes and the Ring Road, are generally untolled, although separate parking or facility fees at individual destinations are not road tolls.