| Day | Base | Main stops | Distance clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reykjavík | Perlan, city centre | Airport 50 km from the city |
| 2 | Reykjavík | Golden Circle | Loop about 250 km |
| 3 | Vík | Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara | Vík about 190 km from Reykjavík |
| 4 | Vík | Lava Show, Katla ice cave (winter) | Same base |
| 5 | Skaftafell or Höfn | Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach | Jökulsárlón about 380 km from Reykjavík |
| 6 | East | Drive towards Egilsstaðir | Höfn about 455 km from Reykjavík |
| 7 | Mývatn | Hverir, Krafla | Egilsstaðir is 164 km from Mývatn, about 2 hours |
| 8 | Húsavík | Whale watching, Goðafoss | Goðafoss 47.4 km from Húsavík |
| 9 | Akureyri | Town, botanical garden | Akureyri is 89 km from Mývatn, about 1 hour |
| 10 | Return | Fly or drive to Reykjavík | Flight 45 minutes, drive about 5 hours |
The idea of the route
Days 1 to 5 are the south, which you can do with a car or tours. Days 6 to 9 are the part that needs a car: the east, Mývatn, Húsavík and Akureyri. Visit Iceland says Akureyri is about 390 km from Reykjavík, about 5 hours by road, and that Icelandair flies the route several times a day in about 45 minutes. If you fly back on day 10, drop the car at Akureyri or plan the return drive; the rental company states one-way terms when you book.
South and south-east
Use the 7 days in Iceland plan for days 1 to 5, with Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón on day 5. One fee of ISK 1,110 at Jökulsárlón also covers the Diamond Beach. Skaftafell is 70 km east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and 130 km west of Höfn, which makes it a natural pause.
East and north
Mývatn formed in a volcanic eruption more than 2,000 years ago. Hverir has bubbling mud pots and the Krafla area has the blue Víti crater lake. Most accommodation is in and around Reykjahlíð, and midges swarm mainly in early June and August. In Húsavík, whale-watching tours run from about April to October, with June to August the best months; the Gentle Giants 3-hour boat tour costs ISK 12,490 for adults in 2026 (see Húsavík). Goðafoss stands along the Ring Road on the way to Mývatn. Akureyri has more hotels, restaurants and services than anywhere else in the north; see Akureyri.
The car
Rental pages on Discover Cars showed a mini car from about €31 a day, a compact automatic from about €35 and a compact SUV from about €41 in a sample search for 8 to 16 November 2026. Drive on the right with dipped headlights on all year; speed limits are generally 90 km/h on paved roads, 80 km/h on gravel and 50 km/h in towns. Some bridges are single-lane. Read the insurance and F-road rules in Iceland car rental. Fuel stations are self-service and most accept only cards with a PIN, and distances between them vary, so carry enough fuel to reach the next one.
In winter
In December there are only four to five hours of daylight, and snow can close roads with little notice, so 10 days of Ring Road driving is a summer plan. For a winter trip, keep the south and fly north; see Iceland in winter.
Mistakes to avoid
- Trying to drive the Ring Road in under a week and still stop.
- Forgetting to check road.is and safetravel.is before each driving day.
- Taking an F-road with a small car.
- Leaving the north to the last day.
FAQ
How long is the Ring Road?
1,322 km (Visit Iceland).
Can I do the Ring Road in 10 days?
Yes, with stops spread over about 10 days; plan for several long driving days.
Is it faster to fly to Akureyri?
Yes: about 45 minutes, against 4.5 to 6 hours by road.
Do I need a 4x4?
Not for Route 1; F-roads require one.
The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
