The Ultimate 8 Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
- Logan & Audri
- 4 days ago
- 14 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
If you’re craving a trip that feels adventurous, beautiful, and just a little bit luxe, Iceland’s Ring Road might be exactly what you’re looking for. The Ring Road isn’t just any old road trip, it takes you around the entire country while giving you easy access to some of Iceland’s most incredible landscapes. You’ll see waterfalls and glaciers in the south, dramatic fjords in the east, the whale watching capital of Europe up north, and so much more along the way. If you want to experience a little bit of everything Iceland is known for, this is easily one of the best ways to do it.
If you’re still deciding whether Iceland is worth the trip, make sure to read the 10 Reasons Iceland Should Be on Your Bucket List first.
Here's our ultimate 8-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary!
Is 8 Days Enough for the Iceland Ring Road?
Eight days is a great amount of time to see all of the highlights of the Ring Road, but it will definitely be a bit fast paced. You'll be averaging about 3-5 hours per day in the car, but the good news is that you'll be seeing plenty of incredible stops along the way!
If you want to venture farther off the Ring Road, spend more time in each region, or add in more lesser known spots, we'd recommend extending your Iceland Ring Road trip to 10 days.
Iceland Ring Road Map & Overview
The Ring Road is only about 800 miles long and loops around the entire country, staying along Iceland’s coast for most of the drive... which means plenty of AMAZING views along the way! You can drive it either clockwise or counterclockwise. This itinerary follows the counterclockwise route, starting with Iceland’s South Coast. No matter which direction you choose, most Ring Road trips start and end in Reykjavík.
We've included the full day by day route below, which maps out all the locations in this itinerary!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including hotel booking links. If you make a purchase or booking through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support our work and allow us to continue creating free travel resources. We only recommend products, places, and services we personally use and trust. Thank you for your support!
If you want even more route options, our Complete Iceland Guide includes 10 ready-to-use itineraries, an interactive map with 330+ pinned locations across the country, and extra travel tips to help make planning your trip as easy as possible!
Important Tips Before Driving the Ring Road
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road is surprisingly easy, but there are definitely a few things you’ll want to know before hitting the road. Since this route takes you all the way around the country, planning ahead can make a huge difference in how smooth your trip feels. Here are a few tips that will make your Iceland Ring Road adventure a whole lot easier:
Gas is expensive, like some of the most expensive gas prices in the world! In 2026, gas prices in Iceland range from $8-$9 per gallon... yes, really. So make sure you get a car with good gas mileage!
We'd highly recommend getting gravel/ash insurance on your rental car. The wind in Iceland can be very strong even in summer, so you don't want to risk having to pay for scratches on the car.
Don’t let your gas tank get too low. Some parts of the Ring Road are much more spread out, especially once you get farther from the south, so it’s always smart to fill up when you have the chance.
Get Wi-Fi in your rental car or download offline maps ahead of time. Service can be spotty in certain parts of Iceland, and it’s so much easier not having to stress about directions.
Double check that you’re booking an automatic car if that’s what you need. They’re more limited in Iceland, so it’s best not to assume.
Check current road conditions before you drive each day using road.is, especially if you’re visiting outside of summer. With that being said, Iceland's weather is always unpredictable!
Download your favorite music, podcasts, or playlists before the trip. There are some long stretches of driving, and it’s always better to be prepared.
Book your stays as early as possible, especially for summer. Some of the most popular overnight stops along the Ring Road fill up fast, and the last thing you want is to be stuck with overpriced options or nowhere convenient to stay.
If you’re still planning things out, our Iceland travel guide covers everything you need to know before your trip.
Our 8 Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
Day 1: Keflavík to Selfoss
Without Stops: 1 hour and 20 minutes (62 miles)
Right after landing at the Keflavík Airport (KEF), pick up your rental car or campervan, grab some groceries, and hit the road! You can either drive straight from the airport to your accommodation, or you can start your road trip off with a bang and explore a bit of the Reykjanes Peninsula before your Ring Road adventure officially begins.
Explore the Seltún Geothermal Area (45-minute drive): This colorful geothermal area gets you up close to steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and bright mineral deposits. There are boardwalks here, so you can explore the area safely... and fair warning, it smells very strongly here. But that’s all part of the experience!
Take a tour of Raufarhólshellir (35-minute drive): This hour long tour takes you through one of the longest lava tubes in the world! This cave was formed about 5,200 years ago during the Leitahraun eruption, how cool is that?!
Relax at Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River (20-minute drive): Right off the Ring Road is a geothermally heated river... need I say more? It's about a 45-minute hike each way, but so worth it!
Stay in Selfoss at Hotel South Coast: This hotel is perfectly located for starting your Ring Road adventure in the morning. It’s modern, cozy, and has a spa and fitness center. Plus, it’s just a short walk from downtown Selfoss, where you’ll find restaurants and shops.
Our Complete Iceland Guide includes even more stop ideas across the Reykjanes Peninsula and the rest of the country.
Day 2: Selfoss to Vík
Without Stops: 1 hour and 40 minutes (81 miles) via Route 1
Today you'll be exploring a part of Iceland’s famous South Coast, where some of the country’s most famous stops are all packed into one small, but incredibly scenic stretch of road. It's one of the most popular parts of the Ring Road for a reason!
Stop at Seljalandsfoss (55-minute drive): This unique 200ft waterfall is one you can actually walk behind!
Visit Gljúfrabúi (5-minute walk): Just a short walk from Seljalandsfoss is a small waterfall hidden inside a narrow gorge. Although the two waterfalls are very close together, they're fed by completely different rivers.
Stand next to Skógafoss (25-minute drive): Standing at around 200ft tall, is one of Iceland's most beautiful and powerful waterfalls. You can also see Skógafoss from above if you dare to climb the 527 steps to the top of the waterfall.
Walk behind Kvernufoss (5-minute drive): If you're up for one more waterfall today, Kvernufoss is well worth the stop. By walking only about 15 minutes from the parking lot, you'll find a stunning 100ft waterfall that you can walk behind. It's basically a lesser visited version of Seljalandsfoss!
Hike to Solheimasandur Plane Wreck (10-minute drive): You can either take the long 4.5-mile hike to this mysterious plane crash from 1973 or the shuttle, which takes only about 15 minutes. We personally chose to do the hike, and it was a perfect break in our day!
Take in the views at Dyrhólaey Lighthouse (15-minute drive): Sitting on the Dyrhólaey cliffs is this lighthouse with incredible views over the South Coast. Perfect for sunset or taking in the midnight sun!
Visit Reynisfjara Beach (20-minute drive): Although Reynisfjara is nowhere near the same as it used to be due to winter storms in early 2026, you should still visit to see it from afar. You can still see the stunning basalt columns that made the beach so popular in the first place.
Stay at Vík Apartment in Vík: This luxury stay offers modern and spacious rooms right in the heart of Vík.
Day 3: Vík to Jökulsarlon
Without Stops: 2 hours and 20 minutes (120 miles) via Route 1
Visit Vík i Myrdal Church (5-minute drive): This red-roofed church is located on a hilltop in the town of Vík, giving you incredible views of both the town and coastline below.
Stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur (50-minute drive): This canyon was carved by the glacial Fjaðrá River into beautiful, winding walls. It’s one of the most impressive natural spots in the area, and yes, it also gained a lot of popularity after appearing in a Justin Bieber music video.
Hike to Svartifoss (1 hour drive): This stunning waterfall is framed by basalt columns, making it one of the more unique waterfalls in Iceland! It takes about an hour roundtrip to hike, and as a bonus, there are other waterfalls along the trail.
Stop at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (45-minute drive): The icebergs here are breathtaking. They break off the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and come in all different shapes, sizes, and shades of blue.
Sunset at Diamond Beach: The "diamonds" you see here are actually broken off pieces of the icebergs from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon that float out to sea and wash back up onto shore. Sunset here is mesmerizing!
Stay at Hótel Jökulsarlon in Jökulsarlon: You can get incredible glacier views right from your room here. It can't get any better than that!
Day 4: Jökulsarlon to Egilsstaðir
Without Stops: 4 hours and 10 minutes (200 miles) via Route 1
Today you'll be trading glaciers for fjords as you make your way into East Iceland. This is one of the longest driving days of the trip, but it’s also one of the most scenic, with breathtaking coastal views and tiny fishing villages.
Stop in Höfn (55-minute drive): This small fishing village is known for its beautiful coastal setting and incredible views of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. It’s a great place to grab food, stretch your legs, and take in the scenery before continuing east.
Visit Stokksnes (20-minute drive): Stokksnes is easily one of our top 3 places in Iceland, and we’d even argue it’s better than Reynisfjara Beach! This mirrored beach is backed by the Vestrahorn, and there’s also a Viking Village you can walk through while you're here.
Drive through the Eastfjords (3.5-hour drive): It's worth noting that the drive from Stokksnes to Egilsstaðir is long, BUT it was my absolute favorite part of the Ring Road. You'll get amazing views of the fjords, pass through small Icelandic villages, and really have a chance to take it all in.
Relax at Vök Baths: After a long but beautiful drive, unwind at these floating geothermal baths in Egilsstaðir. They sit right on Lake Urriðavatn, and if you’re brave enough, you can even jump in for a cold plunge.
Stay at Lake Hótel Egilsstaðir: If you’re looking for a cozy lakeside stay in East Iceland, this is a great pick!
Day 5: Egilsstaðir to Mývatn
Without Stops: 2 hours and 10 minutes (108 miles) via Route 1
Today you'll be leaving East Iceland behind and making your way towards Iceland's geothermal wonderland.
Visit Stuðlagil Canyon (1 hour drive): If you veer off the Ring Road just a bit, you'll find a turquoise river running through a basalt column canyon. It was actually discovered pretty recently, in 2009, when they lowered the water levels of a dangerous glacial river and ended up finding this beauty!
See Dettifoss (1 hour and 40-minute drive): Say hello to Europe's most powerful waterfall! This is definitely not a waterfall you'd want to stand under, and when you see it, you'll understand why... With that said, you'll be viewing this one from above.
Explore Hverir (35-minute drive): This is one of North Iceland's most beautiful geothermal areas. There are colorful minerals, mud pools, and steaming vents. Similar to Seltún, you can also explore the area safely via boardwalks.
Relax at Earth Lagoon Mývatn (5-minute drive): If you're up for another relaxing evening at a lagoon, Earth Lagoon Mývatn is a great choice. I would go as far as calling it the Blue Lagoon of the North, but the not so crowded version.
Stay at Fosshotel Mývatn: This hotel is located very close to Lake Mývatn, so if you want to explore more of the area, this is a great place to base yourself.
Day 6: Mývatn to Akureyri
Without Stops: 1 hour (46 miles) via Route 1
Today you'll be making your way to Akureyri, Iceland’s largest city outside of Reykjavík, with a few fun stops along the way.
Admire Goðafoss Waterfall (40-minute drive): This waterfall is a part of Iceland's Diamond Circle and is also one of the more historic waterfalls in the country. According to legend, pagan idols were thrown into the waterfall when Iceland converted to Christianity, which is how it got its name, "Waterfall of the Gods".
Whale Watching Tour in Húsavík (35-minute drive): If seeing whales is on your bucket list, we'd highly recommend taking the detour to Húsavík, also known as the whale watching capital of Europe!
Walk through the Akureyri Botanical Garden (1-hour drive): Located very close to the Arctic Circle, you'd be surprised how many plant species live here. It's a nice place to relax for a bit.
Relax at Forest Lagoon (10-minute drive): Surrounded by forest, hence the name, and yes Iceland does in fact have trees... you can unwind with both forest and fjord views.
Stay at Hotel Akureyri: Base yourself here if you want to explore what Iceland's largest city outside of Reykjavík has to offer. Hotel Akureyri is also home to the famous North Restaurant!
Day 7: Akureyri to Borgarnes
Without Stops: 3 hours and 40 minutes (195 miles) via Route 1
Sadly it's your last day on the Ring Road, and while it's a longer driving day with not too many stops, you'll end your day perfectly positioned to head back to the airport tomorrow.
Take a Whale Watching Tour: If you skipped the whale watching tour yesterday, you have another chance to take one this morning right here in Akureyri!
Take photos at Hvitserkur (2.5 hour drive): See the troll that turned to stone (at least that's what legend says!) If you want to break up the long drive and detour off the Ring Road a bit, Hvitserkur is a great spot to visit during low tide.
Stop at Grábrók (1.5 hour drive): Formed 3,400 years ago, Grábrók is the largest of three craters in the area. If you're up for it, there's even a path that leads to the top!
See Glanni Waterfall (5-minute drive): While Glanni is definitely not the grandest waterfall in Iceland, it’s peaceful and worth a quick stop. According to local folklore, this area is also home to elves.
Stay at Hótel Hamar: We personally decided to stay in the Borgarnes area so we could easily get to the Reykjavík area the next day. If you have an earlier flight, you may want to drive the extra distance and stay closer to the airport.
Day 8: Borgarnes to Reykjavík
Without Stops: 1 hour and 5 minutes (46 miles)
Right when you wake up, get dressed, and make the drive back to Reykjavík. You can either drive straight to the airport if you have an early flight or spend the day relaxing at the Blue Lagoon before your flight. If you have a later flight, you could also spend a little time in Reykjavík before heading to the Blue Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon (1.5 hour drive): We'd always recommend using your first or last day in Iceland to visit the Blue Lagoon, but we personally love going on the last day to relax after a long trip and before a long flight. Make sure to book ahead of time!
If you have extra time in Iceland, there are still so many incredible places worth exploring, including the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Westfjords, and even the Highlands.
Best Time to Drive Iceland’s Ring Road
There’s honestly no bad time to drive Iceland’s Ring Road, it just depends on what kind of trip you want to have. Every season in Iceland feels completely different, which is part of what makes it one of the best countries in the world to road trip!
Summer
Summer is by far the easiest and most popular time to drive Iceland’s Ring Road (it's also our personal favorite!). The roads are at their best, you’ll have a ton of daylight thanks to the midnight sun, and it’s much easier to fit more stops into each day. If this is your first time visiting Iceland or you want the smoothest road trip possible, summer is going to be your best bet.
The downside is that it’s also the busiest time to visit, so expect more people at the major stops and make sure to book your accommodations early.
Winter
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road in winter can be absolutely beautiful, and not many people get a chance to see it, but it’s definitely the riskiest time to do it. You’ll get snowy landscapes, icy waterfalls, and a chance to see the Northern Lights, but you’ll also have to deal with limited daylight, more unpredictable weather, and tougher road conditions.
If you’re visiting in winter, just know that your trip may need to be a lot more flexible. Personally, if your main goal is to drive the full Ring Road in 8 days, summer or shoulder season will be much easier.
Shoulder Season
If you want fewer crowds but still want a pretty manageable road trip, shoulder season can be a great time to visit. Spring and fall usually give you a little more breathing room, and depending on when you go, you may still have decent road conditions and longer daylight hours than winter.
That said, Iceland’s weather is unpredictable no matter what time of year you visit, so don’t assume shoulder season automatically means perfect conditions.
FAQs About Iceland's Ring Road
Do you need a 4x4 for Iceland’s Ring Road?
If you’re only driving the Ring Road in summer, you usually do not need a 4x4. The Ring Road is paved and easy to drive for the most part. However, if you’re visiting in winter or planning to venture off into more remote areas like the Highlands, a 4x4 is a much better idea.
Is clockwise or counterclockwise better for Iceland’s Ring Road?
Most people drive Iceland’s Ring Road counterclockwise, starting with the South Coast, because that’s where many of Iceland’s most famous stops are located. That’s also the route this itinerary follows. That said, either direction works, and it really just comes down to personal preference.
Is Iceland's Ring Road worth it?
Absolutely. If you want to see waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, fjords, geothermal areas, and so much more all in one trip, driving Iceland’s Ring Road is one of the best ways to experience the country.
What is the most scenic part of Iceland’s Ring Road?
This is obviously subjective, but we’d say the South Coast and Eastfjords are two of the most scenic parts of Iceland’s Ring Road. The South Coast has some of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls and black sand beaches, while the Eastfjords are a lot less crowded, and the drive itself is incredibly scenic.
Can you see the Northern Lights on Iceland’s Ring Road?
Yes, if you’re visiting during the right time of year, Iceland’s Ring Road can be a great place to see the Northern Lights. Your best chances are usually from fall through early spring, but of course, it depends on weather, cloud cover, and solar activity.
Fun Facts About Iceland's Ring Road
We hope this Ring Road guide helps you plan an unforgettable road trip to one of the world's most beautiful countries. And if you’re still on the fence, here are a few fun facts that might convince you it’s time to experience Iceland's Ring Road for yourself:
You might see more sheep than people while driving the Ring Road, especially in summer.
The midnight sun in summer gives you almost endless daylight, making it possible to sightsee late at night.
Iceland’s weather can change in minutes, which means the exact same stretch of road can look totally different from one hour to the next.
You can drive through waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, black sand beaches, fjords, and geothermal areas all on one road trip.
Iceland’s Ring Road is about 800 miles long and loops around almost the entire country.
If Iceland’s Ring Road is on your bucket list, we hope this guide helped show you just how amazing it really is. It’s such a special trip, and honestly, there’s nothing else quite like driving all the way around Iceland.
And if you want even more route ideas, hidden gems, and planning help, you can also check out our Complete Iceland Guide.
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