Driving around Iceland is the easiest way to explore as much of the country as possible, which is precisely why many travelers choose this option during their stay.
However, no matter how confident you are in your driving skills, it is still important to understand the roads.
If you plan to drive in Iceland on your next vacation, read further to get prepared behind the wheel so you can get the most out of your Icelandic adventure.
Where to Rent a Car in Iceland?
If you’re ready to explore the Iceland cities, the only thing left to do is to find a quality Iceland car rental service.
Icerental4x4 is a local company with years of experience that offers you a huge selection of vehicles, from economy cars to winterized 4×4 vehicles and camper vans.
Let us help you have the best Iceland road trip possible! Check our available rental cars and contact us.
You can also get our comprehensive guide on Iceland ring road driving, and on all you need to know before driving in Iceland.
Why do you Rent a Car in Iceland?
As we have said before, renting a car in Iceland is the easiest way to move around the country easily.
You can observe the beautiful landscapes at your own pace, without relying on public transport (which may not even take you to all the places you want to visit, as some destinations in Iceland are only accessible by car) or tour guides.
You will have the freedom to travel as you wish and discover the places in Iceland that you want, when, and how you want.
In addition, by renting a car with Icerental4x4 Car Rental, you will be more equipped to see all the cities and landscapes of Iceland with maximum comfort, thanks to exclusive advantages such as discounts, 24/7 assistance, airport pick-up, and much more.
No matter where you’re going, who you’re traveling with, or what your needs are, we have the perfect rental car for you.
Where to drive in Iceland?
Once you get to Iceland and you’ve got yourself a car to move around, you’ll need to decide where exactly you want to drive to
Here are some of our favorite options to enjoy your holiday in Iceland.
The much talked about Ring Road
The ring road, also known as Route 1, is the most popular in Iceland since it goes around the entire island and takes you to the most important places in the country.
This 1,339-kilometre road is mostly paved (although you have to be careful with some gravel sections in the east) and is two-lane, with a speed limit of 90 km/h.
If you were just driving the ring road, non-stop, it would take you about 17 hours, but you’ll want to see sights along the way.
Each traveler travels the ring road at a different speed; it all depends on the pace you want to take and how many places you want to get to.
Some travelers spend several weeks, while others concentrate on their entire trip in five or six days.
We usually recommend spending 7 to 10 days on Route 1 to see most of the major sites, without rushing.
Popular places on ring road
Some of the most popular stops on ring road are, of course, Reykjavik, the capital city, according to businesspally.
Vik
A remote southern town known for its proximity to the Myrdalsjokull glacier, its beautiful black-sand beach, and its puffin-filled cliffs.
Jokulsarlon
A glacier lagoon on the edge of Vatnajokull National Park, with a black sand beach and a huge colony of seals that visit during the winter months.
Myvatn
A volcanic lake in the north surrounded by hot springs.
Of course, these stops are just one part of what the Ring Road has to offer.
The Westfjords
One area of Iceland not included on a Route 1 itinerary is the spectacular Westfjords.
This is a peninsula in the west of Iceland that has some of the most impressive views in the whole country, but they go relatively unnoticed compared to other more accessible places.
If you’re looking for fewer crowds and quieter scenery, you’ll want to explore the West Fjords while driving through Iceland.
Some of the must-see places in the Westfjords are Raudasandur, a pink sand beach; the Dynjandi waterfall and the Latrabjarg cliffs.
The golden circle
For those who want to see some of the most popular places but don’t have enough time to cover the whole of Route 1, the Golden Circle is an excellent driving tour of Iceland.
This route is only 300 kilometers long, so it is much shorter than the ring road.
The easy-to-follow and well-trodden road will take you to popular spots like Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park.
In addition, it runs through Reykjavik, which is convenient for those staying in the city.
The Highlands
Like the Westfjords, the Icelandic Highlands are not accessible by the Ring Road, making them less popular with most travelers.
However, the Highlands are a paradise for the more adventurous travelers due to their incredible volcanic, harsh and mostly uninhabited landscapes.
This region offers views that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
However, such rugged terrain comes with some challenges.
Visitors wishing to drive in Iceland in winter will find that the roads to the Highlands are only open in summer, and are only accessible by 4×4 vehicles as some require crossing rivers.
Still, for drivers not afraid of a little challenge, the Highlands is well worth a trip in the summer.
