Iceland travel guide
Driving in Iceland: the safety guide
Iceland's roads are stunning and unforgiving. This guide covers speed limits, F-roads, one-lane bridges, weather hazards, and the damage no insurance covers — each in its own section below.
Quick facts
- Drive on the right
- Headlights on 24/7
- Alcohol limit 0.2‰ (basically zero)
- Seat belts for all seats
- No right turn on red
- Emergency 112
Before you set off
In Iceland you always need one eye on the weather. It changes fast and decides what's safe. Check the forecast and live road conditions every morning.
Check the weather
Conditions turn quickly. Get the forecast at vedur.is before and during your trip.
Check road conditions
Live road status, closures and surface warnings at road.is. Plan around them.
Before you set off, read how parking, tolls and fines work in Iceland.
Iceland road map: Ring Road and F-roads
The orange line is the Ring Road (Route 1). Red lines are F-roads and other mountain tracks. They're 4×4 only and not allowed for 2WD campers.
The Ring Road (Route 1) is about 1,322 km around the island. F-roads and other tracks our 2WD campers cannot drive open roughly from June to September. Those tracks need one of our 4×4 campers. Stay on the orange ring unless you booked a 4×4.
Speed limits
The speed limit on the ring road is 90 km/h. On gravel roads, and on the highway through Reykjavík, it drops to 80 km/h. In towns, or wherever there's no sign, assume 50 km/h. Speeding fines in Iceland are steep.
F-roads & restricted roads
2WD cars are NOT allowed on F-roads
Mountain “F” roads require a 4×4 and are unsuitable for 2WD vehicles. Driving one there voids your insurance. Our 4x4 campers may drive any F-road that is officially open. Many cross rivers without bridges: every river crossing needs our authorisation first, and water damage is never covered. Þórsmörk is the exception: its rivers are too deep for rental cars, so take the Highland bus. Always confirm openings at road.is before heading inland. If water is on the track, read the river-crossing guide first.
Fill up before any F-road. Stations are far apart. See the gas stations map.
Want to see the Highlands? Our 4×4 campers are allowed on F-roads.
Filter the fleet to 4×4 roof-tent campers and check dates.
Road types & driving rules
One-lane bridges (Einbreið brú)
The ring road has 39 one-lane bridges. There are no signals, so check the far side for oncoming cars before you drive on. The rule: whichever car is closer to the bridge has the right of way.
Gravel roads (Malbik endar)
Iceland has many gravel roads, often narrow. Slow down and pull to the side when a car approaches. Going too fast lets the wheels dig into loose gravel, which can send the car off the road.
Ring Road driving times
Approximate town-to-town distances and driving times without stops. The “plan for” column leaves room for viewpoints, fuel and weather.
| Leg | km | Driving time (no stops) | Plan for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík → Vík | 186 | 2 hours 45 minutes | 4 to 5 hours |
| Vík → Höfn | 272 | 3 hours 30 minutes | 5 to 6 hours |
| Höfn → Egilsstaðir | 248 | 3 hours 30 minutes | 5 to 6 hours |
| Egilsstaðir → Akureyri | 265 | 3 hours 45 minutes | 5 to 6 hours |
| Akureyri → Reykjavík | 388 | 5 hours | 6 to 7 hours |
| Full ring (town to town) | 1359 | about 18.5 hours | 7 to 10 days |
Route 1 itself is 1,322 km. Town to town driving adds a little.
Most guests take 7 to 10 days for the full ring.
Iceland itineraries and the trip planner that comes with every Foxie camper →
Driving in winter (October–April)
Winter driving is slower and more serious. Daylight is short, ice (including black ice) is common, and mountain roads close with little notice.
Daylight & ice
Plan shorter daily distances. Watch for black ice on bridges and shaded stretches even when the road looks wet rather than frozen.
Closures & apps
Check road.is every morning and keep the SafeTravel app handy for alerts and closures before you leave camp.
Wind & fuel
Gusts can shove a high-sided camper sideways. Keep the tank above half. Stations are farther apart and weather can strand you longer than you expect.
Studded tyres
All our campers have studded tyres in winter. Most of our campers have a diesel night heater that works without a campsite hook-up. The 4×4 roof-tent campers are summer campers. Still drive to the conditions. Studs help, but they don't remove ice or wind.
Winter-ready campers with studded tyres, heating and 24/7 support
Book dates that match your route and daylight window.
Weather hazards & common damage
The three most common, and most expensive, ways guests damage a camper, and how to avoid each.
Flying gravel & windshield chips
Roads are full of loose rocks. Keep plenty of distance from the car ahead so kicked-up gravel doesn't hit your windshield. Chips and cracks are the single most common damage on Icelandic roads.
Strong wind & car doors
Iceland's wind is fierce. A gust can rip an opening door clean off its hinges. It's expensive and easily avoided. Always hold the door firmly when opening and closing it.
Sandstorms
In strong winds, blowing sand can strip paint and cause costly damage. If you feel sand hitting the side of the car, don't stop. Keep driving forward until you're clear of it.
Not covered by any insurance
A few things no rental insurance in Iceland covers: engine damage from negligence, water damage from driving into a river or the sea, and damage to the underside of the car. The good news: these are the easiest to avoid, and the big one is simply never driving into water. Our Terms & Conditions set out exactly what your cover includes.
Plan your stops
Use the maps below to plan fuel, food, campsites and day stops, then open the full campervan map when you want every layer at once.
Campsites219
Overnight stops by region, including winter sites.
Gas stations104
Pumps by brand and town. Fill up before the Highlands.
Groceries64
Bónus, Krónan, Nettó and the rest on a map.
Hot springs44
Paid lagoons and free natural pools.
Waterfalls22
Ring Road stops and the ones that are a detour.
Open the full campervan map: campsites, gas, groceries, hot springs and waterfalls together.
FAQ
Can I drive a campervan on F-roads?
Only in a 4×4. Mountain F-roads are closed to 2WD vehicles, and taking one there voids your insurance. Our 4×4 campers are allowed on open F-roads; always check road.is before you head inland.
Do I need an international driving licence?
A licence printed in Latin letters (e.g. from the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia) is accepted on its own, as long as it's valid and you've held it for at least one year. If your licence uses another alphabet (Chinese, Arabic, Cyrillic, etc.), bring an International Driving Permit or an official English translation (for example a notarised one) together with it. Mainland China doesn't issue International Driving Permits, so a mainland Chinese licence needs the translation.
What is the minimum driver age?
Drivers must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid licence for at least one year. Drivers under 20 must take Gold or Platinum cover. The named driver on the booking must meet these requirements.
Are there speed cameras?
Yes. Fixed and mobile cameras are used on the Ring Road and elsewhere. Limits are 90 km/h on paved highways, 80 km/h on gravel, and 50 km/h in towns. Fines are steep, so stick to the signs.
How do I pay at gas pumps?
Most self-service pumps take a chip-and-PIN card (credit or debit). Have your PIN ready; some stations also accept contactless inside the shop. See our gas stations map for brands and towns along your route.
What do I do about sheep on the road?
Slow down early and wait for them to move. Sheep have right of way in practice. Do not swerve hard onto the shoulder or gravel. A soft tap of the horn can help, but never rush past a flock.
Can I sleep anywhere in a campervan?
No. Wild camping in a vehicle is restricted; overnight stays belong at campsites or other designated spots. Use our campsite guide to plan legal overnight stops by region.
Do I pay tolls?
Most of the Ring Road is free. You pay for the Vaðlaheiði tunnel near Akureyri (online within the payment window) and the Hornafjörður bridge. Details are in our parking, tolls and fines guide.
What if I break down?
Call our 24/7 Iceland phone on +354 850 4441. We will help with roadside support and next steps. In a medical or life-threatening emergency, dial 112 first.
Ready for the road?
Every Foxie camper comes with unlimited km, a 24/7 desk in Iceland, and free Keflavík pickup.
In an emergency, call 112. This guide is general advice. Always follow current signs, weather (vedur.is) and road conditions (road.is). Foxie Campers (previously North Star Rental) is based in Keflavík.