The Ring Road in 7 and 10 days

Seven days, clockwise

Drive clockwise so the long, thin eastern section falls mid-trip and you finish close to the airport. One night per stop, two in Reykjavik if your flights allow.

1. Night 1: Reykjavik

   Arrive, sleep near the city. Golden Circle the next morning.

2. Night 2: Vík

   Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara. About 190 km.

3. Night 3: Skaftafell

   Glacier views and short hikes. About 140 km.

4. Night 4: Höfn

   Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach en route. About 130 km.

5. Night 5: Egilsstaðir

   The long eastern fjord drive. About 260 km.

6. Night 6: Mývatn

   Dettifoss, Hverir, nature baths. About 270 km.

7. Night 7: Akureyri

   Iceland's northern capital. About 100 km.

8. Night 8: Borgarnes

   Long drive back west, then on to Keflavík. About 390 km.

Ten days: add these three

With three more nights, slow down rather than adding distance. These are the detours that repay the time.

• Snæfellsnes — Iceland in miniature: volcano, coast, fishing villages.
• Húsavík — The best whale watching in the country.
• Seyðisfjörður — The most beautiful fjord detour in the east.

Realistic driving times

The speed limit is 90 km/h on paved rural roads and 80 on gravel, but you will average far less: photo stops, single-lane bridges, sheep and wind all slow you down. Budget 1.5 hours per 100 km in summer and 2 hours in winter, and never plan more than 300 km on a winter day.

Should you do the loop in winter?

Between November and March, the full circle is possible but tight — daylight is short and a single storm can close the east for a day. A better winter plan is Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and the South Coast as far as Jökulsárlón, then back. See driving in Iceland in winter and road conditions.

Booking the nights

Rural Iceland has few rooms and they sell out months ahead for summer. Book the whole chain before you fly, in route order, and keep each night flexible where you can.

Browse all 27 Iceland destinations or read where to stay on the Ring Road.