Guide to Navigating Icelandic Roads and Conditions

 

If you’re thinking of getting a car rental in Iceland and then hitting the road, there are a few things you’ll need to know before you get behind the wheel.

The road systems in Iceland can be confusing for those who’ve never visited the country. Meanwhile, the road conditions can be challenging, whether it’s due to snow, rain, wind or ice during the winter months, or due to sand, gravel or generally steep and curvy roads any other time of year. These conditions change quickly and often, too, so even if you think you have everything under control, that can change in an instant.

Luckily, Lava Car Rental, as a local company run by Icelanders, is dedicated to keeping our visiting travellers safe. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the roads in Iceland. Whether you’re visiting Iceland for the first time or just visiting Iceland for the first time in a particular season, here’s everything you need to know before you pick up your car rental in Iceland and then get out on the road.

  Rent your Car in Iceland 

Overview of the Icelandic Road System

Firstly, let’s go over the different types of roadways in Iceland. There are four main types of roads in Iceland.

 

Paved roads 

The first type of road in Iceland is probably the most familiar to you: paved roads. While these roadways aren’t everywhere in the country, they are found in most of the high-traffic areas of the island. If you plan on just staying in the more crowded, tourist-centric areas, you’ll usually only encounter paved roads.

For example, if you decide to take a Ring Road road trip, which will take you to most of the top sites in Iceland, you’ll stay primarily on paved roadways. The 828-mile, 1,332-kilometre road encircles the entire island and passes through many towns, cities, villages and landmarks. The speed limit is 90 kilometres per hour, or 55 miles per hour, in less-populated areas and 50 kilometres per hour, or 30 miles per hour, in urban areas. Speed limits may vary and change further due to factors like road construction.

Note that we said you’ll primarily stay on paved roadways, though. While the road is largely well-maintained, you may occasionally run into an unpaved section.

Still, even if you are on a paved roadway, whether you’re on the Ring Road, in Reykjavik or Keflavik, or in South Iceland, do note that you’ll still need to remain alert and attentive. The roadways can still become hazardous under certain conditions, such as during inclement weather, which can pop up with little warning in the winter.

Difficulty level: Typically, we’d rate paved roads in Iceland as easy to navigate. Again, though, there are hazards and many of these arise just because travellers aren’t quite as attentive as they should be. For example, maybe they didn’t pay attention to the weather and so are caught unawares by some strong wind, snow or rain in the winter. Likewise, maybe the weather is great and travellers are just distracted by all the great views and photo ops that come along roadways like the Ring Road.

In short, just be careful and stay focused, no matter where you’re driving in Iceland. If you want to take a photo or take in the views, find a parking area and stop.

 

Regional roads, often gravel roads 

The second type of road in Iceland that you may encounter during your Iceland road trip, is a regional road. Many regional roads are gravel. Regional roads can sometimes connect smaller regions, further away from urban hubs like Reykjavik, as well as natural attractions. It’s not uncommon to find these gravel roads in East Iceland or the Westfjords.

Do note that these regional roads are often not as well-maintained as the paved roads in other parts of the country. Expect varying conditions, including potholes and uneven surfaces. Some of these roads can be steep and narrow as well, making them even more difficult to traverse.

Because of this, it’s very important that you drive slowly and carefully on all regional roads.

Regional roads like these can be further broken down into two categories: two-digit roads and three-digit roads.

• Two-digit roads

Two-digit roads are exactly what they sound like: roads in Iceland that have a two-digit name, like Road 54. These roads jut off from the Ring Road and are usually on the better-maintained side, as far as regional roads go. Despite this, though, they can still be steep or narrow, depending on the area of the country you’re in, so if you’re driving in the winter, you’ll definitely want a 4x4 car. 

• Three-digit roads

Similarly, three-digit roads have a three-digit name, like Road 939. These roads are less-maintained than the two-digit roads. These are the most likely to not be paved and just be dirt or gravel. While you can drive on some of them with a 2WD vehicle, it’s not advised. If the weather turns bad all of a sudden, you’ll wish you’d rented a 4x4 vehicle.

Difficulty level: Regional roads, particularly gravel regional roads, are more difficult to drive on than the paved roads you’ll find around Reykjavik and along the Ring Road. The road conditions are highly variable. You can find a lot of potholes, loose gravel, dirt, uneven surfaces, steep climbs and sharp turns.

If you have experience driving on these types of roadways, though, you should be able to manage them with a 4x4 vehicle. If, though, you’re uncomfortable driving on this type of roadway, it’s not recommended that you try them, and you should especially avoid them during rain or snow.

 

F-Roads

The third type of road in Iceland is the F-road. F-roads are a very special and specific type of roadway in Iceland that you’ll only find when accessing the Highlands. These roads are only open to vehicle traffic for a few months per year, typically mid-June to September. The rest of the year, they’re shut down due to poor conditions and weather.

All F-roads are gravel and some can be very steep and difficult to traverse. Some even have river crossings. Because of this, Icelandic law dictates that you can only drive on an F-road with 4x4 vehicles.

So why would travellers even try to go out on the F-roads? Well, for those who do, they get to enjoy all the majestic beauty, rugged and dramatic landscapes, and superior hiking that can be found in the Highlands during the summer.

Difficulty level: Out of all the roads in Iceland that you’ll encounter as a traveller, the F-roads are one of the most difficult to drive on. F-roads can vary in difficulty, so it’s important to research a particular F-road before you start your journey. Otherwise, you could find the road is much more difficult to drive on than you expected. Additionally, they’re only open during certain months of the year, they’re always unpaved and they often require river crossings. Icelandic law says you must have a 4x4 vehicle if you want to drive on F-roads, as they’re the only types of vehicles that can handle these tough roadways. 

In short, unless you’re a very experienced driver, we don’t recommend that you drive on the F-roads. Even if you do feel confident driving on the F-roads, we don’t recommend that you attempt a river crossing. In fact, if you try to cross a river in a rental car, your rental car insurance could be voided!

 

Tracks 

Lastly, the fourth type of road in Iceland isn’t quite a road — at least it’s probably not like any road you’re accustomed to. Known as tracks, these aren’t F-roads, but they’re not paved either. They’re typically simple, well-worn dirt roads.

As a recognized type of road in Iceland, tracks are legal to drive on, so long as you have a large 4x4 vehicle and the driving conditions and weather aren’t hazardous. While they’re not on Google Maps, you can find tracks using the Iceland Iskort map. Note that if you think you’ve found a track, but it’s not marked as a road on the Iskort map, it’s not actually a track or any roadway at all, so driving there is illegal, as all off-road driving is illegal in Iceland. Typically, tracks are also marked via a metal or wooden sign, and many tracks have names, just like any other road.

Tracks will take you to some local spots or possibly a hut.

Difficulty level: Tracks are even more difficult and unpredictable than F-roads. They’re best left to the locals. If you want to travel somewhere only reachable via track, consider enlisting a local guide.

 

Driving Conditions in Iceland Throughout the Year

You must know about the weather-related driving conditions in Iceland. However, while you might prep yourself by getting to know the general road conditions per season, it’s worth noting that, while there are standard conditions, things can rapidly change.

Even in the summertime, Iceland’s weather can be clear and sunny in the morning, and then you could have heavy rain and wind in the evening. As such, it’s wise to always stay abreast of the weather conditions and forecasts both right ahead of your trip to Iceland and during it. Popular resources include vedur.is.

Here’s what you can expect in general, in each season.

 

Summer driving, June to August

Iceland’s summer season is short, lasting only through June, July and August. Even in the summer, though, the temperature typically only hovers around 5.5 degrees Celsius to 14 degrees Celsius, or 42 degrees to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer in Iceland comes with a lot of sunshine, thanks to the Midnight Sun, which gives you plenty of daylight for driving, better visibility and improved road conditions. Snow is rare, though not impossible, and strong winds and a bit of rain isn’t uncommon.

During the summer, you’ll find most roadways are completely open, including the F-roads. If you want to drive to as many places as possible during an Iceland road trip, summer is the time for it. Just remember that if you do decide to drive on the F-roads or on some of the more challenging Iceland roadways, you still need to be cautious, alert and attentive, even with the more agreeable summer weather.

Additionally, while you might not see snow or ice on the roads in Iceland in summer, you will see a lot of fellow travellers. Summer is the high season in Iceland, so this is when you’ll see the most traffic and have the most trouble finding parking at some most-popular sights.

 

Winter driving, November to March

Winter is an excellent time to visit Iceland, thanks to the beautiful snowy and icy landscapes, the festive holiday season and the magical northern lights. However, winter in Iceland is not for everyone and the weather conditions can require more preparation for both outdoor explorations and driving.

Winter driving in Iceland can be a little bit tricky, due to all the snow and ice. The temperatures typically hover around -10 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius, or 14 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow and snowstorms are pretty common, as are strong winds and ice. These weather conditions typically last from November to March.

During this time, the F-roads in the Highlands are closed, simply because the weather conditions are too bad. Elsewhere in Iceland, the roads can become slippery, especially if you’re in areas where the roads aren’t as well kept up or cleared. While the Ring Road and major roads around the cities are kept very clean, that’s not the case in more rural areas of the country.

Because of all this, as mentioned, you have to take the right precautions before driving in Iceland in the winter. This means only driving a car outfitted with winter studded tires, that give you more traction. All of Lava Car Rental’s cars come outfitted with winter studded tires throughout the season.

It also means renting a 4x4 vehicle. No matter where you’re driving in Iceland, a 4x4 vehicle will give you a larger clearance and greater traction, so you can get around safely in myriad weather conditions.

Additionally, while it’s important to keep an eye on weather and road conditions in Iceland no matter what time of year you’re visiting, it’s even more important in the winter. Road and weather conditions can change quickly. Use websites www.safetravel.is  and www.vedur.is for up-to-date information both before and during your trip.

 

Spring and autumn driving, April to May and September to October

Iceland’s spring and autumn seasons are incredibly short. Spring really only lasts April and May, while autumn only really lasts September and October. The conditions are fairly similar in both seasons.

In spring, the temperatures hover around 1 to 7 degrees Celsius, or 34 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. In autumn, the temperatures hover around 2 degrees to 8.5 degrees Celsius, or 36 to 47.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

In spring, it can be cold and chilly, and snow can still stick around. In the fall, early snow can arrive, but rain is more likely.

During these seasons, the roadways can be unpredictable, depending on the day. You might get a late-season snow storm in spring or an early-season snow storm in the autumn. As such, be prepared for a variety of snow conditions.

For more details to help you plan your trip depending on the specific month of your visit, check out our month-by-month Iceland driving guides:

• Guide to driving in Iceland in January
• Guide to driving in Iceland in February
• Guide to driving in Iceland in March
• Guide to driving in Iceland in April
• Guide to driving in Iceland in May
• Guide to driving in Iceland in June
• Guide to driving in Iceland in July
• Guide to driving in Iceland in August
• Guide to driving in Iceland in September
• Guide to driving in Iceland in October
• Guide to driving in Iceland in November
• Guide to driving in Iceland in December

 

Maps in Iceland: How to Read Iceland Road Maps

For many travellers, Google Maps is the first place they go when driving or even just walking around a new destination. While Google Maps does offer service in Iceland and typically will work just fine, though, it’s not a perfect fit for Iceland driving. Sometimes, Google Maps may be missing some Iceland roads, or the details might not be 100% accurate.

In these conditions, you can rely on some of Iceland’s other map services.

 

Road.is

Road.is is an official Iceland road map resource, and it includes not just maps of most Icelandic roads, including F-roads — it also offers real-time updates of roadways. This is very helpful during the winter, so you can find out if there are weather-related road closures. The only thing missing? Dirt tracks.

 

Iskort

For a road map that shows you dirt tracks and some of the lesser-known roads in Iceland, look to Iskort. This comprehensive resource is a necessity if you plan on traversing to some of the more rural, off-the-beaten-path places in Iceland.

 

_{Photo by Iskort}

Karta GPS

Karta GPS is a mobile app that you can download for free and that works offline. This is a great option if you’re worried that you might be travelling somewhere without internet service. The app offers maps that include many dirt tracks, as well as hiking trails.

 

How to read Iceland road maps

Beyond knowing the various road signs that you’ll find around Iceland, it’s also important that you brush up on the various symbols that your preferred online map uses, to give you vital information about your route. For example, www.road.is uses certain colours to give you information about road conditions.

Using the above key, you can determine roadway conditions at any given time. It’s important to be careful when any road is marked anything other than green, or “easily passable.”

But what exactly does it mean if a road is impassable? Is it truly closed? 

Yes. If a roadway is marked as red, you should avoid it, as it’s impacted by thick snow cover, flooding, landslides or other conditions that make it impossible for a normal vehicle to traverse. It may also be the case that the roads are simply closed for the winter, as is the case with F-roads. If you drive on these roads in these conditions, you may find that you cause injury to both yourself and your vehicle, and your rental insurancemay no longer be valid.

Also note the black roadways in the key above, which indicates that the roads receive no winter service. This means that the roads are not monitored during the winter, so conditions will be highly variable.

 

Navigation and map-reading tips

As you go about following your chosen map app or service in Iceland, make sure that you’re always double-checking that you’re headed to the right place before following your GPS. Sometimes, Iceland locations can have similar names, but be very far apart. Additionally, note that a Google Maps GPS won’t show you road statuses, and that’s why it’s important to always use a GPS alongside www.road.is.

 

Safety Tips for Driving in Iceland

While you may feel comfortable with Iceland’s roadways and getting around the country in general, be sure that your trip is as safe as possible by following the below recommendations for safe driving in Iceland.

 

1. Always follow speed limits and driving regulations.

Take note of the speed limits around Iceland and follow them, to avoid a high speeding fine. Speed limits are normally 90 kilometres per hour on paved roads, or 56 miles per hour; 80 kilometres per hour on gravel roads, or 50 miles per hour; and 50 kilometres per hour in urban areas, or 31 miles per hour.

Additionally, follow basic driving laws such as not driving under the influence, always using your seatbelt and keeping your headlights on at all times.

 

2. Monitor the weather and road conditions.

It can’t be overstated enough. When you’re driving around Iceland, keep an eye on the weather and road conditions using sites like www.road.is and www.vedur.is. Depending on the weather and road conditions, you may decide that a certain time of Iceland is best for you to visit, based on your comfort level and preferences.

 

3. Pack essential equipment for safe driving

When you’re packing for an Iceland trip, especially if you’re driving in the winter or to a remote area, ensure your car is outfitted with basic safety gear such as warm clothing, extra food, extra water, blankets and a flashlight.

 

4. Memorise important phone numbers

Lastly, write down or memorise some of the important phone numbers for driving in Iceland, including:

• Iceland’s emergency number: 112
• The live road conditions inquiry number: 1777
• The auto-reply road conditions inquiry number: 1778

Special Things About Driving in Iceland

If you think that you’ve driven plenty in your life and you can handle Iceland’s roads just fine, pause for a minute and make sure you’re aware of all the things that make Icelandic roads unique — and possibly more challenging.

 

Gravel roads

Gravel roads are relatively common in Iceland. If you don’t have much experience driving on gravel roads, you may be surprised at just how slippery they can be. The gravel doesn’t provide a lot of traction, and you’ll have to go slower, and leave more distance between yourself and other cars, both to avoid accidents as well as to avoid flying gravel that can damage your car.

 

Single-lane bridges and tunnels

Likewise, as you get into remote Iceland, you’ll be more likely to encounter single-lane bridges and tunnels. These must be handled with great care. The car closer to the tunnel or bridge has the right of way.

 

Blind hills and sharp curves

Also in the more remote, rural areas, you’ll find more blind hills and sharp curves. These require a slower speed and greater care to stay in your lane, so that you avoid a collision with oncoming traffic.

 

River crossings

If you’re driving the F-roads, you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle anyway. However, even the right 4x4 vehicle won’t guarantee that you can take on the river crossings that pop up in the Highlands. River crossings can be dangerous both for yourself and your vehicle, so that’s why rental car companies do not provide coverage for this type of driving. If you cross a river and damage ensues, you’ll be paying the bill yourself.   

 

Animals on the road

Sheep and reindeer are just two of the animals you may see on the Iceland roadways. Keep an eye out for them and, if you see them, even just beside the road, slow down and let them pass.

 

Off-Road Driving in Iceland

It’s worth noting that off-road driving is completely illegal in Iceland and if you’re caught off-roading, you’ll likely be charged an expensive fine. This is because off-roading can severely damage Iceland’s delicate landscape, and it can take certain plants and mosses decades to recover after driving over them.

If you really want an off-roading experience, you might want to try F-roads and 4x4 trails that are designated safe for driving. Lava Car Rental offers various 4x4 vehicle options that are suitable for this.

 

Renting the Right Car for Icelandic Roads

Lastly, once you’re ready to get out on the road, make sure that you choose the right rental vehicle. It’s an important decision that you’ll need to make as you’re planning your trip and it can greatly impact your experience in Iceland overall.

 

• Should you get a standard car or a 4x4?

It all depends on your travel season and itinerary. For winter trips to Iceland, we always recommend a 4x4 vehicle for the added safety features and peace of mind. You’ll feel better out on the potentially icy and snowy roadways, with a 4x4 vehicle’s capabilities.

If, though, you’re travelling in the summer, you can easily get around safely with a standard vehicle if you’re sticking to the main highways, such as the Ring Road. If you plan on going to more rural areas, though, you’ll still want a 4x4. As mentioned, if you plan on going to the Highlands and driving on the F-roads, you’ll need a 4x4 vehicle in order to remain compliant with Icelandic law.

Whichever option is right for you, Lava Car Rental offers a wide range of vehicles to suit different driving needs, from economy cars to rugged 4x4s designed for Iceland’s challenging terrain.

 

• What about rental car insurance?

Your Lava Car Rental vehicle will automatically come with standard and gravel insurance if you book your rental directly through the Lava Car Rental website. However, we recommend also purchasing sand and ash protection, as well as tire protection, if you plan on travelling in certain regions. Otherwise, these elements could damage the rental car and you could end up paying the cost. Sand and ash protection, and tire protection, are included in Lava Car Rental’s full protection package. 

Always be sure to thoroughly read any rental car agreement to understand how and when you’re protected.

 

Plan a Safe Road Trip Adventure to Iceland

For your safety and, in general, the most fun road trip around Iceland, it’s important to understand Iceland’s road systems and the road conditions you can expect during the different seasons. With the right preparation and knowledge, you can plan a safe, enjoyable once-in-a-lifetime experience, driving around Iceland’s beautiful scenery.

Lava Car Rental is here to help every step of the way, with our large selection of standard vehicles, 4x4 vehicles and campervans, as well as our comprehensive insurance coverage, and vast Iceland trip planning resources. 

Need more help? Tap into our local expertise and support for travellers, and get in touch today. 

   Rent your Car in Iceland