One of the best ways to see Iceland is by driving the Ring Road (the highway that loops around the entire country).
And if you’re planning your trip, chances are you’ve looked at the map and wondered: “Hmmm… how long does it take to drive around Iceland?”
Technically, you could circle the island in about 17 hours of straight driving (road and weather conditions permitting). But that number doesn’t tell the whole story, because this is definitely NOT a day trip!
The real question is how much time you should spend on the Ring Road if you actually want to enjoy it.
That’s where this guide comes in! 🙌
I’ll break down realistic timelines, share what you can see with different trip lengths, and help you figure out the best pace for your adventure, without overstuffing your itinerary.
So get comfy, because your trip planning is about to get a whole lot easier.
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- How Big is Iceland + What is the Ring Road?
- How to Get Around Iceland
- Factors That’ll Impact Your Itinerary
- Choosing the Best Iceland Itinerary for You
- What About an Iceland Winter Itinerary?
- What if I Don’t Have a Full Week?
- What to Expect from My Iceland Itineraries?
How Big is Iceland + What is the Ring Road?
Even though Iceland is 40,000 square miles (103,000 km²) from coast to coast, only around 20% is actually inhabited.
The famous Ring Road is Iceland’s main highway, which circles the country; it’s also known as Route 1.
Most of the major regions of Iceland are accessible via the Ring Road, like the South Coast, East, North, and West Iceland.
Many of the most popular tourist attractions are on or near the road, so it’s easy to see why everyone wants to drive it!
The Ring Road Distance: How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Iceland?
Before you hit the road, let’s break down the basics: how far you’ll actually be driving and how long it might take.
How many miles is the Ring Road in Iceland? It’s 828 miles (1333km).
How many hours to drive around Iceland? It would take you around 17 or 18 hours of non-stop driving to cover the Ring Road (‘ain’t nobody doing that!).
How long YOU should take to drive the Ring Road depends on a few things: how much time you have, how much you want to see, and how you want to experience the country.
More on that in a bit…
How to Get Around Iceland
If you want to circle the Ring Road and truly experience all the stops, driving yourself is by far the best way to do this.
While there are buses and tours you can take to get around Iceland, you don’t have the flexibility that renting a car gives you.
The Ring Road is full of incredible places you’ll want to linger at a little longer.
If you want to pull over for a hidden hot spring or take a quick detour, go for it!
Nothing beats having control over your own schedule.
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Plus, being a local company, they really know the roads, and their 24/7 roadside assist gives you that extra piece of mind when you’re traveling through this beautiful country.
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Factors that’ll Impact Your Itinerary
Planning a Ring Road trip is exciting… and the map makes it look simple, just one big loop around Iceland.
But, how long does it take to drive the Ring Road?
Well… it depends. (I know, annoying answer, but stick with me!)
The truth is, your timeline isn’t just about distance on a map; it’s about how you want to experience Iceland.
These questions will help shape your Ring Road itinerary:
Your travel planning style: Do you want a done-for-you itinerary or would you rather map everything out yourself?
Fast paced vs. slow traveler: Do you want to cover as much ground as possible, or spend more time soaking in each place?
Summer or winter: In summer, you have more daylight hours to explore. That’ll affect how much you can realistically fit into a day.
Solo traveler or family trip: Traveling with kids or a group changes your pace, priorities, and even what’s possible to see.
I highly recommend checking out this blog post for more details.👇
➡️ READ: 5 Important Questions To Ask Yourself When Planning Your Iceland Itinerary
Choosing the Best Iceland Itinerary for You
Having a timeline is super helpful when planning your Ring Road trip. That’s why I’ve included driving times for each leg of the journey in all of my Iceland itineraries.
You can see how long it will take to drive around Iceland and plan your days without feeling rushed.
Can You Drive Around Iceland in 7 Days?
One week in Iceland is honestly not that long, and before you know it, you’ll be wiping your eyes and boarding the plane back home.
That said, you CAN drive the Ring Road in 7 days.
But know this…
It’s going to be a fast-paced itinerary, with a lot of time behind the wheel.
7 days is really the minimum I’d suggest, and it works best in summer when you have long daylight hours on your side.
If your goal is to see as much as possible in a short amount of time, and you don’t mind the busy pace, then this can be a great option for you.
It’s especially good if you have limited vacation days and want to check off as many bucket list stops as possible while hitting all the major sights along the Ring Road.
👉 Your game plan: 7-Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
There’s no time to waste, so you’d better know where you’re going! 😉
Instead of guessing how far you can realistically drive each day, this itinerary lays it all out for you with pinpoint locations on a digital map and suggested stops. It’s a clear plan for hitting all the highlights in one week.
7-Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
$125
From where to stop, stay, and even grab a scrumptious Icelandic hot dog on the way to your next epic location – consider this itinerary your key to an effortless Iceland adventure.
You can finally say goodbye to evenings spent scouring through travel forums and blog posts, trying to get up-to-date and accurate information. .
(We actually did this route during our honeymoon – I recapped it if you want to get more of an insider look into our week-long Ring Road itinerary.)
A More Relaxed Iceland Ring Road Trip: 10 Days
If you have a bit more vacation time and want an experience that feels less rushed, a 10-Day Ring Road Itinerary is the sweet spot.
Drive days will be shorter, you’ll be able to spend more time at each spot, and really make the most of each experience without rushing.
This kind of itinerary is ideal for families or groups.
(Exploring Iceland with kids is a whole different pace than if you’re traveling solo, and it comes with its own surprises!) 😊
It’s also great for photographers who need to wait for perfect lighting and weather! Or anyone who hates rushing, to be honest.
👉 Your game plan: 10-Day Iceland Itinerary: Ring Road, Golden Circle + Snæfellsnes Peninsula
What I love about this itinerary is that it sneaks in some awesome extras, like the famous Golden Circle, but at a more relaxed pace.
The scenic Snæfellsnes Peninsula (aka “mini Iceland”) is part of the trip too. It’s called that because it’s basically Iceland in a nutshell. You’ll get to see glaciers, fjords, waterfalls, lava fields… basically the things that make Iceland… Iceland. ☺️
The Dream Trip: 14 Days or More
I know not everyone has two weeks to spend on vacation, but if you do, this is the dream trip!
With 14 days or more, you can explore extra regions and even take detours to the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Having more time also means the flexibility to adjust when the weather acts up and enjoy slower days or extra downtime.
👉 Your game plan: 14-Day Iceland Itinerary: Ring Road, Golden Circle, Snaefellsnes Peninsula + Westfjords
I love that this itinerary builds in the Westfjords. It’s one of the most remote parts of Iceland, but also one of my absolute favorites!
You’ll get the chance to wander through charming little villages and towns that many visitors skip, and there are a lot of hot springs to discover along the way.
What About an Iceland Winter Itinerary?
Winter in Iceland is magical, but it comes with its challenges.
Icy roads, snow, unpredictable storms, and shorter days that cut into your exploration time and cause delays are pretty common.
How long would it take to drive around Iceland in winter, then?
If you ask me, I wouldn’t recommend trying to do it in less than 9 days. For a realistic winter Ring Road trip, I suggest planning 9-11 days.
That gives you a buffer for weather hiccups and enough time to actually enjoy the journey instead of white-knuckling it from one stop to the next.
The good news is that winter comes with its own perks: fewer crowds, dreamy landscapes, and of course… the Northern Lights! 🙌
💥Your game plan: 9-Day Iceland Itinerary For Winter: Ring Road + Golden Circle
Having a winter done-for-you itinerary maps out exactly what is still accessible.
For a 9-day trip, you can tackle the Ring Road and Golden Circle. Alternatively, try the 11-day Ring Road, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
If you don’t have 9 days, you can still do a 5-day Golden Circle + South Coast or a 7-day winter itinerary that also includes the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
My winter itineraries are built with seasonal challenges in mind, and honestly, they’re a lifesaver, especially if it’s your first time driving in Iceland’s winter conditions.
What if I Don’t Have a Full Week?
Don’t stress if you don’t have a full 7 days.
Heck, even if you have a stopover in Iceland, you can still experience something memorable.
You really don’t need to tackle the ENTIRE Ring Road.
If your time is limited, just pick a region (or two) and enjoy it properly instead of racing from stop to stop.
If you’ve only got 5 days, stick to the Golden Circle + South Coast (waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches). Or just focus on driving the Golden Circle to the Glacier Lagoon.
Either way, if you’ve got less than a week, don’t force the Ring Road.
Focus on seeing a few places well, and trust me, it’ll be way more fun!
What to Expect from My Iceland Itineraries
No matter how much time you have, you can still have an amazing trip!
The best part about a done-for-you itinerary? You don’t have to do any of the hard work.
Everything has been laid out, tried, and tested for you. All you need to do is show up and enjoy the ride.
I get asked all the time how long it takes to drive around Iceland, and that’s exactly why I created these itineraries.
They cut out the guesswork and give you a clear plan to follow (or tweak however you want).
That way, you can realistically plan each day without stressing.
That being said…
They are flexible.
Follow them exactly, or tweak them to your heart’s content. Stay a little longer at one spot, skip another, mix it up… It’s not set in stone.
I’ve designed each itinerary so you know exactly where to go, how long to stay, estimated driving times, plus restaurant and accommodation recommendations.
You’ll hit all the must-see attractions, discover hidden gems, and get a Google digital map with every location pinned.
It literally could 👏 not 👏 be 👏 easier.
Pick an itinerary, open it up, and go!
Happy Planning!
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