Driving in Iceland in winter: our complete guide

Here’s our complete guide to driving in Iceland in winter:

Level of difficulty
Safety
Rules of conduct
Road conditions

And we’ve included plenty of photos to give you a better understanding, to decide on your travel option and to prepare yourself.

This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content

Driving in Iceland in winter: is it a good idea?

Quick response:

If you have experience driving on roads in winter conditions, absolutely, this is a great idea.
Otherwise, it depends on your driving skills and comfort level. Read this article to find out how you measure up to the conditions.
Above all, check out the road closures on the website: Umferdin.

For

More freedom in your itinerary than if you joined an organized tour
Little traffic outside Reykjavik in winter, making it easier to get around.
Most main roads are open throughout the winter, paved and regularly cleared of snow.

Counter

You need to be able to drive in snow and on icy patches, as well as cope with Iceland’s legendary winds.
It’s impossible to really know the conditions in advance. You can see the road closures on the website Umferdin, but not how icy it is
It adds stress to your trip

The video

Here’s our video (old brand) to give you an idea of what to expect:

Renting a car in Iceland in winter

If you decide to drive, it’s important to make the right choices for your car.
See all our tips for renting a car in Iceland.

If you’re ready to choose, check out the great offers directly on our preferred DiscoverCars platform for the big brands and some local ones, or the GuidetoIceland platform with more local brands.

For the car:

Don’t choose tiny cars, they won’t hold the road as well.
4WD brings safety and comfort, but is not compulsory
Normally they all have snow tires, but check carefully.

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Road trip guide Iceland winter eBook Cover

Is winter driving in Iceland dangerous?

It’s more dangerous than in summer, especially if you’ve never driven in winter conditions. But the most important thing is to understand the dangers so you can prepare for them.
Here’s a list of conditions to understand before hitting the road in winter in Iceland.

The roads are well maintained, but conditions can change rapidly: snow and ice can accumulate in a short space of time, and wind is the worst enemy. It is sometimes very strong, with gusts.

Snow piles

Iceland is used to snow. All over the country, they have the equipment and teams needed to clear roads quickly and frequently.
But sometimes there’s so much wind pushing the snow onto the road, it feels like a losing battle.
Clusters can form. That’s why you mustn’t drive too fast, to be able to react and shift.

Ice

Icy conditions are more problematic because they are less visible. Ice can form quickly at night or after rain, especially black ice. Despite the preparation of the roads, black ice still forms regularly.
The best option is to maintain safe distances, avoid sudden manoeuvres, and don’t drive too fast.
Take particular care if you leave early in the morning, before the heat of the traffic has reduced the icy conditions.
Snow tires are your best friends.

Wind

But the most surprising danger is the wind. It can surprise you all of a sudden with a gust and send you veering off the road, especially after a bend or a pass.
Roads are sometimes closed because of the wind. Keep an eye out for signs indicating wind hazards and the opening of mountain passes.

If you are pushed and slide to the side of the road, turn your vehicle so that you are head first in the snow at the side of the road, rather than being pushed to the side and tipping over.

Darkness

In winter, days are fairly short (4 to 5 hours of daylight in December and January), a little longer in late February and early March.
If you want to see a lot of places when it’s light out, you’ll have to do a bit of driving at night.
This reduced visibility increases the risk of accidents, especially on poorly lit rural roads. Darkness can be disorientating, making it difficult to judge distances and road conditions.
Once again, slow down and stay alert.

Rennes

In summer, sheep are the biggest danger on these Icelandic roads – but you won’t see them in winter.
However, you can have reindeer crossings in the eastern fjords. This happens quite frequently, so be careful when you see a reindeer not far from the road.

It’s very rare, but you can also have polar foxes bursting out from under the wheels. As they turn white in winter, it’s not easy to see them.

Single-lane bridges

Even on Route 1, many bridges are reduced to a single lane. Many signs indicate this change in condition in advance.
Slow down well in advance.

WHERE TO STAY IN Iceland

Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:

Where to stay in Iceland (coming soon)
Where to sleep in Reykjavik (coming soon)
Best 5-star hotels (coming soon)
Where to sleep on the South Coast (coming soon)
Where to sleep on the Golden Circle (coming soon)
Where to sleep on the Snaefellsnes peninsula

Where to stay on the Island in winter

Advice for these winter conditions: 8 safety tips!

1. Choosing the right vehicle

Make sure you rent a car from a reliable agency. We love Lava Car Rental, which has great deals on our favorite DiscoverCars platform.
And be sure to check the condition of your tires before you set off, and every morning of the trip.

2. Check road conditions

Check road conditions every day before you leave and recommendations on the official website Umferdin. Make sure there isn’t too much wind or other difficulties preventing you from reaching your destination.
It’s also a good idea to ask the locals at the hotel for advice.

Beautiful open road in Iceland in winter

3. Slow and steady wins the race

This is no time to test your driving skills.
For greater safety, keep your pace slow and steady.
Above all, don’t make any sudden steering or braking movements.

And if the wind or ice increases, don’t hesitate to stop and wait for better conditions.

4. Increase distances

Don’t hesitate to leave more distance between you and the other cars around you.
If you have a problem, or they have a problem, you’ll have a better chance of adapting to the situation.

6. Do not load your itinerary

In winter, the days can be very short. Don’t plan too much for each day, so you don’t feel rushed and are tempted to speed up.

7. In-car equipment

Make sure you have everything you need in case you’re stuck for a few hours waiting for the snowplow. It’s rare, but possible.

water and food
flashlight
a charger or additional battery for your phone
survival blankets – something we always carry when traveling. You never know what can happen on the road. They don’t take up much space, and they’re great for heating.

8. Watch videos

Before you leave, watch online videos that give you plenty of advice on how best to react when driving on snow or ice.

Bonus tips (car but not driving)

Hold the car door: Iceland’s winds are legendary. When the wind is blowing, you have to be very careful when getting in and out of your car!

And fill up regularly!

UNFORGETTABLE ACTIVITIES IN winter

Visit an ice cave
Glacier hiking
Whale watching (from Reykjavik, Husavik or Akureyri)

Iceland’s winter roads

Route 1

Most of the time, you’ll be driving on the ring road (route 1). It takes you all the way around Iceland, with one lane in each direction (with the exception of a few single-lane bridges).
Most of the time, it’s quite easy to drive on this road, which is frequently clear. And there’s a lot of traffic, which melts the snow.

Conditions vary widely. You can have a completely clear road and, a few kilometers later, be driving on a thin layer of snow. Always be ready for anything.

Secondary tourist routes

To reach certain attractions and regions, you’ll need to take secondary roads. They are paved and have one lane in each direction.
They are normally cleared fairly quickly, especially if they lead to tourist attractions. But sometimes it takes a little longer.

The roads have yellow posts on the side to indicate the limit when you can’t see them well in winter.

How to get there

Access roads to the best-known attractions are usually quickly cleared. In less touristy areas, gravel access roads are often snow-covered. You’ll be surprised by the conditions at each location.

Route F closed

F-roads (4WD trails) are not maintained in winter. These roads are even closed.
They normally open between mid-June and September.

Driving in Reykjavik in winter (and in other cities)

Driving in Reykjavik in winter is no problem at all. The roads are clear. Don’t forget to pay for parking!

Options if you don’t want to drive

If you’ve never driven on snow before, I wouldn’t recommend starting out in Iceland.
You have 2 options:

stay in Reykavik and book day trips – see our favourites
book a multi-day guided tour, such as this 8-day small-group tour (to relax and enjoy the scenery).

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Rules of conduct

The main rules

Drive on the right side of the road
Seatbelts are compulsory for all
Alcohol limit = almost 0
Lights must be on at all times
Do not use a cell phone while driving
Most car rental companies require you to be at least 20 years old (or 23 for a 4WD) – check the rules carefully.
Don’t forget your international driver’s license

Road signs

The road signs are self-explanatory and classic. They are black on a yellow background.
Speed limits, road numbers and town names are clearly indicated.