Route 1, also called the Ring Road, is Iceland's main national road and loops around the country.

What a short Reykjavik-based trip lets you see

Keflavik International Airport is about 47 km from Reykjavik, about a 45 minute drive.

The Golden Circle is a round trip that starts and ends in Reykjavik. Its three main stops are Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.

Thingvellir National Park is about 48 km from Reykjavik, about a 45 minute drive. Gullfoss is about 123 km from Reykjavik, about a 1 hour 50 minute drive.

Why a full loop of the country takes longer

Use the Driving Distance Calculator to help plan your trip.

The Ring Road is more than 1,300 km long and is paved for its full length. It does not go through the Westfjords, the Snaefellsnes peninsula or parts of North-East Iceland, which are reached by side roads.

The speed limit is 90 km/h on paved rural roads, 80 km/h on gravel rural roads, and 50 km/h in urban areas, unless signs state otherwise.

Akureyri in the north is about 382 km from Reykjavik by road, about a 5 hour 35 minute drive without stops. Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is about 380 km from Reykjavik, about a 5 hour 30 minute drive without stops.

The town of Hofn is about 445 km from Reykjavik, about a 6 hour 25 minute drive one way. Isafjordur in the Westfjords is about 415 km from Reykjavik, about a 6 hour 10 minute drive without stops.

How daylight and season change how much you can fit into each day

The Golden Circle can be visited all year round.

Winter driving conditions can occur in spring and autumn as well as winter. Drivers should choose a speed that suits the conditions.

In winter, conditions are seldom good enough to drive at the speed limit. Drivers should check the weather and road conditions several times a day.

Matching your trip length to what you actually want to do

The village of Vik on the south coast is about 188 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour 50 minute drive without stops.

Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes peninsula is about 173 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour 35 minute drive. The Snaefellsnes peninsula is often called Iceland in miniature.

Comparing Reykjavik-based tours to build a trip the right length

You can compare Reykjavik tours to see the current options.