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

How distances and driving times work on Iceland's Ring Road

The Ring Road is more than 1,300 km long and is paved for its full length. Route 1 is Iceland's Ring Road.

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. Single-lane bridges remain on parts of the Ring Road, and the car closer to the bridge has the right of way.

Driving times from Reykjavik to the main South Coast stops

The town of Selfoss is about 59 km from Reykjavik, about a 1 hour drive.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is about 128 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour drive one way with no stops. Skogafoss waterfall is about 29 km east of Seljalandsfoss, about a 30 minute drive.

The village of Vik is about 188 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour 50 minute drive without stops. The South Coast between Reykjavik and Vik follows Route 1.

How far the glacier lagoon and eastern towns are from Reykjavik

Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park is about 327 km from Reykjavik, about a 4 hour 45 minute drive without stops.

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is about 380 km from Reykjavik, about a 5 hour 30 minute drive with no stops. The town of Hofn is about 445 km from Reykjavik, about a 6 hour 25 minute drive one way.

Driving distances to Keflavik Airport, the Golden Circle, the north and the west

Keflavik International Airport is about 47 km from Reykjavik, about a 45 minute drive. The Blue Lagoon is about 50 km from Reykjavik, about a 50 minute drive.

Thingvellir National Park, the first Golden Circle stop, is about 48 km from Reykjavik, about a 45 minute drive. The Geysir geothermal area is about 115 km from Reykjavik, about a 1 hour 45 minute drive. Gullfoss waterfall is about 123 km from Reykjavik, about a 1 hour 50 minute drive.

The northern town of Akureyri is about 382 km from Reykjavik by road, about a 5 hour 35 minute drive without stops. Lake Myvatn is about 465 km from Reykjavik by road, about a 6 hour 50 minute drive without stops.

Egilsstadir in east Iceland is about 631 km from Reykjavik by the year-round route through the north, about a 9 hour 15 minute drive without stops.

The town of Borgarnes is about 76 km from Reykjavik, about a 1 hour 15 minute drive. Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes peninsula is about 173 km from Reykjavik, about a 2 hour 35 minute drive. Isafjordur in the Westfjords is about 415 km from Reykjavik, about a 6 hour 10 minute drive without stops.

How to turn distances into realistic driving times with buffer

Quoted driving times are no-stop minimums, so photo stops, meals, fuel, and viewpoints add substantial time on sightseeing days. Weather, wind, and reduced winter daylight can slow driving well below the posted speed limit.

Use the Driving Distance Calculator to help plan your trip.

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