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Iceland Ring Road — 6 Days

8days
31stops
1513km
DAY01

Keflavík Airport → Gullfoss

115 km · 1h 47m driving · Overnight in Gullfoss
  1. 09:00
    Keflavík Airport· start
  2. 45 km · 45m
  3. 11:00
    Þingvellir
  4. 60 km · 50m
  5. 13:30
    Geysir
  6. 10 km · 12m
  7. 15:30
    Gullfoss· overnight
Accommodation
Hella / Hvolsvöllur
Where to eat
  • Friðheimar Tomato Farm · Tomato soup in a greenhouse, fresh-baked bread, cucumber martinis. Book ahead.
  • Kaffi Krús Hella · Homemade cakes and lamb soup. Cozy pit stop before the south coast.
  • Selfoss Geyser Bistro · Quick burgers and fish & chips. Gas station adjacent, surprisingly decent.
Today's costs
Rental car (4x4, 6 days)
$720
Fuel (day 1)
$35
Þingvellir parking
$8
Lunch at Friðheimar
$45
Dinner & supplies
$40
Lodging
$220
DAY02

Seljalandsfoss → Reynisfjara

126 km · 1h 55m driving · Overnight in Reynisfjara
  1. 09:00
    Seljalandsfoss· start
  2. 1 km · 5m
  3. 10:30
    Gljúfrabúi
  4. 30 km · 25m
  5. 12:00
    Skógafoss
  6. 35 km · 30m
  7. 15:00
    Reynisfjara· overnight
Accommodation
Vík í Mýrdal
Where to eat
  • Gamla fjósið (Skógar) · Converted barn serving local lamb and Arctic char. Warm, rustic atmosphere.
  • Sudur-Vík · Wood-fired pizzas and Icelandic beers. Vík's best dinner option, book ahead.
  • Skool Beans (Vík) · Vintage bus coffee roastery. Excellent flat white and cinnamon rolls.
Today's costs
Fuel
$30
Parking at Skógafoss
$8
Lunch at Gamla fjósið
$55
Dinner at Sudur-Vík
$70
Lodging
$260
DAY03

Skaftafell → Diamond Beach

129 km · 3h 15m driving · Overnight in Diamond Beach
  1. 08:30
    Skaftafell· start
  2. 3 km · 45m
  3. 12:00
    Svartifoss
  4. 55 km · 50m
  5. 14:30
    Jökulsárlón
  6. 1 km · 10m
  7. 16:30
    Diamond Beach· overnight
Accommodation
Vík í Mýrdal
Today's Bites
  • Freysnes gas station · Unexpectedly good lamb stew and skyr cake. Only option for 100km.
  • Humarhöfnin · Langoustine feast in Höfn — worth the 80km evening drive if you have energy.
Daily Spend
Glacier hike tour
$110
Zodiac boat (optional)
$95
Lodging
$260
Food
$75
Fuel
$40
DAY04

Fjallsárlón → Seyðisfjörður

315 km · 5h 15m driving · Overnight in Seyðisfjörður
  1. 09:00
    Fjallsárlón· start
  2. 120 km · 2h
  3. 12:00
    Lækjavik coast
  4. 50 km · 1h
  5. 14:00
    Djúpivogur
  6. 70 km · 1h 15m
  7. 16:30
    Seyðisfjörður· overnight
Accommodation
Seyðisfjörður or Egilsstaðir
Today's Bites
  • Hildibrand · Seyðisfjörður's best restaurant — Arctic char and local mushrooms.
  • Bakaríið á Brúnni · Morning cinnamon rolls in Egilsstaðir if you fuel up early.
Daily Spend
Lodging
$230
Food
$65
Fuel
$55
Road toll (Vaðlaheiði)
$0
Coffee/snacks
$15
DAY05

Studlagil → Mývatn Nature Baths

218 km · 4h 20m driving · Overnight in Mývatn Nature Baths
  1. 09:00
    Studlagil· start
  2. 95 km · 1h 45m
  3. 12:30
    Dettifoss
  4. 50 km · 1h 15m
  5. 15:00
    Námafjall
  6. 8 km · 20m
  7. 16:30
    Mývatn Nature Baths· overnight
Accommodation
Reykjahlíð (Mývatn)
Today's Bites
  • Vogafjós · Farm restaurant with cows visible through glass. Geothermal bread and smoked trout.
  • Daddi's Pizza · Reykjahlíð's surprisingly good wood-fired pies. Local hangout.
Daily Spend
Lodging
$245
Nature Baths entry
$45
Food
$70
Fuel
$50
Road snacks
$12
DAY06

Hverfjall → Goðafoss

75 km · 1h 40m driving · Overnight in Goðafoss
  1. 09:00
    Hverfjall· start
  2. 12 km · 20m
  3. 10:30
    Dimmuborgir
  4. 8 km · 15m
  5. 13:00
    Grjótagjá
  6. 45 km · 50m
  7. 16:00
    Goðafoss· overnight
Accommodation
Reykjahlíð (Mývatn)
Today's Bites
  • Gamli Bærinn · Local lamb and fish in wooden farmhouse. Mývatn's most atmospheric dinner.
  • Kaffi Borgir · Lunch buffet with lake views. Quick fuel for crater climbing.
Daily Spend
Lodging
$245
Food
$75
Fuel
$25
Cave entry
$0
Coffee/cake
$15
DAY07

Akureyri → Kirkjufell

305 km · 5h 45m driving · long drive · Overnight in Kirkjufell
  1. 10:00
    Akureyri· start
  2. 95 km · 1h 45m
  3. 13:00
    Hofsós
  4. 85 km · 1h 30m
  5. 15:30
    Hvítserkur
  6. 70 km · 1h 15m
  7. 17:00
    Kirkjufell· overnight
Accommodation
Grundarfjörður or Ólafsvík
Today's Bites
  • Bautinn · Akureyri's best burger and local beer. Industrial-chic atmosphere.
  • Gamla Rif · Fresh fish in Rif village, near Kirkjufell. Small portions, big flavors.
Daily Spend
Lodging
$215
Food
$70
Fuel
$60
Pool entry
$10
Toll (Vaðlaheiði)
$0
DAY08

Arnarstapi → Keflavík Airport

230 km · 3h 55m driving · long drive
  1. 09:00
    Arnarstapi· start
  2. 15 km · 25m
  3. 11:00
    Vatnshellir
  4. 75 km · 1h 15m
  5. 13:30
    Ytri Tunga
  6. 120 km · 1h 45m
  7. 16:30
    Keflavík Airport
Accommodation
N/A — departure
Today's Bites
  • Rauða Húsið · Eyrarbakki's famous lobster soup. Worth the 15-min detour from Ring Road.
  • Keflavík airport · Last hot dog at 10-11 or café before security.
Daily Spend
Cave tour
$35
Fuel
$50
Food
$45
Blue Lagoon (optional)
$75
Rental return
$0
Heads Up
  • Day 7: 7h 12m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 8: 5h 45m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 8: Ytri Tunga → Keflavík Airport flight transit only 3.0h — allow ≥5h door-to-door