Iceland 14-day road trip: Ring Road and Highlands route
This 14-day Iceland road trip covers 1,129.5 km across the Ring Road and Highlands, featuring volcanic landscapes, glacial lakes, and geothermal areas. The route includes stops at major attractions like Fagradalsfjall volcano, the Golden Circle, Landmannalaugar, and iconic waterfalls such as Gullfoss and Skógafoss.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Basic info before the trip
- End
- Day 13 - Snæfellsnes
- Stops
- 10
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Basic info before the trip
- Day 1 - Volcano & Reykjavik
- Day 3 - Kerlingarfjoll — Geothermal mountain area in central Iceland featuring rhyolite peaks, colorful mineral deposits, and hot springs surrounded by striking alpine terrain.
- Day 4 - Landmannalaugar
- Day 8 - Vestrahorn to Seydisfjordur — Dramatic coastal mountain formations in southeast Iceland leading to a charming fishing village nestled between steep fjord walls with colorful Nordic architecture.
- Day 9 - Studlagil Canyon to Dettifoss — Basalt canyon with turquoise glacial waters and Europe's most powerful waterfall, showcasing Iceland's raw geological forces and cascading water power.
- Day 10 - Myvatn
- Day 11 - Godafoss to Hvitserkur — Majestic waterfall and iconic offshore rock pillar on Iceland's north coast, representing dramatic natural power and distinctive basalt formations in northern waters.
- Day 12 - Westfjords
- Day 13 - Snæfellsnes
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- You need a 4x4 vehicle for this trip unless you cut out the F-road sections. A small Suzuki Jimny is capable but uncomfortable on Ring Road; a Dacia Duster offers more comfort and is often more affordable.
- Transport
- Use Northbound car rental aggregator to compare prices from all major car rental companies in Iceland, from regular cars to larger 4x4s like Land Cruiser.
- Timing
- Best time to visit Iceland is summer between mid-June to early September when it's warmest and most attractions are accessible, including F-roads and multi-day tracks.
- Tip
- Check three essential websites: vi.is for accurate weather updates, road.is for road conditions and F-road opening status, and safetravel.is for general country updates. All have phone apps.
- Transport
- Use Google Maps for navigation throughout the entire trip. Gas stations are plentiful along the Ring Road.
- Food
- At Golden Circle, consider stopping at freetimer for lunch options.
- Tip
- Visit Haruno natural hot spring early morning or late evening for the best chance to have the place to yourself, away from main roads.
- Tip
- At Landmannalaugar, you can leave your car at nearby parking and cross via small wooden bridge if the river crossing is too deep depending on season and weather.
- Tip
- For Studlagil Canyon, use the closer parking area just across the small wooden bridge to substantially cut walking distance.
- Transport
- The itinerary can be done clockwise or counterclockwise; the creator prefers counterclockwise.
- Save money
- For accommodation budget, opt for campgrounds or hostels instead of hotels to substantially cut costs. Total trip cost in late June was $3,400 including car rental and accommodations.
- Tip
- Check safetravel.is for latest volcano conditions updates, as volcano accessibility and conditions are always changing.
Video on this route
How to Spend 14 Days in Iceland - A Road Trip Itinerary