Self-Drive Trips of Iceland's Ring Road

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Iceland is best enjoyed at your own pace, and a self-driving tour lets you spend the time where you want. With 1 week or more you can tackle the full Iceland Ring road, or spend some time focusing on the highlights in a few regions, such as the West, South Coast, remote Westfjords, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, or Interior. 

Summer brings large crowds to the south coast, and we recommend spending your time exploring more remote regions and small villages far from the crowds where you can enjoy Iceland on your own terms. 

Our local specialists will help you put together the perfect plan for your interests, arranging all details and crafting a detailed driving itinerary for each day of your trip.

Want to explore the best that Iceland has to offer? Get started by describing your ideal trip and we'll connect you with a local specialist to plan out the details.

Iceland Travel Insights

Explore Iceland on a road trip of a lifetime
Map of Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland & the Remote Westfjords - 14 Days
Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland & the Remote Westfjords - 14 Days

With two weeks in Iceland, you can complete the entire Ring Road and add incredible detours. This grand tour will take you to all the best places giving you plenty of time to hike, explore, and soak it all in. This 14-day itinerary covers all the major regions except the highlands, which you can see with a couple more days or by spending less time in some of the areas below.

Iceland
Map of Where To Go in Iceland: The Best Sights & Activities Region by Region
Where To Go in Iceland: The Best Sights & Activities Region by Region

Don't just stick to the Golden Circle and South Coast. You may see some great sights, but you'll spend a lot of time in lines and waiting for people to get out of your pictures. To see a side of Iceland that fewer travelers see, spend some time in Snaefellsnes, the Westfjords, or the North of the country. You'll appreciate more of Iceland's beauty and culture than you can by sticking to the most-visited areas.

Colorful sunset on Reynisfjara black sand beach, Iceland
Map of 1 Week in Iceland - 4 Unique Road Trip Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Iceland - 4 Unique Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

With seven days in Iceland, hit the road and explore the incredible wonders farther afield from Reykjavik. Explore a variety of landscapes: volcanoes and lava fields, green pastures and farmlands, scenic vistas above fjords, beaches of every color, glaciers and ice caves, and the rugged interior. Here are our recommended drives, an option for all travelers and seasons.

Walk behind Seljalandsfoss on the South Coast
Map of 3 Days in Iceland: Blue Lagoon, South Coast & Reykjavík - 3 Days
3 Days in Iceland: Blue Lagoon, South Coast & Reykjavík - 3 Days

If you're short on time or looking for an extended layover on your way from Europe to North America or vice versa, your options in Iceland are limited to those closer to Reykjavík. Here is a three-day itinerary that will still let you experience some of the spectacular beauty of Iceland.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Iceland
Travel specialist Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
active 4 hours ago

Guðmundur Óli Pálmason

Born in Reykjavík, Iceland, and from a young age I was already travelling all over Iceland with my parents. After a short stint as a driver guide on modified SUVs in 2004, I came back to it full...

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Travel specialist Emanuela Grieco
active 9 hours ago

Emanuela Grieco

I am an Italian Travel Designer mostly based in Iceland. Traveling has been my passion since I was young, being always fascinated by other cultures and people. In 2005, after living and...

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Travel specialist Hanna Kravchenko
active 6 hours ago

Hanna Kravchenko

I'm originally from Ukraine, but I've always been fascinated by the beauty of the Nordic countries. My passion for travel began with my first solo adventure at the age of 16, and since then I have...

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Travel specialist Èric D
active 11 hours ago

Èric D

A while ago I was lucky enough to get a job in Iceland, and I must admit, I was completely unaware of what was ahead of me when I first set foot in the country. Working in the tourism industry...

read more...
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Trip Reviews for Iceland

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Perfectly Crafted Honeymoon Adventure!
Iceland | Jan 12 - Jan 19, 2026

J
Jenna C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 23, 2026
Our local specialist, Gummi, created the most amazing itinerary for our honeymoon. After our initial call, he tailored the trip to be perfect for us. Every stop was organized, timed perfectly, and completely worthwhile to see! We can't even pick the most favorite activity or waterfall or site we saw. He also checked in with us during the trip to make sure we were okay, and gave us heads up for the Northern Lights forecasts. We also overslept one morning and he rearranged our activity to give... Read more

Our local specialist, Gummi, created the most amazing itinerary for our honeymoon. After our initial call, he tailored the trip to be perfect for us. Every stop was organized, timed perfectly, and completely worthwhile to see! We can't even pick the most favorite activity or waterfall or site we saw. He also checked in with us during the trip to make sure we were okay, and gave us heads up for the Northern Lights forecasts. We also overslept one morning and he rearranged our activity to give us some more time. We are unbelievably grateful to him for the trip and had the most amazing time.
10/10 recommend Gummi. 10/10 recommend Iceland.

Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Jan 23, 2026

Thank you for the kind words Jenna
I am so happy to read your honeymoon was such a success. After all, a honeymoon isn't just any ol' trip.
I do hope we'll see you in Iceland soon again :)
Gummi

Read all Iceland reviews

easy to navigate southern Iceland adventure
Iceland | Dec 30 - Jan 4, 2026

Stephanie
Stephanie O.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jan 18, 2026
Trip was easy to plan with Guðmundur. Beautiful scenery and great guides. Crystal Caves with Siggi was particularly good- one of 4 tour companies that can drive on the glacier provided the best possible experience. The accommodations were all very comfortable, safe, clean, warm and ideally situated for the purpose of our trip, which was seeing the Northern Lights (which we did) Read more

Trip was easy to plan with Guðmundur. Beautiful scenery and great guides. Crystal Caves with Siggi was particularly good- one of 4 tour companies that can drive on the glacier provided the best possible experience. The accommodations were all very comfortable, safe, clean, warm and ideally situated for the purpose of our trip, which was seeing the Northern Lights (which we did)

Hotel Reviews
Alda Hotel Reykjavík
Reykjavík

Ideal location in the heart of the city. Easy to walk everywhere, a parking garage nearby, and parking in front to unload your luggage. Comfortable, warm, excellent room.

Authenticity & Character
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Hótel Grímsborgir by Keahotels
Ásborgir

Great spot with shared hot tubs for each building. We were there for a great new year's eve meal. Loved it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Panorama Glass Lodge West Iceland

Really special experience. Maybe a little tight, but a great spot to see the northern lights, and even if it's cloudy you can hang out in the hot tub or sauna. Easy to get food nearby, truly private lodges, absolutely wonderful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
ATV to Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck
ATV to Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck
Iceland

Easy ride, no need to have any experience. They take care of everything and just give you great views.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave Small Group Adventure
Iceland

Truly excellent. We watched groups struggle on the glacier dealing with the wind and cold- we only had fun. Siggi is one of 4 companies that can drive on the glacier and that made this an incredible expereince. Loved getting into the ice. So pretty.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Siggi was so interesting and knowledgeable- we learned more about Iceland from him than any other source
Transport
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
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Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Jan 19, 2026

Thank you so much for the amazing review. I am so happy to read how happy you were with the trip. Yes, Siggi is a special guy! So special indeed, that when my wife and I got married in an Ice cave, there was nobody else I trusted to take us there and arrange everything,
I hope to see you in Iceland soon again!
So, shall we start planning your return? haha

Gummi

Read all Iceland reviews

So many beautiful places
Iceland | Dec 26 - Jan 2, 2026

Melissa
Melissa B.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2026
We felt like we were able to see many of the Gems Iceland had to offer. We acknowledge we had a bit of luck when it came to the weather, it was an incredible experience. New Year's Eve was amazing, we could not get enough of the fireworks and the energy in the city. Read more

We felt like we were able to see many of the Gems Iceland had to offer. We acknowledge we had a bit of luck when it came to the weather, it was an incredible experience. New Year's Eve was amazing, we could not get enough of the fireworks and the energy in the city.

Activity Reviews
Hvammsvik Hot Springs (& Nature Reserve)
Hvammsvik Hot Springs (& Nature Reserve)
Iceland

a little crowded but gorgeous!

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Iceland

Beautiful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Èric D
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Èric
Èric D
Local specialist in France / Iceland | Replied on Jan 15, 2026

Hi Melissa!

Thank you for your glowing review! Planning the trip for your two families was an absolute pleasure, and it's so rewarding for me as a specialist to hear you got so much out of it. I'm glad you had such a good time in New Year's Eve too! The weather is indeed a matter of luck, and yes - you were on the lucky side :-)

Wishing you all the best,
Èric

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Why travelers love kimkim

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