The Ring Road + More (by Campervan)

Itinerary created by

Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson

What you’ll do

Are you ready for a fun road trip full of sightseeing, hiking, and camping around Iceland’s Ring Road? This 10-day itinerary will not only take you around the Ring Road but also to the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Reykjavik! A few optional detours are provided as well. I have provided my best recommendations to see as much of Iceland as possible within 10 days.

This itinerary is built for people traveling in a campervan, prioritising self-made meals, and limiting pricey excursions. I have included several alternate ideas to make your trip more or less luxurious based on your budget. You can easily follow this itinerary if you are driving a regular rental car as well, simply book accommodations near my suggested campsites.

Ideal for spring, summer, and early autumn trips to Iceland, this itinerary does not require a 4x4/4wd campervan. From mid-October to April, I recommend renting 4x4/4wd for easier driving on snowy and icy roads but outside of those months, most roads will be fine in a 2wd. There are no F-Roads included in this itinerary.

I do not recommend following this itinerary from November - February because the amount of daylight combined with winter driving conditions will require too many edits and considerations.

There are a mix of long and short days but no more than 4 total hours on the road on any given day. Included in the daily descriptions are ideas for making long days less cumbersome and short days more interesting. I have also included important details and recommendations for when to leave your campsite each morning and when to book scheduled activities and excursions (always book in advance).

Since so much of your time will be spent in a campervan, be sure to check weather and road conditions frequently. Even in summer, strong storms can cause major problems for travelers. If you are driving a motorhome or other tall vehicle, it is extremely important to know wind speeds and how to avoid toppling over.

I hope you have an amazing road trip in Iceland full of fun experiences and unforgettable moments.

Day Total

231.9 km (144.1 mi)

3 hr 33 min

View Route in Google Maps

VELKOMIN TIL ÍSLANDS! Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, pick-up your luggage and find the agent with a ‘Rent.is’ sign. There will be an agent at the airport every 10 to 15 minutes.

Once you have your new home on wheels, head to the nearest grocery store to stock up on food for the coming days. You will have additional opportunities for grocery shopping throughout your trip but I recommend buying enough items to get you through the next 3 or 4 days.

For your first true Icelandic experience, bathe in a geothermal hot spring! If you’re looking to get close to nature, hike alongside a geothermal river, Reykjadalur, and hop in the warm flowing waters at the top of the trail. Or, if you prefer a more luxurious and iconic experience before sleeping in a van for the next 10 days, visit Blue Lagoon (I suggest making your reservation at Blue Lagoon approximately 3 hours after your flight arrives. Blue Lagoon has a 1-hour grace period in case you are running late.).

Then, head to the famous Golden Circle, a region full of impressive sights! Start at Þingvellir National Park where there are several cool things to check out. If you are short on time, stick to the highlights, Almannagjá, the path between tectonic plates, and Öxarárfoss, the waterfall.

Move onto a bright blue waterfall and if you still have the energy, feel free to get a head start on tomorrow’s itinerary by visiting Geysir and Gullfoss before setting up camp at Úthlíd.

Timing Details:

Total Driving Time - up to 3 hours, 30 minutes, depending on which hot spring you visit
Estimated Outing Time - approximately 10 hours (from arriving at Keflavík to checking in at Úthlíd)

Alternate Recommendations:

Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, today’s plans may be too ambitious. If you arrive in the morning or around midday, you won’t have a problem getting to Úthlíd for the night. However, if you arrive later in the day, consider staying the night near the airport and beginning this itinerary on the following morning, your first FULL day in Iceland.