An Epic Road Trip (by Campervan)

Itinerary created by

Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson

What you’ll do

Are you ready for an epic road trip sightseeing, hiking, and camping your way around Iceland’s Ring Road? This two-week itinerary will not only take you around the Ring Road but also to the Golden Circle, Landmannalaugar (Highlands), Westman Islands, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Reykjavik! I have provided my best recommendations to see as much of Iceland as possible within 14 days.

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

Ideal for summer trips to Iceland, this itinerary also requires a 4x4/4wd campervan. Two of the days will have you driving on F-Roads which are usually open from late-June through September. If F-Roads are closed during the time of your trip and/or you do not have a 4x4/4wd vehicle, be sure to skip days 2 & 3.

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

220.6 km (137.1 mi)

3 hr 23 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 food 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 two weeks, visit Blue Lagoon (make your reservation at Blue Lagoon for 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.

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 11 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 shouldn'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 the itinerary the following morning, your first FULL day in Iceland.