Iceland Winter Road Trips & Driving Guide

Driving in Iceland during winter is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the country - but it’s also one of the most challenging. With short daylight hours, icy roads, and sudden weather changes, preparation is everything. This guide covers choosing the right rental car, understanding F-roads, navigating Iceland’s road network, staying connected with Wi-Fi, the best websites and apps for weather and safety, and suggested winter road trip routes.

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Choosing the Right Car for Winter

1. Always choose a 4x4 or AWD vehicle

• Winter in Iceland means snow, slush, and icy roads — even along the main Ring Road. A 4x4 or all-wheel-drive SUV is the safest option.

• Even if you aren’t planning to drive mountain roads (F-roads are closed in winter), a 4x4 gives better traction and stability.

• Popular winter choices: Dacia Duster, Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Land Rover Defender (for more rugged travel).

2. Tires matter

• By law, all rental cars in winter must have winter tires. Ask for studded winter tires, which offer the best grip on ice.

• Confirm at pickup — don’t just assume they’re on the car.

3. Insurance you should add

• Gravel Protection: Gravel is everywhere, and chipped windshields are common.

• Sand & Ash Protection: South Coast winds can sandblast paint.

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Reduces liability in case of an accident.

• Tip: Even Icelanders say “don’t skimp on insurance” — weather can be unpredictable.

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Best Car Rental Companies

• Blue Car Rental → Locally owned, highly rated, known for transparent pricing and great customer service.

• Lotus Car Rental → Offers newer vehicles, 24/7 service, and extras like free Wi-Fi (this is the company we used).

• Go Car Rental Iceland → Flexible terms, unlimited mileage, and easy pick-up/drop-off.

• Sadcars → Budget option with older vehicles, but less recommended for harsh winter conditions.

• Hertz / Avis / Europcar → Reliable international companies, but often more expensive than locals.

👉 Tip: Book early for winter — especially SUVs. Prices go up quickly as supply is limited.

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Staying Connected on the Road

1. Portable Wi-Fi (MiFi device)

• Many rental companies offer portable Wi-Fi devices for around $8–10 USD per day.

• Benefits: unlimited data, multiple devices can connect, works even in rural areas (coverage depends on mobile networks).

2. SIM Card

• Buy a prepaid SIM card from Síminn, Vodafone, or Nova at Keflavík Airport or Reykjavík.

• Síminn has the best nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas.

• Expect to pay about 2,000–3,000 ISK ($15–22 USD) for a starter pack.

3. Offline Maps

• Download offline maps on Google Maps or Maps.me before leaving Reykjavík.

• Cell service can drop in the Westfjords, Highlands, and Eastfjords.

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Understanding Roads & F-Roads

• Ring Road (Route 1): The main highway circling Iceland. Open year-round, but icy in winter. Most major attractions are accessible from it.

• Secondary Roads: Can be gravel or poorly maintained in winter. Drive slowly.

• F-Roads (Mountain Roads): These lead into the Highlands and are completely closed in winter (usually mid-September through late June). Even 4x4s cannot use them.

• Tip: Never follow Google Maps onto a closed road — use road.is to check road status before you go.

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Best Websites & Apps for Weather & Road Conditions

• Road.is → Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration. Shows real-time road conditions, closures, live webcams, and driving difficulty (marked in colors: green = clear, blue = slippery, red = dangerous).

• Vedur.is → Icelandic Met Office. Weather forecast including wind, storms, snow, and aurora activity.

• SafeTravel.is → Official travel safety site. Lets you submit your travel plan (so rescuers know your route), check alerts, and get safety tips.

• My Aurora Forecast App → Good for combining aurora hunting with weather checks.

• Google Maps + Offline Maps → For navigation, but always verify with road.is.

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What to Pack in Your Car for Winter Driving

• Warm blankets & extra layers (in case you get stuck).

• Thermos with hot drinks + snacks.

• Portable phone charger & car charger.

• Ice scraper & snow brush (should come with rental).

• Headlamp or flashlight (essential with limited daylight).

• Reflective vest & emergency triangle (provided in all Icelandic rentals).

• A printed map as backup if GPS fails.

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Daylight & Timing

• In December, Iceland has only 4–5 hours of daylight. In February and March, you’ll get 8–10 hours.

• Plan your drives around sunrise and sunset. Don’t attempt long drives in complete darkness unless you are very confident driving in icy conditions.

• Tip: Use short days for nearby sightseeing (Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls) and longer days (late winter) for East Iceland or longer routes.

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Recommended Winter Road Trips

1. Golden Circle (1 day)

• Reykjavík → Þingvellir → Geysir → Gullfoss → Kerið Crater → back to Reykjavík.

• Roads are well-maintained and easy to drive in winter.

2. South Coast (2–3 days)

• Reykjavík → Seljalandsfoss → Skógafoss → Vík → Jökulsárlón → Diamond Beach → Höfn.

• One of the most beautiful winter drives. Stay overnight in Vík or Höfn to avoid long night drives.

3. Snæfellsnes Peninsula (1–2 days)

• Reykjavík → Kirkjufell → Arnarstapi → Djúpalónssandur → Snæfellsjökull National Park.

• Stunning coastlines, fishing villages, and volcanoes.

4. Northern Lights Road Trip

• Base yourself in Reykjavík, Vík, or Akureyri and drive out nightly based on aurora forecasts. Use apps + road.is to pick the clearest skies.

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Quick Safety Tips

• Always check road.is + vedur.is before driving.

• Keep both hands on car doors when opening in strong winds.

• Fill up your gas tank often — some stretches have no stations for 100+ km.

• If conditions are bad, wait them out. Even locals don’t drive in storms.

• Leave extra time — rushing in icy conditions is the #1 cause of accidents.