An Iceland road trip is probably one of the most epic trips you can take in Europe. Iceland is simply perfect as a road trip destination, and the landscape on this small volcanic island in the Atlantic is absolutely spectacular. There are waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and a highland region where you’ll feel like you’re on the moon.
How long should you plan for your Iceland road trip? That depends on how much you want to see and how much time you have. On this page, we compare our three tried-and-tested routes – 7, 14, and 21 days – so you can find the right one for you straight away. Each route has its own detailed travel guide with a day-by-day itinerary, map, and all the details.
Last updated: July 2026
Which Iceland Route Fits You?
Duration: 7–10 days
Distance: approx. 1,180 km
Best for: Short trips, first-time visitors, limited time
Highlights: Golden Circle, Jökulsárlón, Stokksnes
Duration: 14–16 days
Distance: approx. 2,270 km
Best for: Circling the whole island plus a real highland adventure
Highlights: Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll, the Highlands
Duration: 21–23 days
Distance: approx. 3,795 km
Best for: Seeing pretty much everything
Highlights: Westfjords, Snæfellsnes, the full Highlands
What Do You Actually Miss on the 7-, 14-, or 21-Day Route?
On the 7-day route, there’s simply no time for the Highlands or the Westfjords – you’ll stick to the south and part of the Golden Circle. On the 14-day route, you can drive the full Ring Road and add a highland detour, but there’s usually no time left for the remote Westfjords or extended rest days – the schedule stays fairly tight. Only with 21 days do you have enough buffer to spontaneously add an extra day somewhere without throwing off the rest of the plan.
What Do the Different Iceland Routes Cost?
Total costs depend heavily on accommodation and vehicle choice, but as rough per-person estimates (rental car, accommodation, food, excluding flights):
- 7-day route: approx. €900–1,400
- 14-day route: approx. €1,800–2,600 (a 4×4 for the Highlands pushes the price up)
- 21-day route: approx. €2,700–3,800
You’ll find the full cost breakdown in our Iceland cost guide.
Who Is Each Route Best For?
- 7 days: Perfect for a first visit to Iceland, a short getaway, or if you want to test whether the country is for you before coming back for longer.
- 14 days: The most popular choice – you get the entire Ring Road plus a real highland experience without the trip turning into a rush. Ideal if you want to experience Iceland “in full.”
- 21 days: For anyone who’s already been to Iceland, loves photography, or wants to get off the beaten path – the Westfjords are the big bonus here.
Does the Season Affect Which Route You Should Choose?
Yes, significantly. The 14- and 21-day routes only work in summer (June–August), since the highland tracks are closed the rest of the year. The pure 7-day South Coast route, on the other hand, can also be driven in winter – without the Highlands, but with a chance at the Northern Lights and accessible ice caves in January/February.
Iceland Travel Tips
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, it’s worth keeping a few travel tips in mind. Some things are – besides the scenery – very specific to Iceland. That includes rental cars, the weather, and regions like the Highlands. Here are a few important Iceland tips to get you started.
Rental Cars for Iceland
Generally, we like booking rental cars worldwide through German providers. Unfortunately, they don’t offer campervans or rental cars with rooftop tents. You also won’t find highland-capable vehicles there.
For that, you need to look at Icelandic providers instead. A specialized price comparison site for rental cars in Iceland is northbound.is*. There you’ll find everything from small economy cars, to SUVs with rooftop tents, to large 4x4s and campervans.
With Northbound, you can cancel any booking for free up to 48 hours before pickup. That’s always handy if your travel plans change unexpectedly. We were completely satisfied with the booking, the car, the whole process, and Northbound’s support, and can only recommend booking with them.
Car Rental at the Iceland Specialist with Years of Know-How:
Northbound.is
Northbound.is- compares all Icelandic car rental providers
- specialized in Iceland roundtrips and the highlands
- specialized insurances for the rough Iceland available
- free cancellation up to 48h before start of rental period
- normal rental cars, campervans, motorhomes, SUV (also with roof tent) & off-road vehicles available
Find The Best Prices for Iceland Rental Cars at northbound.is*
Important Travel Tips for Your Iceland Road Trip
Iceland is a very particular destination – not just because of the unbelievably beautiful scenery, but also because the climate and road conditions are quite unique. It’s practically always windy and often stormy. And of course, it rains a lot too.
And although the Ring Road that circles the island is paved almost the entire way, the roads in the adventurous Highlands are a completely different beast.
As you can tell, there’s quite a bit to consider before heading out on your first Iceland road trip. To make trip planning easier, we’ve written a separate article covering the most important Iceland travel tips:
Iceland Road Trip in 7 Days
If you only have a week for an Iceland road trip, trying to circle the entire island is unrealistic and stressful – instead, you should stick to the south. That’s not a problem at all, since South Iceland is packed with highlights like the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon or the black sand beach at Stokksnes.
7–10 days · approx. 1,180 km · Best time: June–August (summer), January/February (Northern Lights & ice caves)
This route gives you a great overview of Iceland’s stunning landscape and will leave you hungry for your next Iceland trip.
7-Day Iceland Road Trip | Full Itinerary with Day-by-Day Plan & Map
Iceland Itinerary for 14 Days
It’s entirely possible to circle the island once during a 2-week Iceland road trip while still hitting most of the highlights, since the Ring Road loops around the island and most of the highlights sit right along it. But if you also want to drive through Iceland’s spectacular Highlands, finding the right route for a 14-day trip isn’t quite so simple.
14–16 days · approx. 2,270 km · Best time: June–August
While researching our 14-day Iceland itinerary, we checked which highland tracks are drivable with a standard 4×4, and built an Iceland route that includes the Highlands based on that.
14-Day Iceland Road Trip (incl. Highlands) | Full Itinerary with Day-by-Day Plan & Map
Iceland Road Trip in 21 Days
On a 3-week Iceland road trip, you can discover almost every sight this incredible island has to offer. You won’t just drive Iceland’s Ring Road once – you’ll also visit special corners like the remote Westfjords or the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
21–23 days · approx. 3,795 km · Best time: June–August
Our 3-week Iceland itinerary follows a classic Ring Road route and adds detours to fantastic highlights like the Westfjords and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
21-Day Iceland Road Trip (with Highlands) | Full Itinerary with Day-by-Day Plan & Map
FAQ: Planning an Iceland Road Trip
How many days should you plan for an Iceland road trip?
For a first taste, 7–10 days in the south is enough. If you want the full Ring Road plus the Highlands, plan for 14–16 days. For everything, including the Westfjords, you’ll need 21–23 days.
Do you need a 4×4 for an Iceland road trip?
A regular rental car is fine for the Ring Road. As soon as you want to head into the Highlands (part of the 14- and 21-day routes), a 4×4 is mandatory.
What’s the best time of year for an Iceland road trip?
June through August for all three routes, since that’s when the highland tracks are open. For the pure 7-day South Coast route, January/February is also an option thanks to the Northern Lights and accessible ice caves.