Road network

Iceland has no motorways. All driving centers on Route 1, the Ring Road, a paved highway of roughly 1,322 km that circles the island. Several sections narrow to a single lane with passing places. Beyond Route 1, F-roads are unpaved highland tracks requiring four-wheel drive; they involve river crossings and are closed from approximately October through June. Taking a standard car onto an F-road is illegal under most rental agreements. Iceland has no land borders, so all drivers arrive by air or sea and begin from their arrival point. There are no general toll roads. The Vadlaheidi tunnel in the north uses electronic tolling and requires online registration before use; fees change over time, so check current rates before travel.

Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on paved rural roads, and 80 km/h on gravel. Headlights are required at all times. Winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to April 14, with studded tires permitted during that period. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, the minimum driving age is 17, and the emergency number is 112. Fuel stations can be more than 200 km apart on remote stretches, so fill up whenever the opportunity arises. Popular routes include the Golden Circle day loop from Reykjavik, the south coast to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and the remote Westfjords. Sheep roam freely across roads throughout the island in summer, and a collision with one is the driver's legal responsibility.