Route 1 or the Ring Road is a national road in Iceland that runs around the
Route 1 or the Ring Road is a national road in Iceland that runs around the

island and connects most of the inhabited parts of the country. The
island and connects most of the inhabited parts of the country. The

total length of the road is 1,332 kilometres. Some of the most popular
total length of the road is 1,332 kilometres. Some of the most popular

tourist attractions in Iceland, such as the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
tourist attractions in Iceland, such as the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss

waterfalls, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, are also on or near the Ring
waterfalls, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, are also on or near the Ring

Road. The ring was completed in 1974,
Road. The ring was completed in 1974,

coinciding with the 1100th anniversary of the country's settlement when the
coinciding with the 1100th anniversary of the country's settlement when the

longest bridge in Iceland, crossing the Skeiðará river in the southeast, was
longest bridge in Iceland, crossing the Skeiðará river in the southeast, was

opened. Characteristics
opened. Characteristics

For almost all its length, the road is two lanes wide: one lane going in each
For almost all its length, the road is two lanes wide: one lane going in each

direction. Where it passes through larger towns, the number of lanes may be
direction. Where it passes through larger towns, the number of lanes may be

increased, as also in the Hvalfjörður Tunnel. Many smaller bridges are single
increased, as also in the Hvalfjörður Tunnel. Many smaller bridges are single

lane, especially in eastern Iceland, and constructed of wood and/or steel. The
lane, especially in eastern Iceland, and constructed of wood and/or steel. The

road is paved with asphalt for most of its length, but there are still
road is paved with asphalt for most of its length, but there are still

stretches in eastern Iceland with an unpaved gravel surface. The Iceland Road
stretches in eastern Iceland with an unpaved gravel surface. The Iceland Road

Administration, Vegagerðin, oversees the maintenance and building of both main
Administration, Vegagerðin, oversees the maintenance and building of both main

roads and minor roads. Although paved, some portions of the
roads and minor roads. Although paved, some portions of the

road are still the original 1940s country roads, and contain hazards such
road are still the original 1940s country roads, and contain hazards such

as blind curves and blind summits, single lane bridges, and narrow passes.
as blind curves and blind summits, single lane bridges, and narrow passes.

In winter, icy roads and sheer winds, 15 m/s for cars with trailers, 25m/s for
In winter, icy roads and sheer winds, 15 m/s for cars with trailers, 25m/s for

cars without trailers, can make travel hazardous, as elsewhere in Iceland.
cars without trailers, can make travel hazardous, as elsewhere in Iceland.

Currently, 32 km out of the 1,332 km are unpaved.
Currently, 32 km out of the 1,332 km are unpaved.

The maximum speed on most of the road is 90 kilometres per hour, and 80
The maximum speed on most of the road is 90 kilometres per hour, and 80

kilometres per hour on gravel. = Driving in winter =
kilometres per hour on gravel. = Driving in winter =

Almost all of Route 1 has winter service, mainly snow removal, but some
Almost all of Route 1 has winter service, mainly snow removal, but some

parts are not kept open in the winter: most notably Breiðdalsheiði, between
parts are not kept open in the winter: most notably Breiðdalsheiði, between

Breiðdalsvík and Egilsstaðir in the east; although it is kept open in
Breiðdalsvík and Egilsstaðir in the east; although it is kept open in

spring, summer and autumn. Instead, travelers use the somewhat
spring, summer and autumn. Instead, travelers use the somewhat

sinuous coastal route via Reyðarfjörður using Routes 96 and 92 to travel between
sinuous coastal route via Reyðarfjörður using Routes 96 and 92 to travel between

these places. This is also an option in the summer, since Route 1 between these
these places. This is also an option in the summer, since Route 1 between these

places is only 10 kilometres shorter than 92 and 96, but the latter is paved
places is only 10 kilometres shorter than 92 and 96, but the latter is paved

the whole way. = Natural hazards =
the whole way. = Natural hazards =

Route 1 crosses a few glacial outwash plains, such as Skeiðarársandur, which
Route 1 crosses a few glacial outwash plains, such as Skeiðarársandur, which

make road construction difficult. In addition, the Skeiðarársandur plain is
make road construction difficult. In addition, the Skeiðarársandur plain is

subject to frequent glacial outburst floods during or after Grímsvötn
subject to frequent glacial outburst floods during or after Grímsvötn

eruptions. Bridges and other stretches of road over the plains have had to be
eruptions. Bridges and other stretches of road over the plains have had to be

rebuilt as a result. = Traffic =
rebuilt as a result. = Traffic =

Traffic on the road varies considerably between locations: in and near Reykjavík
Traffic on the road varies considerably between locations: in and near Reykjavík

it is around 5,000–10,000 vehicles per day, but the stretches farthest away
it is around 5,000–10,000 vehicles per day, but the stretches farthest away

from larger towns see fewer than 100 vehicles per day on average.
from larger towns see fewer than 100 vehicles per day on average.

The Ring Road is popular with tourists since it covers most of the country and
The Ring Road is popular with tourists since it covers most of the country and

many sights of interest are not far from it. It has been an especially popular
many sights of interest are not far from it. It has been an especially popular

tour with Icelandic families on summer vacation, but in recent years the route
tour with Icelandic families on summer vacation, but in recent years the route

is becoming more popular with foreigners who either rent a car or bring their own
is becoming more popular with foreigners who either rent a car or bring their own

on the ferry to Seyðisfjörður. Sections
on the ferry to Seyðisfjörður. Sections

The route goes by many names depending on location. The following table shows
The route goes by many names depending on location. The following table shows

road names in a clockwise direction from Reykjavík.
road names in a clockwise direction from Reykjavík.

= Major links = Route 1 includes a number of bridges and
= Major links = Route 1 includes a number of bridges and

a few tunnels. The most notable are: Hvalfjörður Tunnel
a few tunnels. The most notable are: Hvalfjörður Tunnel

Almannaskarð Tunnel Vaðlaheiði Tunnel
Almannaskarð Tunnel Vaðlaheiði Tunnel

List of cities and towns on Route 1 Travelling clockwise from Reykjavík, the
List of cities and towns on Route 1 Travelling clockwise from Reykjavík, the

following communities and settlements are located on Route 1.
following communities and settlements are located on Route 1.

Reykjavík Mosfellsbær
Reykjavík Mosfellsbær

Borgarnes Bifröst
Borgarnes Bifröst

Blönduós Akureyri
Blönduós Akureyri

Reykjahlíð Egilsstaðir
Reykjahlíð Egilsstaðir

Breiðdalsvík Djúpivogur
Breiðdalsvík Djúpivogur

Höfn Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Höfn Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Vík í Mýrdal Skógar
Vík í Mýrdal Skógar

Hvolsvöllur Hella
Hvolsvöllur Hella

Selfoss Hveragerði
Selfoss Hveragerði

Gallery References
Gallery References

External links Gateway to Iceland
External links Gateway to Iceland

Official Icelandic Road Administration Driving in Iceland
Official Icelandic Road Administration Driving in Iceland

Photos from Iceland Ring Road Iceland’s Ring Road: The Ultimate Road
Photos from Iceland Ring Road Iceland’s Ring Road: The Ultimate Road

Trip Iceland Meteorology Bureau
Trip Iceland Meteorology Bureau

Umferðarstofa - Road Traffic Directorate Wikimedia Atlas of Iceland
Umferðarstofa - Road Traffic Directorate Wikimedia Atlas of Iceland