Driving in Iceland During Winter

Winter driving in Iceland is a different experience from summer driving. The daylight hours are short (as few as 4 to 5 hours in December), the roads can be covered in ice and snow, storms can appear with little warning, and the wind can make driving feel like a contact sport. None of this means you should not drive in winter. Some of Iceland's most extraordinary experiences, including northern lights, ice caves and snow-covered landscapes, are only available in winter. But you need to be prepared.

This guide covers everything specific to winter driving. For general driving advice (road rules, rental tips, speed limits), see our complete driving guide.

Is It Safe to Drive in Iceland in Winter?

Yes, provided you take the right precautions. Thousands of visitors drive safely in Iceland every winter. The roads are well-maintained, the infrastructure is good, and Icelanders are experienced winter drivers who are generally patient with cautious tourists.

That said, winter driving in Iceland demands more attention, more caution and more flexibility than summer driving. You need to accept that your plans may change based on weather, and that is not a failure. It is smart travel.

The Essential Rule: Check Road.is Every Day

This is not optional. Every morning before you drive anywhere, check road.is (Vegagerðin, the Icelandic Road Administration). The site shows:

Which roads are open, passable with caution, or closed
Current driving conditions by region (green = easy, yellow = difficult, red = very difficult or closed)
Wind speed, temperature and visibility

The site is available in English and updates in real time. Bookmark it on your phone. If a road shows as "difficult" or worse, seriously reconsider your plans for the day. The Icelandic authorities close roads for good reason.

Also check vedur.is (the Icelandic Met Office) for weather forecasts and storm warnings. Storms can develop quickly and with ferocity that visitors from milder climates do not expect.

What Type of Car Do You Need?

A 4WD with winter tyres is strongly recommended for all winter driving outside of Reykjavík. Studded tyres are legal in Iceland from November 1 to April 14, and many rental companies offer them as standard or as an option during winter months.

A 2WD can technically handle the Ring Road in good conditions, but "good conditions" are not guaranteed on any given day. One unexpected snowfall or ice patch changes everything. The 4WD and winter tyres are an investment in safety.

See our car rental guide for detailed advice on choosing a vehicle and insurance.

Daylight Hours

This catches many visitors off guard. Winter daylight in Iceland is extremely limited:

October: 10 to 12 hours of daylight
November: 7 to 9 hours
December: 4 to 5 hours (around the winter solstice, the sun rises around 11:15am and sets around 3:30pm)
January: 5 to 7 hours
February: 8 to 10 hours
March: 11 to 13 hours

This means that any long drives need to be carefully timed. If you are driving the south coast from Reykjavík to Vík in December, you may have only a few hours of daylight for what is normally a casual drive. Start early (before dawn if necessary) and plan your stops around the available light.

The low sun angle also means that when the sun is up, it can sit directly on the horizon and create blinding glare, especially on snow-covered roads. Sunglasses are essential even in winter.

Common Winter Hazards

Black ice: The most dangerous hazard. Roads that look dry can be coated in a thin, invisible layer of ice, especially on bridges, overpasses and shaded sections. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and brake gently.

Snow and slush: The Ring Road and main highways are ploughed regularly, but secondary roads may take longer to clear. Fresh snow on the road reduces traction significantly.

Wind: Icelandic winter wind is extraordinary. Gusts of 80 to 120 km/h are not unusual, and they can push a car sideways on the road or rip open a car door. If winds are forecast above 20 m/s (72 km/h), consider not driving. At these speeds, even experienced Icelandic drivers stay home.

Reduced visibility: Blowing snow, fog and sudden whiteout conditions can reduce visibility to near zero. If you cannot see the road, pull over safely and wait. Do not try to push through.

Single-lane bridges: These are challenging enough in summer. In winter, with reduced visibility and icy approaches, they require extra caution. Slow down well in advance.

Winter Driving Tips

Drive slowly. The speed limit is the maximum in perfect conditions. In winter, safe speeds are often well below the posted limit. Other drivers will understand
Keep headlights on at all times (this is law year-round in Iceland)
Leave extra following distance. Stopping distances on ice or snow can be 3 to 10 times longer than on dry pavement
Fill up fuel whenever you can. If a storm closes roads, you may be waiting in your car for a while. A full tank means heat
Carry emergency supplies. Warm blankets, extra clothing, food, water, a phone charger, a torch, and an ice scraper
Clear all snow and ice from your car before driving. Windows, roof, lights, number plate. All of it
Know how to use your 4WD system. If your rental has selectable 4WD modes, learn what they do before you need them
Park facing into the wind to reduce the risk of doors being ripped off
Download offline maps in case you lose mobile signal in remote areas

Which Routes Are Feasible in Winter?

Generally accessible (with caution):

Route 1 (Ring Road): Usually kept open and ploughed, though sections may close temporarily during storms. The south coast section (Reykjavík to Vík) is the most reliably passable
Golden Circle: Paved and maintained. Usually fine in winter
Reykjavík to Akureyri via Route 1: Passable but long (approximately 5 hours in good conditions, potentially much longer in winter)

Sometimes problematic:

Snæfellsnes Peninsula: The mountain passes (Öndverðarnes, Fróðárheiði) can close in storms. Have a backup plan
Westfjords: Mountain roads frequently close in winter. Some communities can be cut off for days. Only attempt with serious winter driving experience and a solid 4WD
The stretch from Egilsstaðir to Akureyri (via Öxi pass or the longer coastal route): The Öxi pass closes frequently

Not accessible in winter:

All F-roads (highland roads): Closed from roughly October to June
Many roads in the Eastfjords interior

What to Do If You Get Stuck

Stay with your car. It is your shelter. Do not try to walk for help unless buildings are clearly visible nearby
Call 112 (Iceland's emergency number). Give your location as precisely as possible
Keep the engine running for heat, but check that the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow (carbon monoxide risk)
Put on your hazard lights so other drivers and rescue services can find you
Use the 112 Iceland app. It can send your GPS coordinates to emergency services

Is a Guided Tour Better in Winter?

For nervous or inexperienced winter drivers, guided tours are genuinely worth considering. You get the experiences (northern lights, ice caves, south coast) without the stress of driving. Tour operators have experienced drivers, heavy-duty vehicles, and local knowledge about conditions.

This is not a cop-out. Many Icelanders take buses or tours in winter rather than driving themselves. The weather demands respect, and there is no shame in letting someone experienced handle the wheel.

For a comparison of self-driving vs guided options, see our tours guide.