187 km of the Ring Road from Reykjavík to Vík — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull and Reynisfjara, all on a paved, year-round road.
187 km
Key facts
Distance
187 km
Driving time
2.5 h (pure)
4×4 needed?
No
Start
Reykjavík
End
Vík
Distance
187 km
Driving time
2.5 h pure driving / 6–8 h with stops
Best months
may, jun, jul, aug, sep
4×4 needed?
No
Winter accessible?
Yes
Road note
Route 1 throughout — paved, plowed first in winter. Subject to storm closure east of Hvolsvöllur.
Winter warning
Wind > 20 m/s east of Hvolsvöllur is a real risk — check road.is before pressing east of Selfoss.
The classic order
Leave Reykjavík east on Route 1.
Seljalandsfoss + Gljúfrabúi (~1.5 h in).
Skógafoss (~30 min further).
Sólheimajökull turnoff (~15 min further).
Dyrhólaey (~30 min further).
Reynisfjara (~10 min further).
Vík village.
Winter
The road east of Hvolsvöllur is the most weather-exposed stretch of the South Coast.
Check road.is and vedur.is before driving past Selfoss in winter — if wind is forecast
above 20 m/s, postpone.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Reykjavík to Vík in one day?+
Yes, but it's a long day if you stop at the classics. Many travellers spend the night in Vík and continue east the next day.
What are the must-stop spots between Reykjavík and Vík?+
Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara, Vík church viewpoint.
