Iceland Road Trip Guide for American Tourists What to Expect
                     Iceland Road Trip 
Guide for 
American Tourists: 
What to Expect?
www.hertz
.is
Getting Your Rental Car Set 
HUerptz Iceland offers dependable car choices that navigate the nation’s rugged terrain more effectively than conventional vehicles. They maintain a fleet of robust SUVs and adapted 
sedans tailored for Iceland’s unforgiving climate.
Upon your arrival at Iceland international Keflavik Airport (KEF), anticipate more lengthy 
paperwork procedures than most American rental agencies. Employees take additional time to 
review local road regulations and weather warnings that may impact your travel.
Understanding Iceland’s 
Driving Conditions
Iceland’s roads are very different from American highways in a 
number of significant respects. While New York City motorists 
drive in heavy traffic and complicated intersections every day, 
Iceland offers broad open spaces with volatile weather patterns.
Los Angeles drivers may master bright freeway driving, 
but Iceland’s abrupt changes of weather produce 
dangerous conditions in a matter of minutes. Snow, 
rain, and high winds hit throughout the year, even in 
summer months.
0 Narrow gravel roads beyond large 
1 towns
02 Single-lane bridges where timing must 
be exact
03 Slim cell phone coverage in the outlying 
country
Navigating the Iceland Ring 
RThois apodpular road rings the nation and traverses about 
830 miles of diverse landscape. The trip will take most 
travelers seven to ten days to do right.
As opposed to America’s Interstate system, Iceland’s 
Ring Road goes through rural towns where services are 
limited. Fuel stops must be planned because gas 
stations close early and might not take American 
chipless credit cards.
Weather conditions along the Ring Road change rapidly 
based on your location. While Chicago drivers handle 
snowstorms with confidence, Iceland’s winds reach 
hurricane strength and create whiteout conditions that 
force road closures.
Comparing Costs and 
Services
Fuel prices in Iceland cost roughly three 
times more than American prices. Budget 
approximately
$150 per day just for gasoline during 
your Ring Road adventure.
Food costs also exceed American standards 
significantly. A basic meal that costs $15 in 
Denver might cost $40 in Reykjavik. Stock 
up on groceries
from major towns before heading into 
remote areas. Read more on Guide to 
Iceland Grocery Stores and Tips for travellers
Weather Preparation 
Essentials
Pack winter clothing regardless of your travel 
season. Even July temperatures drop below 
freezing at night in highland areas.
Consider these weather-related 
items: Waterproof jackets and 
pants
Warm boots with good 
traction Extra blankets for 
emergencies
Also check out our Iceland packing list guide, 
and get yourself familiar what to pack for 
an Icelandic road trip.
Planning Your Route Successfully
Download offline maps before leaving major towns. GPS signals disappear 
frequently in Iceland’s mountainous regions, leaving you without navigation 
assistance.
Book accommodations weeks ahead, especially during summer months. Iceland’s 
limited hotel capacity fills quickly with international tourists.
Create backup plans for weather delays. Storms often close roads for several days, 
forcing tourists to extend their stays unexpectedly.
CONTACT US
www.hertz.
is
(+354) 522 44 00
[email protected]
Flugvallarvegi 5, 
101 Reykjavík