Five days in South Iceland: a practical self-drive route
Route locations: South Iceland, Iceland, Golden Circle, Jökulsárlón, Reykjavík, Route 1, Þingvellir National Park, Hakið viewpoint, Almannagjá, Geysir geothermal area, Strokkur, Gullfoss, Selfoss, Hella, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík, Reynisfjara, Reynisdrangar sea stacks, Skaftafell, Öræfajökull, Skaftafellsjökull, Svartifoss, Skaftafellsstofa, Vatnajökull National Park, Breiðamerkurjökull, Fellsfjara, Fjallsárlón
This independently researched route is for first-time self-drivers with five full days in South Iceland from late spring to early autumn. It uses Route 1 and established access roads, keeps highland roads out, and leaves room to shorten a day when official conditions require it.
Is five days enough?
Five full days can cover Þingvellir, the south coast and Jökulsárlón if the overnight base moves east and the final day is kept for the westward return. This is a late-spring-to-early-autumn route, not a winter driving plan.
Five full days can cover Þingvellir, the south coast and Jökulsárlón if the overnight base moves east and the final day is kept for the westward return. This is a late-spring-to-early-autumn route, not a winter driving plan.
Five full days can cover Þingvellir, the south coast and Jökulsárlón if the overnight base moves east and the final day is kept for the westward return. This is a late-spring-to-early-autumn route, not a winter driving plan.
Start at Þingvellir, then use Geysir and Gullfoss if conditions and the day’s available time allow. Sleep around Selfoss or Hella rather than returning to Reykjavík, and leave additional Golden Circle stops for another trip.
Start at Þingvellir, then use Geysir and Gullfoss if conditions and the day’s available time allow. Sleep around Selfoss or Hella rather than returning to Reykjavík, and leave additional Golden Circle stops for another trip.
Start at Þingvellir, then use Geysir and Gullfoss if conditions and the day’s available time allow. Sleep around Selfoss or Hella rather than returning to Reykjavík, and leave additional Golden Circle stops for another trip.
Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, then continue to Vík and Reynisfjara. Check the Black Beach Safety page before leaving and obey warning lights, barriers and local officers at the beach.
Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, then continue to Vík and Reynisfjara. Check the Black Beach Safety page before leaving and obey warning lights, barriers and local officers at the beach.
Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, then continue to Vík and Reynisfjara. Check the Black Beach Safety page before leaving and obey warning lights, barriers and local officers at the beach.
The warning system is part of the itinerary
Use the route summary as a guide, then confirm the exact operating, weather, access and transport conditions before travelling.
Drive east to Skaftafell and choose one walk that matches the current trail conditions and the group’s energy. A land trail provides glacier views; walking on glacier ice requires an experienced guide and appropriate equipment.
Drive east to Skaftafell and choose one walk that matches the current trail conditions and the group’s energy. A land trail provides glacier views; walking on glacier ice requires an experienced guide and appropriate equipment.
Drive east to Skaftafell and choose one walk that matches the current trail conditions and the group’s energy. A land trail provides glacier views; walking on glacier ice requires an experienced guide and appropriate equipment.
A land trail is not a glacier walk
Use the route summary as a guide, then confirm the exact operating, weather, access and transport conditions before travelling.
Give Jökulsárlón and Fellsfjara time on foot, using marked visitor routes and keeping distance from the water. Treat Fjallsárlón as optional rather than adding it automatically.
Give Jökulsárlón and Fellsfjara time on foot, using marked visitor routes and keeping distance from the water. Treat Fjallsárlón as optional rather than adding it automatically.
Give Jökulsárlón and Fellsfjara time on foot, using marked visitor routes and keeping distance from the water. Treat Fjallsárlón as optional rather than adding it automatically.
Use the final day for the westward return with no fixed activity at the far end. If weather or a closure changed an earlier day, this is the only planned buffer for a safe replacement.
Use the final day for the westward return with no fixed activity at the far end. If weather or a closure changed an earlier day, this is the only planned buffer for a safe replacement.
Where to stay
Use the route summary as a guide, then confirm the exact operating, weather, access and transport conditions before travelling.
Checks before each drive
Use the route summary as a guide, then confirm the exact operating, weather, access and transport conditions before travelling.
Use the route summary as a guide, then confirm the exact operating, weather, access and transport conditions before travelling.
What should change the plan?
Current weather, transport, opening hours, access restrictions and the traveller's energy should change the plan. Keep the main stop, remove the least important optional stop and preserve enough time for the overnight base or return.
What should change the plan?
Current weather, transport, opening hours, access restrictions and the traveller's energy should change the plan. Keep the main stop, remove the least important optional stop and preserve enough time for the overnight base or return.
Check the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, Icelandic Met Office and SafeTravel before every long drive. Official closures, road conditions and beach restrictions always override this route.
Check the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, Icelandic Met Office and SafeTravel before every long drive. Official closures, road conditions and beach restrictions always override this route.
For a map-based planning option, compare the related Rooutie itinerary. It is a planning link only; it did not provide the research for this article.
Use a five-day outline as a pacing tool rather than a promise that every stop will be open. Check the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration for road status, wind closures and surface conditions before leaving each base, and recheck when the forecast changes. South-coast distances look short on a map, but gravel approaches, queues, photo stops and slow traffic can turn one transfer into most of a day. Keep fuel above the next reliable station, download the route, and do not plan a remote detour after dark or in poor visibility.
Build one weather-safe alternative into each day: a museum, geothermal pool, shorter waterfall walk or nearby café where the group can warm up. At black-sand beaches stay well back from the water, obey local barriers and never turn your back on waves. Glacier edges, river crossings and icy paths require the same restraint; use marked viewpoints and licensed operators where guidance is required. Travellers with limited mobility should ask about surfaces, steps, parking and toilets directly, since access can vary by season. Families should agree on a maximum driving window and a clear “turn around” rule before departure.
Reserve accommodation with a late-arrival plan, a drying space and a cancellation window when possible. Keep snacks, layers, medication and a charged power bank in the car, and share the day’s route with someone not travelling. If a road closes, skip the farthest stop and protect the next night rather than racing. This flexibility is what makes five days feel unhurried.
