Icelandic conditions: winter driving, mountain roads, gravel, river crossings and weather
Before you go
Check road.is for road conditions and closures and vedur.is for weather. Tell someone your route. Fuel up: stations are sparse in the interior.
Mountain roads (F-roads)
- Marked F (fjallvegir); open only in summer, usually June to September.
- 4x4 required; ordinary cars are not allowed and insurance may not cover them.
- Expect river crossings, rough tracks and no services.
- Respect closures: barriers and signs mean the road is closed, even if it looks passable.
River crossings
Walk the crossing first to check depth and bottom. Engage low gear, keep momentum steady, do not change gear mid-stream. Unbuckle your seat belt and open the window before entering, so you can escape if the car stalls. Never cross fast or in flood conditions.
Winter
Fit winter tyres, carry a shovel, warm clothes and food. Reduce speed on ice; brake gently. Snowstorms can close roads with little warning.
Worked example
A summer renter in a small 2WD car reaches an F-road sign. The correct decision is to turn around; the vehicle and insurance do not permit the road, and river crossings may be ahead.
Traps
Assuming an F-road is open because it is summer; crossing a river fast; relying on a phone signal, which is patchy in the interior.