Driving a Campervan in Iceland in August: Taking Advantage of the Last of the Summer

August is the perfect time for driving a campervan in Iceland. As the last month of summer, August offers great weather, plenty of daylight hours, and a myriad of outdoor adventures to choose from. So, if you want to explore our beautiful landscapes and be at the helm of your so-called Iceland trip ship, doing a self-drive is the way to go.

This article explores everything around driving in Iceland in August, so you know what to expect and can prep and plan for your upcoming trip. So, without further ado, here’s all you need to know.

Why August is Ideal for Driving a Campervan in Iceland

There are numerous reasons why August is the perfect time to take on that road trip. These include:

• The weather is at its best with mild weather conditions and higher temperatures, which results in pristine road conditions.

• Due to weather and road conditions, the colder months of the year can be plagued by sudden road closures, and certain roads, such as the F-roads in Iceland, that kept closed throughout the colder months of the year, essentially making summer the only time you’re guaranteed to catch all our roads open.

• You will have 20+ hours of daylight every day to plan a jam-packed road trip itinerary without ever worrying about suddenly finding yourself driving in the dark.

• If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, summertime, with its amazing weather and myriad daylight hours, is the perfect time to road trip around the country and experience all our exciting outdoor activities, such as canoeing, hiking, horse riding, and much more.  

• August is also a go-to for animal lovers since it’s our official Puffin and whale season, and you’ll be able to spot both in various spots along your road trip.

Choosing the Right Campervan for Driving in Iceland in August

Which campervan you choose will depend on a few factors:

The Size of Your Party

You won’t be able to squeeze a large family into a compact camper, and it also makes no sense to rent the biggest campervan on the lot if you’re a solo traveler. So, choose the campervan that’s the right size for your party.

Your Itinerary

If you plan on sticking to our urban areas and paved main roads, a 2-wheel drive will be more than sufficient. But if you’re thinking of taking “the road less traveled,” especially in our more remote regions, we highly recommend you rent a 4-wheel drive.

Your Budget

As the song says, “It’s all about the money…” Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how much you’d like to drive around in a 4x4 Limousine Hummer; if you don’t have the money to pay for it, it’s just not going to happen. 

You also need to consider how much you’ll be paying for gas by checking the rental’s mileage. There’s no reason to start maxing out credit cards. Avoid the guilt and financial pressure, and stick to what you can afford within your budget.  

Some of the Most Popular Road Trip Routes When Visiting Iceland in August

Below are some of our most popular road trip routes you can consider driving in Iceland in August:

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a short, loop road from Reykjavik, famed for having some of our most important attractions along the way. Due to its location and length, it’s a great option for those with limited time on the island.

The Ring Road

The Ring Road is not just a popular road trip route but also plays a big part in the logistics around the island. Since it connects most cities and towns with one another and has a myriad of our most famous sites and attractions along the way, it serves as the main way for products and services to be delivered all across the country.

As the name suggests, the Ring Road lies in a circle wrapped around the island, also making it a great way of experiencing at least a little of what each region in Iceland has to offer.

The Diamond Circle

The Diamond Circle is a route that’s often off-limits during the colder and harsher months of the year. That’s because this route allows you to explore the north of Iceland (a region often much colder and with harsher weather conditions than the rest of the island). So, summer is the best time to tackle this route. Although fairly well-maintained, we’d still recommend driving this route with a 4x4.

The South Coast Way

The South Coast Way is another great option for those traveling from Reykjavik and who have limited time on the island. It’s essentially the piece of the Ring Road route that runs along the south coast, famous for all its beaches, waterfalls, and glacial highlights.

The Westfjords Way

This is another route and region that’s pretty off-limits during the colder months of the year. Since the area is remote, and there are plenty of gravel roads that are not well-maintained, bad weather can make traveling there extremely challenging.

But this is a piece of untouched wilderness in Iceland, and if you can appreciate the adventurous nature of this drive, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views and attractions that not many get to see or experience. There truly is no better time to take on the Westfjords Way than when the weather is at its best during the summertime! However, we do recommend driving this route with a 4x4, irrespective of season.

The Sprengisandur Route

The Sprengisandur Route is essentially the F26 road traveling through the Highlands of Iceland. As already mentioned, the F-roads will require a 4x4 and are only open during the summer months in Iceland, so you'd better take your chance while you have it. 

This is the longest road running between the north and the south of the Highlands and is only for the adventurous at heart since you will be crossing rugged terrain and many river crossings. But as another remote and untamed region, the scenery is simply breathtaking!

Kjölur Route

This is yet another route going through the Highlands via the F35 road. Most will recommend this route for F-road newbies since this route still gives you the same spectacular Highlands experience; it’s just less challenging to drive.

A Few Helpful Tips for Driving a Campervan in Iceland in August

If this is your first time driving in Iceland or just your first time driving in Iceland in August, the following tips will be helpful:

• Always keep an eye out for our speed limit signs and adhere to them. Remember, these may be different from what you’re used to back home.

• Drive slower on our gravel roads. This will not only prevent you from sliding or losing control on any loose gravel or rocks, but also prevent pebbles and other debris from being kicked up by the camper. Also, keep a safe driving distance from others to prevent the same.

• Iceland has free-roaming wildlife, so keep your eyes open for any potential sheep, reindeer, or horses crossing the road.

• It is illegal to park where there is no designated parking spot (yes, this includes that quick stop for a snapshot!)

• Ensure that EVERYONE has their seatbelts on when the campervan is in motion.

• In Iceland, you need to keep your headlights on at all times when driving, irrespective of whether it’s day or night.

• At our one-lane bridges (you’ll find plenty in the countryside), we follow a first-come-first-served principle. So, whoever reaches the bridge first can cross first.

Time to Experience the Magic of Driving a Campervan in Iceland in August

Driving in Iceland in August promises to be a magical experience. Ideal road conditions for that bucket list road trip, amazing weather, more exciting things to see and do than you’ll ever be able to cram into just one trip itinerary, but with enough daylight hours to try – diving in summer in Iceland comes highly recommended.

So, now it’s time to prep and plan, pack, jump on that plane, rent a campervan in Iceland, and hit the road for the adventure of a lifetime!