Driving in Iceland in Spring: Have Your Bucket List Road Trip While On a Budget

There are many reasons why driving in Iceland in spring might be the best thing you can do for yourself if you’ve always wanted to road trip with a campervan rental around our beautiful country. This is especially true if you’re on a bit of a budget.

So, if you’ve been planning and pondering a road trip to Iceland, read on. We tell you everything you need to know about driving in Iceland in spring, and perhaps you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that spring is the perfect road trip option for you.

Why Drive in Iceland in Spring?

As mentioned, there are many reasons why driving in Iceland in spring is a good idea. Some of these reasons include:

You’ll Have Better Weather

With winter in your rear-view mirror, the weather is also starting to turn. And while you’ll still be dealing with unmelted snow and ice, you’ll no longer have to deal with things like blizzards and winds threatening to take over the driving for you.

You’ll Have Longer Days

The weather is not the only thing changing, and daylight hours will also be on the rise. With each passing week, there will be more and more daylight hours to create the trip itinerary of a lifetime without worrying about having to drive around in the dark (as is the case during winter with its 4 to 5 hours of daylight each day).

There Will Be Less People

If you’re not a fan of crowds, you will love spring here in Iceland. This season falls smack-bang in the middle of our busiest times on the island; the festive season, New Year, and the summer season. That means you’ll find very little traffic when driving in Iceland in spring (both the 4-wheel and 2-feet kind).

Things Will Be More Affordable

No peak season also means no peak season pricing, and you’ll often find all sorts of “off” season discounts and specials, making spring the most affordable time to go on an epic road trip around Iceland.

You Might Get a Chance to Spot the Northern Lights

While daylight hours have begun increasing and the weather has started to turn, you’ll still have enough cold and darkness for one last chance at spotting the Northern Lights before the island moves on towards its other famous natural phenomenon (the Midnight Sun).

The Northern Lights truly are a special sight, but we strongly advise getting out of the cities and towns if you’d like to catch a glimpse of these bright neon colors dancing across the sky.

Is It Safe to Drive in Iceland in Spring?

Driving in Iceland in spring is fairly safe as long as you take a few things into consideration:

• It takes a while for the last winter remnants to disappear, so you’ll still have to deal with unmelted snow and ice on the roads during early spring – especially in the north, where it tends to be colder and weather conditions harsher.

• While roads kept closed throughout the colder months of the year may slowly begin to reopen, plenty (such as the F-roads) will remain closed. Please do not ignore these road closures and DIY your own drives – your safety is a priority.

• Always stay on top of what’s happening in the weather and on the roads. By following platforms such as Vedur and Umferdin, you won’t get caught by surprise.

• Please adhere to the rules of the road, especially since ours may differ from what you’re used to back home. Keep to the speed limits (these will be on road signs), ensure that everyone in a moving vehicle is wearing their seatbelts, and keep our national emergency number, 112, saved on your phone, just in case.

• You’ll need to double-check insurance needs as well as additional gear and accessories, especially when visiting in early spring. This is because things like snow tires might still be a legal requirement, and you might need additional coverage based on your route and the road conditions.

• You might come across animals such as sheep and reindeer (or even our elusive Arctic Fox!) crossing the road. Just keep an eye out and keep a driving pace that will allow you to brake in time when this happens.

Roads in Iceland in Spring: Road Conditions and Vehicle Choice

As we already touched on, you may still find a few challenging spots on the road when visiting in early spring, which might require a bit of extra focus, extra insurance coverage, and additional gear and accessories. Just check with your rental agent to ensure what’s included in your rental package.

However, we highly recommend you rent a 4x4 if you’re visiting in early spring and you plan on driving unpaved roads. You will find that most F-roads in Iceland will still be closed, especially in early spring, so road trips through the Westfjords and the Highlands might be limited. But if you find a few F-roads open by late spring, please remember that you’re only allowed to drive these roads with a 4x4 (this is Icelandic law!).

If you plan on visiting mid to late spring, a 2-wheel drive will be more than sufficient to traverse the island with, as long as you stick to the cities and towns and only take short trips on well-maintained, paved roads. If you plan on renting a campervan in Iceland, you can rest assured that you’ll still be able to choose between a 2-wheel drive or a 4x4.

FAQs About Driving in Iceland in Spring

We’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions. See below:

Do I Need a 4x4 in Iceland in Spring?

Although you may not need a 4x4 when driving in the cities and on the paved roads in Iceland in spring, we recommend it for early spring and longer road trips where you’ll be driving on gravel roads.

Can You Drive the Highlands in Iceland in Spring?

Many of the roads in the Highlands are F-roads, which are only open throughout the warmer parts of the year. This means that you might still find them closed when visiting the island during spring, especially if it’s early spring, making driving the Highlands nearly impossible.

Your Springtime Driving Adventure Awaits!

While there are a few drawbacks to driving in Iceland in spring, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. From longer days, better weather, and cheaper options – a springtime road trip might be the most peaceful and budget-friendly solution to having that Iceland adventure you’ve been dreaming about. Armed with the info and advice in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to take on driving during this time and prioritize safety while soaking in our spectacular scenery.