East Iceland and the Eastfjords — Self-Drive Guide 2026

The Eastfjords are the part of Iceland most visitors skip. That is exactly why you should go. This is the quietest stretch of the Ring Road, where fjord after fjord opens up with almost no traffic, and where a rental car is not just convenient — it is the only realistic way to travel.

Where exactly are the Eastfjords?

East Iceland runs roughly from Djupivogur in the south to Vopnafjordur in the north, with Egilsstadir as the inland hub. From Keflavik Airport it is about 640 km along the south coast, or about 700 km if you approach from the north through Akureyri and Myvatn. Most travellers arrive on day four or five of a Ring Road trip, after Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

The region has two personalities. Route 1 cuts inland over Oxi pass and through Egilsstadir — fast, efficient, and it skips most of the coastline. The old coastal route through Berufjordur, Faskrudsfjordur, Reydarfjordur and Eskifjordur is slower but far more rewarding. If you have the time, take the coast.

Driving distances and realistic times

Iceland driving times are always longer than a map suggests. Gravel sections, single-lane bridges, sheep on the road and constant photo stops all add up. Use these figures for planning:

Seydisfjordur — the rainbow street town

Seydisfjordur is the one Eastfjords town almost everyone has seen in a photograph: the pale blue wooden church at the end of a rainbow-painted street. The drive there from Egilsstadir climbs Fjardarheidi pass to 620 metres, passes the Gufufoss waterfall, then drops in long switchbacks into the fjord.

In summer this is a straightforward paved drive. In winter it is one of the most frequently closed roads in East Iceland — snowstorms shut Fjardarheidi regularly, sometimes for a full day. Always check road.is before you set off, and never attempt the pass in a small 2WD car during a snow warning. A higher-clearance 4x4 such as a Dacia Duster, Kia Sportage or SsangYong Korando handles the descent far more confidently on packed snow.

The town itself is worth a half day: the Blue Church, the LungA arts scene, the ferry terminal that connects Iceland to Denmark and the Faroe Islands, and a handful of excellent small restaurants.

Borgarfjordur Eystri and the puffins

Route 94 north from Egilsstadir leads to Borgarfjordur Eystri, home to the most accessible puffin colony in Iceland. At Hafnarholmi harbour a wooden viewing platform puts you within a few metres of thousands of nesting puffins — no boat, no hike, no ticket.

Timing matters. Puffins are typically present from mid-April until around 10 August, after which the chicks fledge and the colony empties within days. If puffins are the reason for your trip, plan your Eastfjords days for June or July.

The road includes gravel sections and an exposed coastal stretch where crosswinds are strong. This is a route where a 4x4 rental pays for itself in comfort, even in summer.

Fuel, food and the gaps between stations

East Iceland has the longest gaps between fuel stations of any populated part of the country. The rule is simple: in the Eastfjords, fill up whenever you are below half a tank, even if you think you do not need to.

Most Icelandic stations are unattended and self-service. Bring a card with a PIN, and remember that Iceland charges a road tax of 7 ISK per kilometre on top of fuel — worth adding to your budget when you are covering 600 km in a region this size.

The Vadlaheidargong tunnel and the route onward

If you continue from Egilsstadir toward Akureyri, you will eventually reach the Vadlaheidargong tunnel just east of Akureyri. It is a toll tunnel — payment is made online at veggjald.is, typically within three hours of passing through, and it saves roughly 16 km and a mountain pass over Vikurskard. The old free road over Vikurskard is still open and scenic in summer.

Between Egilsstadir and Myvatn the Ring Road crosses a high, empty plateau. There is essentially nothing for 100 km. In winter this stretch closes in bad weather, and it is the section where most Ring Road travellers get caught out.

A 4-day Eastfjords itinerary

Day 1: Jokulsarlon to Djupivogur along the coast, with a stop at the Eggin i Gledivik egg sculptures. Overnight Djupivogur or Breiddalsvik.

Day 2: The coastal fjord road via Faskrudsfjordur (the French fishing village, with its French street signs and museum), Reydarfjordur and Eskifjordur to Egilsstadir.

Day 3: Day trip to Seydisfjordur, then in the afternoon Hengifoss — Iceland third-highest waterfall, a 2.5 km uphill hike with red clay layers in the cliff.

Day 4: Borgarfjordur Eystri for puffins and the Stordi hiking area, returning to Egilsstadir, then west toward Myvatn.

Which car do you need for East Iceland?

For Route 1 only, in June to August, a 2WD such as the SsangYong Tivoli is adequate. For anything else — the Oxi pass, Route 94, winter travel, or simply the peace of mind of higher clearance on gravel — a 4x4 is the right choice. Popular options for this region are the Dacia Duster, Kia Sportage and SsangYong Korando. Families and groups often take the 9-seat bus, and self-sufficient travellers pair the region with a roof tent or camper van setup. See the full fleet on our our cars page.

Every Aurora Car Rental Iceland vehicle includes insurance, WiFi, GPS and free airport transfer, with no deposit and payment in cash on pickup in ISK or EUR. Please note that all vehicles are unavailable from 10 to 15 August 2026 due to the solar eclipse booking period.

Frequently asked questions

Aurora Car Rental Iceland — Suðurbraut 890, 262 Keflavík | WhatsApp: +48 729 854 633 | carrentalaurora@gmail.com