The single habit that keeps self-drive travellers safe in Iceland is simple: check the roads and weather every morning before you turn the key. This guide from Aurora Car Rental Iceland explains the two websites every driver must know — road.is and safetravel.is — how to read the colour-coded conditions, and the Icelandic road signs that catch out first-time visitors.
road.is — the colour-coded road map
Run by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, road.is shows the live status of every numbered road on an interactive map, updated constantly through the day. It is the first thing to check each morning, especially in winter. The map uses a colour code, and understanding it takes thirty seconds.
| Colour | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Black / dark | Easily passable | Drive normally |
| Green | Passable, minor issues | Proceed with care |
| Yellow / orange | Slippery or spots of snow/ice | Slow down, winter tyres essential |
| Blue (light) | Snow, difficult driving | Only if confident, 4x4 recommended |
| Red | Impassable | Do not drive — wait |
| Grey / white | No winter service / closed | Closed, find another route |
The map also shows wind speed, air temperature and road temperature at weather stations along the way — invaluable for spotting where ice is forming. If your route shows red or the road is marked closed, the answer is always the same: change your plan. Every vehicle from Aurora Car Rental Iceland comes with GPS and a WiFi hotspot included, so you can check road.is from the car before setting off.
safetravel.is — weather and wind alerts
road.is tells you about the road surface; safetravel.is tells you about the weather that will hit you on it. Run by Iceland's search-and-rescue teams, it publishes travel alerts, storm warnings and region-by-region advisories. In Iceland the weather, not the distance, is what turns a routine drive into a dangerous one — and the wind is the biggest factor.
Icelandic wind is in a category of its own. Gusts of 25 m/s and above are common, and they can push a high-sided vehicle across a lane, rip a car door out of your hand, and reduce visibility to nothing in blowing snow or sand. safetravel.is issues wind warnings by region and time window. If a red or orange wind warning covers your route, delay until it passes. You can also leave your travel plan on the site so rescue teams know your route.
Icelandic road signs you must recognise
Most Icelandic signs are standard European pictograms, but a handful use Icelandic words with no picture — and these are exactly the ones that surprise visitors. Learn the words below and you'll read the road the way a local does.
| Sign / word | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Blindhæð | Blind rise / blind hill | Oncoming car hidden — move right, slow down |
| Einbreið brú | Single-lane bridge | One car at a time; first to arrive has priority |
| Malbik endar | Paved road ends | Gravel ahead — slow before the surface changes |
| Vegur lokað | Road closed | Do not proceed |
| Ófært | Impassable | Turn back |
| F-road (Fxx) | Mountain / Highland road | 4x4 only, by law; closed in winter |
Two of these deserve extra attention. At a single-lane bridge (einbreið brú), the vehicle that reaches it first goes first — judge the gap early and never race for it. When you see malbik endar, the tarmac is about to become loose gravel; brake before the transition, not on it, because the change in grip is where many single-vehicle accidents happen.
Speed limits, cameras and fines
Speed limits are consistent and strictly enforced by cameras. In built-up areas the limit is 50 km/h, on gravel rural roads 80 km/h, and on paved rural roads 90 km/h. Fines are steep — hundreds of euros for moderate speeding — and they apply to the renter. Headlights must be on at all times, day and night, and seatbelts are mandatory for everyone in the car.
The one hard rule with no exceptions: off-road driving is illegal everywhere in Iceland, with fines that can run into the hundreds of thousands of ISK, because tyre tracks on moss and volcanic soil take decades to heal. Stay on marked roads and in marked parking areas at all times.
A simple daily routine
Put it together and your morning check takes five minutes: open road.is and confirm your route isn't red or closed; open safetravel.is and check for wind or storm warnings; note the wind direction so you know which side to exit the car; and if anything is red, rebuild the day around it. Iceland rewards patience — a viewpoint will still be there tomorrow.
The right vehicle makes all of this easier. A 4x4 with studded winter tyres from Aurora Car Rental Iceland handles yellow and light-blue road conditions with far more confidence than a 2WD, and our whole fleet comes with insurance, GPS, WiFi and free airport transfer, with no deposit and cash payment on pickup. Compare the options on our fleet page.
Frequently asked questions
What website shows road conditions in Iceland?
road.is, run by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, shows live, colour-coded road conditions for every numbered road, updated throughout the day. Check it each morning before driving. Aurora Car Rental Iceland includes GPS and WiFi in every car so you can check it on the move.
What do the colours on road.is mean?
Black means easily passable, green is passable with minor issues, yellow/orange means slippery or patchy snow and ice, light blue means snowy and difficult, and red means impassable. Grey or white indicates no winter service or a closed road. If your route is red or closed, do not drive.
What does "einbreið brú" mean?
Einbreið brú means single-lane bridge. Only one vehicle can cross at a time, and the car that reaches the bridge first has priority. Slow down early, judge the gap, and never race an oncoming car for the bridge.
Is wind damage to a rental car covered in Iceland?
No. Wind damage, most commonly a car door bent by a sudden gust, is not covered by any rental insurance in Iceland. Always hold the door firmly, park facing into the wind, and exit on the sheltered side. Check wind warnings on safetravel.is before setting off.
What are the speed limits in Iceland?
50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on gravel rural roads and 90 km/h on paved rural roads. Speed cameras enforce them strictly and fines are high. Headlights must be on at all times and seatbelts are mandatory. Off-road driving is illegal everywhere.
Drive Iceland with confidence
Every car includes GPS, WiFi, insurance and free airport transfer — so you can check road.is and safetravel.is from the driver's seat. No deposit, cash on pickup.
Aurora Car Rental Iceland — Suðurbraut 890, 262 Keflavík | WhatsApp: +48 729 854 633 | carrentalaurora@gmail.com