Road trip weather · Updated 19 October 2026 at 17:44

Reykjavík → Akureyri

Today, 19 Oct · leaving 18:00 · Arrive around 00:31

Difficult driving

Freezing rain — glare ice possible: Holtavörðuheiði, 20:34.
Gusts up to 18 m/s between Varmahlíð and Öxnadalsheiði around 23:11 — hold the car door with both hands.
Wet snow and slush: Bifröst, 19:56–20:15.

Distance: 394 km; Route 1
Driving: 5 h 56 min; 6 h 32 min with breaks
Highest point: 528 m; Öxnadalsheiði
In the dark: 6 h 12 min; 3 passes

FromTo

Day

Leaving at

The road ahead

Height above the sea, the weather where you'll be when you're there, and the road surface it points to.

Swipe along the road →394 km

DryWetSlushGlare iceFreezing level — above the line it's below zero13Gusts under the band, m/sDark

Stop by stop

Times include short breaks. The surface is our estimate from the forecast.

18:00
ReykjavíkStart · 5 m
5°6 ↑9 m/s0.7 mm/hWet
18:26
26 min
KjalarnesNotorious gusts · 38 m
4°2 ↑6 m/s1.3 mm/hWetDark
Now (17:30): 5° · road 5° · ↑6 m/s
19:09
1 h 9 min
HafnarfjallNotorious gusts · 41 m
4°5 ↑8 m/s1.9 mm/hWetDark
Now (17:30): 4° · road 5° · ↑9 m/s
19:21
1 h 21 min
BorgarnesOn the way · 3 m
5°4 ↑9 m/s1.4 mm/hWetDark
Onward: slush
19:56
1 h 57 min
BifröstOn the way · 67 m
1°2 ↑4 m/s1.6 mm/hSlushDark
Onward: glare ice possible
20:34
2 h 34 min
HoltavörðuheiðiMountain pass · 407 m
0°5 ↑7 m/s1.0 mm/hGlare ice possibleDark
Now (17:30): 2° · road 2° · ↑12 m/s
20:49
2 h 49 min
StaðarskáliOn the way · 16 m
3°5 ↑7 m/s0.3 mm/hWetDark
22:08
4 h 9 min
BlönduósOn the way · 4 m
4°2 ↑4 m/s0.9 mm/hWetDark
22:42
4 h 43 min
VatnsskarðMountain pass · 435 m
1°3 ↑12 m/s0.5 mm/hWetDark
Now (17:30): 2° · road 2° · ↑10 m/s
22:57
4 h 57 min
VarmahlíðOn the way · 17 m
6°3 ↑11 m/sDryDark
23:41
5 h 41 min
ÖxnadalsheiðiMountain pass · 546 m
3°9 ↑16 m/s0.4 mm/hWetDark
Now (17:30): 3° · road 3° · ↑8 m/s
00:31
6 h 32 min
AkureyriArrival · 38 m
7°4 ↑8 m/sDryDark

The road surface here is our estimate from the forecast, not a report. Always check umferdin.is before you set off.

Tyres and the car

Winter conditions — studs allowed and wise

Snow or ice is likely on this drive. Studs are normally banned until 1 November, but the law allows them when driving conditions require it — and these will. At the least, ask your rental for winter tyres.

Studded tyres are allowed from 1 November to 14 April. Outside those dates the law allows them only when driving conditions require them.

Open the doors with both hands where it's gusty — rental companies charge for doors the wind takes.

On this road right now

Vegagerðin's latest report for each stretch, and the roadside stations.

Clear all the way, Vegagerðin reports.

Station	Air	Road	Gusts
Kjalarnes · 17:30	5°	5°	6
Hafnarfjall · 17:30	4°	5°	9
Holtavörðuheiði · 17:30	2°	2°	12
Vatnsskarð · 17:30	2°	2°	10
Öxnadalsheiði · 17:30	3°	3°	8

umferdin.is

Questions visitors ask

How long is the drive from Reykjavík to Akureyri?

About 394 km on Route 1 — around 5 h 56 min of driving, longer with stops for fuel, food and photos.

What's the highest point on the road from Reykjavík to Akureyri?

Öxnadalsheiði, about 528 m above the sea. The road crosses Holtavörðuheiði, Vatnsskarð, Öxnadalsheiði — the places where ice and snow come first. Kjalarnes and Hafnarfjall are known for violent gusts.

Is the road from Reykjavík to Akureyri open today?

Yes — Vegagerðin reports the road clear all the way. Conditions change fast; check umferdin.is before you set off.

Do I need studded tyres to drive from Reykjavík to Akureyri?

Winter conditions — studs allowed and wise. Snow or ice is likely on this drive. Studs are normally banned until 1 November, but the law allows them when driving conditions require it — and these will. At the least, ask your rental for winter tyres. Studded tyres are allowed from 1 November to 14 April. Outside those dates the law allows them only when driving conditions require them.

What's the weather on the drive Monday 19 Oct?

Difficult driving, leaving at 18:00. Freezing rain — glare ice possible: Holtavörðuheiði, 20:34. Gusts up to 18 m/s between Varmahlíð and Öxnadalsheiði around 23:11 — hold the car door with both hands. Wet snow and slush: Bifröst, 19:56–20:15.