The Eastfjords are the part of the Ring Road most people rush, which is a mistake. From Egilsstaðir down to Höfn is roughly 250 km of switchback fjord roads, fishing villages, reindeer on the verges and some of the emptiest tarmac in the country. It's the quietest of Iceland's big drives and one of the prettiest.
The route
From Egilsstaðir, the regional hub, Route 1 climbs over a pass and drops to the coast. Then you trace one fjord after another: Reyðarfjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður (with its French fishing history), Stöðvarfjörður. After that comes the long, open run along the southeast coast to Höfn. Newer inland tunnels now cut out some of the fjords. The older road that hugs the water is slower but much better to look at, so take the coast if you have time.
Worth stopping for
- Seyðisfjörður: a 27 km detour northeast of Egilsstaðir over a mountain pass. It's known for its rainbow street and the ferry to mainland Europe, and it's the most photogenic village in the east.
- Reindeer: East Iceland is the only region with wild reindeer. You'll probably see herds on the hillsides, especially in the colder months when they come lower.
- Petra's Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður. A well-known local mineral collection, and pleasantly eccentric.
- Vestrahorn near Höfn. The jagged peak at the end of the drive, and one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland.
Kayaking out of Seyðisfjörður or a boat trip on the still fjord is the east at its best. Calm water, quiet, and usually a seal or two.
Browse East Iceland tours →Timing
Non-stop it's about 3 hours, but that misses the point. With the Seyðisfjörður detour, a village stop and photos, give it a full day without rushing, or split it with a night in one of the fjord towns.
Fuel and charging
The east has fewer stations than anywhere else on the Ring Road, so plan ahead. Egilsstaðir and Höfn are your anchor points. Both have Tesla Superchargers and ON Power fast chargers, so start and end each leg full. In between, chargers are sparse and a couple of the fjord towns may only have slower AC. Don't run the tank (or battery) down chasing views. The East region charging map shows everything currently public, and the full station directory is worth a look the night before. For petrol and diesel, N1 and Orkan cover Egilsstaðir, Reyðarfjörður and Höfn.
When to go
June to August gives you open roads and long light. May and September are quiet and moody, but the Seyðisfjörður pass can get early snow. In winter the east is the section of Route 1 that closes most often, so check road.is every morning and keep your plans loose. Coming from the north? Pair this with the north drive and you've covered the top half of the loop.