Driving
There are certain precautions to keep in mind if you’re planning to drive in Iceland during the winter months. Due to snowfall and precipitation on the island, road closures are quite frequent and can throw a wrench into travel plans. Apart from road closures, certain areas of the island will be off-limits and restricted, as they’re simply not reachable.
Potential Storms & Driving Conditions
Driving in the winter months through Iceland can be a challenging feat, not only on the road but navigating closures that can occur due to wintry conditions. Snow and ice storms happen quite frequently in Iceland during February, so in order to be best prepared, you’ll need to keep a close eye on road conditions before embarking on a self-drive journey. With that being said, road conditions are overall are still much more favorable than in January, with less frequent road closures on the main Ring Road. Generally, when traveling in a safe manner, these roads will be accessible and possible to use in order to reach some of Iceland’s favorite attractions.
Road.is is an excellent resource to keep on hand to stay up-to-date with current conditions. SafeTravel.is comes as another highly recommended resource providing alerts, preparation methods for the outdoors, and all-around travel advice for having a safe trip when in Iceland.
It’s best to avoid any type of dangerous situation, and although driving in Iceland can be both very rewarding and safe, you need to be fully prepared and have a well-planned route. Along with this, you must stay up to date on current conditions, as they can change very quickly.
In the best-case scenario, experienced drivers and guides have the knowledge of both the roads and weather conditions in Iceland, and can be an excellent way to embrace all of the island’s beauty.