So - you've set a date for your trip to Iceland. You've packed up all your items and are ready to book a car rental and Airbnb for your stay. Now what?
We recommend pouring a bucket of ice water over your head, checking your pulse, and pinching yourself a thousand times to make sure you're awake, because the only way to experience all that Iceland has to offer is to drive around it in a motorhome!
Forget Airbnb and car rental agencies - to complete an Icelandic road trip, you're going to need the Marley-mobile or the Chillen in the Dillon van. Because here at Kuku Campers, the road trip is not about seeing places, but about experiencing them!
Many visitors to Iceland book their Kuku Camper Van and then wonder where to go from there. If all you have for your road trip is a torn up map that you can't make sense of, fear not - this Iceland road trip guide will have you graduating as a road trip wizard in no time!
Here, we'll cover a few things for you, from the best campsites to park for the night, to the best routes to take and what to expect when driving in Iceland.
So buckle up (it's the law in Iceland) and crank up the music (it's the rule at Kuku Campers) and let's get this guide moving!
Iceland has no shortage of beautiful roads to travel, each one leading you to a wide variety of amazing outdoor places. Depending on your appetite, you have two options that we recommend you start with:
Golden Circle - Less driving, focuses on the main attractions.
Ring Road - More driving, see everything in Iceland!

The Golden Circle Route

This route takes about 3.5 hours to complete, but we promise you won't be driving the whole time! This scenic route has several attractions to visit, including Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall. If you want to see waterfalls, glaciers, ice caves and go scuba diving, all in the same day, then this is the road for you!
Ring Road

So you have more time to spend with us in Iceland, maybe a whole week? Maybe you just got married, and you and your spouse want to splurge and soak up everything in Iceland? Then the Ring Road (officially called Route 1) is the route for you and your Kuku Camper Van!
Without stopping, it will take you about 12-13 hours to drive the entire route, depending on the weather - snow conditions can cause delays. This route will take you through the northern, eastern, southern and western parts of Iceland, where you can visit many popular attractions such as lagoons, black sand beaches and volcanic mountains. You are more than likely to encounter sheep crossing the road as well!
Driving safely in Iceland
It is important to remember these safety rules before driving: Observe speed limits and road signs. Iceland has speed limits, road signs and, in some places, tolls, and it is your responsibility to obey them. And under no circumstances should you leave the road and go into the countryside unless you have permission from the proper authorities.
Beware of high winds.
Here in Iceland we have kuku winds that are strong enough to rip the door off your vehicle, as well as anything else that might be caught on it. Be careful when opening your vehicle door, opening it with a firm grip.
Give in to the sheep
Yes, Iceland is known for its sheep and cattle that roam freely in the fields. Be careful with your speed on the road, as you will probably have to stop to let the animals pass. Don't worry, they are friendly and you can probably roll down your windows and take a selfie with one if you stop!
Pay attention to the weather.
In addition to high winds, Iceland is also known for its rapid weather changes. You can drive on a calm day and have a blizzard come out of nowhere. In this case, the roads are too snowy to drive on and visibility is impossible. In this case, park your Kuku Camper Van in a safe place and wait for the snow to subside.
Campgrounds for your Kuku Camper Van
At the end of a long day of exploring, climbing and swimming in the lagoons, there's nothing better than spending the night at a campground near your Kuku Camper Van. Below are some campsites on your route that will allow you to park your camper van for the night! Note that they do have a small cost to stay per night, but that's dollars compared to staying in a hotel!