Last drive across Iceland – Akureyri to Reykjavik

Saving one final surprise until the end

Day 8 had arrived. Our second last day in Iceland.

As we left Akureyri, the skies were grey and the surrounding mountains were blanketed with fresh snow.

As always, we checked our apps. The forecast appeared accurate.

Clouds hung low over the road.

Visibility came and went. We stopped off at a petrol station keen for a hot coffee and a bite to eat. The piping hot coffee was complimentary which was a lovely surprise.

The forecast wasn’t good and the road maps warned of multiple closures, but the locals told us not to worry. It would be fine.

As we continued our journey homeward bound towards Reykjavik, the road turned into a nightmare journey thanks to heavy snow, rain and almost no visibility. Cars were passing at speed, without a care in the world. Tourist vs Icelander. They know the roads but we decided to drive at the nominated speed rather than keep pace with them.

Then, almost without warning, everything changed.

The clouds lifted.

The wind eased.

Patches of blue sky appeared.

By lunchtime, we were driving beneath brilliant sunshine.

It was the most Icelandic thing imaginable.

Within a few hours we’d experienced two completely different seasons.

No wonder everyone we’d spoken to during the trip kept repeating the same advice.

“If you don’t like the weather… wait five minutes.”

Crossing the Interior

Today’s drive was the longest of our trip. Hundreds of kilometres stretched ahead.

Unlike the dramatic South Coast or winding Eastfjords, much of western Iceland feels wonderfully open.

Wide valleys stretched towards distant mountains.

Traffic remained surprisingly light.

There were long periods where it felt as though we had the entire road to ourselves.

After eight days, Iceland no longer felt unfamiliar. It felt comfortable.

Meeting Iceland’s Most Famous Residents

En route, one final roadside stop produced another unforgettable memory.

Beside a paddock near the Langavatn turnoff stood a small group of Icelandic horses.

No visit to Iceland feels complete without seeing them.

They’re instantly recognisable.

Smaller than many horse breeds.

Thick winter coats.

Long flowing manes.

Gentle expressions.

Standing quietly beside the fence, they seemed completely unfazed by the weather that had caused us so much concern all week.

Watching them graze peacefully against a backdrop of snow-covered hills was the perfect farewell to Iceland’s countryside.

We lingered longer than we’d intended.

There wasn’t any rush anymore.

Back Where It All Began

Late in the afternoon, Reykjavík finally reappeared.

Now we returned with thousands of photographs, muddy hiking boots and memories that would stay with us for years.

Checking back into our hotel felt strangely familiar.

The city we’d barely knew a week ago now felt almost like home.

That afternoon we wandered through Reykjavík one last time.

No sightseeing. No checklist.

Just a relaxed stroll through streets that had become comfortably familiar.

And then headed back to our hotel for a couple of glasses on wine on our private balcony.

It was a lovely way to bring the road trip to a close.

One Final Lesson

The following morning was our last in Iceland.

Originally we’d planned to spend several more hours exploring Reykjavík before driving to Keflavík Airport.

Once again, Iceland had other ideas.

Rain hammered the city.

The wind returned.

The streets we’d hoped to wander became far less inviting.

Rather than fight the weather, we accepted defeat one final time.

After filling the fuel tank ready for the rental car return, we headed to the airport earlier than planned.

Somehow, it felt fitting.

The weather had shaped our trip from beginning to end.

The Sweetest Souvenir

Before leaving Iceland, there was one final purchase to make.

Chocolate.

Lots of it.

Icelandic chocolate had become an unexpected favourite during the trip, and the airport proved the perfect place to stock up before boarding our next flight.

It was considerably easier to fit into our luggage than glaciers.

We then headed to  the food court in Keflavík Airport’s departures hall.

Then there was one last highlight in store! Once we had boarded our plane, I struck up a conversation with my fellow passenger. Turned out he is a musician and an international star from Iceland. He was a seriously chilled guy and it wasn’t until we were settled in my hotel room in London that I decided to google his name.

Thorleifur Gaukur Davidsson

Composer, harmonica and pedal steel player based in Nashville, TN and Reykjavík, Iceland.

Looking Back

As our plane climbed above Iceland’s coastline, we looked down at the landscapes we’d spent eight unforgettable days exploring.

Waterfalls cascading over ancient cliffs.

Glaciers flowing towards the sea.

Black sand beaches battered by Atlantic waves.

Remote fishing villages.

Volcanic craters.

Steam rising from the earth.

And somewhere below, roads that had challenged, surprised and rewarded us every single day.

We’d originally chosen Iceland because everyone said it was beautiful.

They were right.

Iceland isn’t simply somewhere you visit.

It’s somewhere that stays with you.

Long after you’ve gone home.

Practical Travel Tips

Always check weather and road conditions before leaving, even on your final driving day. Conditions can change dramatically within hours.

Allow extra time for the return drive to Reykjavík—unexpected weather can slow progress considerably.

Refuel before returning your rental vehicle. There are several convenient fuel stations on the approach to Keflavík Airport.

Leave room in your luggage for Icelandic chocolate—it makes an excellent souvenir and gift.

Driving Route:

Akureyri → Langavatn area → Reykjavík → Keflavík Airport (following morning)

Driving Time from Akureyri to Reykjavik (without stops): Around 5–5½ hours, depending on weather and road conditions.

Worth Knowing

Iceland Writes Its Own Itinerary

If our nine-day journey taught us anything, it was this: flexibility is the most important thing you can pack.

The days we remembered most weren’t necessarily the ones we’d planned down to the minute. They were the ones shaped by changing weather, unexpected detours and spontaneous decisions. Rather than seeing those moments as interruptions, embrace them. In Iceland, they’re often where the best stories begin.

Final Thoughts

Over nine days we drove more than 1,800 kilometres around one of the world’s most extraordinary countries.

We saw waterfalls thunder into ancient canyons, walked behind cascading sheets of water, stood beside glaciers older than recorded history, watched icebergs drift silently towards the sea, wandered through steaming geothermal landscapes, crossed snow-covered mountain passes, explored colourful fishing villages and were fortunate enough to witness the Northern Lights dancing gently across the night sky.

Not everything went according to plan.

Flights almost departed without us.

Roads closed.

Storms forced itinerary changes.

Favourite attractions became inaccessible.

And yet, none of those moments diminished the journey.

If anything, they made it more memorable.

Because that’s Iceland.

Beautiful.

Unpredictable.

Humbling.

Wild.

A place that constantly reminds you that nature is in charge.

And perhaps that’s exactly why we fell in love with it.

Lessons Learned

Trust Icelanders when they talk about the weather. They know what they’re talking about.

Check road conditions every morning. A five-minute habit can completely change your day.

Build flexibility into your itinerary. Don’t over-schedule.

Upgrade your rental car if your budget allows. We never regretted the extra comfort.

Carry waterproof clothing everywhere. Sunshine and sideways rain can arrive within minutes of each other.

Respect Iceland’s natural hazards. Sneaker waves, geothermal areas and high winds are real dangers—not tourist myths.

Stop often. Some of our favourite memories weren’t on any itinerary.

Don’t try to “tick off” Iceland. Experience it instead.

Would We Do It Again?

Without hesitation.

Absolutely.

But we’d do one thing differently.

We wouldn’t return in early spring.

Our original research suggested late April offered the perfect balance between winter landscapes and improving weather. Unfortunately, the season proved far more unpredictable than we’d anticipated, with several road closures and attractions becoming inaccessible. To be honest, I loved every minute of the weather challenges. Coming from the Sunshine State (Queensland, Australia) it was exciting and new.

However, next time we’ll visit a little later in the year to improve our chances of seeing the sights we missed due to road closures while still avoiding the peak summer crowds.

Would we drive the Ring Road again?

In a heartbeat.

Because now we know something we didn’t before leaving Australia.

One trip to Iceland is rarely enough.

It’s the kind of place that leaves you planning your return journey before you’ve even unpacked your suitcase.

Disclaimer:

This blog post is based entirely on our own experiences during our trip to Iceland in April 2026. Everything we share reflects what we personally saw, did, learned and experienced during our holiday.

We have done our best to make sure the information is correct. However, things can change, including prices, road conditions, weather etc. If you are considering travelling to Iceland, we recommend you check current information with official Icelandic sources before making bookings.

Any opinions, recommendations and suggestions shared on Monty&Me are our own.