Driving in Iceland in January
January is deep winter: short days, frequent storms, and icy roads - but the Ring Road and Golden Circle stay open most days, and it's one of the best months for northern lights and ice caves. Drive it if you're comfortable with winter conditions and build slack into your itinerary; skip self-driving if you've never driven on ice.
4–7 hours, growing ~6 min/day
−3 to +3 °C in the lowlands, colder inland and in the north
All highland F-roads are closed - they typically reopen in June.
Excellent - long dark nights mean any clear sky is a chance. Cloud cover, not darkness, is the limiting factor.
What’s open and driveable
The Ring Road, Golden Circle and South Coast are maintained and usually passable, but temporary storm closures happen every January - sometimes for a day or more, most often on Hellisheiði, in the East fjords, and across the north. The Westfjords and many secondary gravel roads are frequently impassable. Plan around the weather, not a fixed schedule.
Typical conditions
Expect ice or packed snow on most roads outside Reykjavík, and check the wind forecast as carefully as the snow: winter storms bring gusts that can move a car and whiteout blowing snow even when little is falling. Between storms you often get calm, clear, spectacularly low-lit days that are a photographer's dream. Studded winter tyres are fitted on all rental cars in January, which helps far more than 4x4 alone.
January driving tips
- Check the forecast and road status every single morning - conditions reset daily in January.
- Keep driving days short: 150–250 km is a realistic winter day with 4–7 hours of light.
- Book accommodation with free cancellation so a storm day doesn't cascade through the trip.
- Never drive into a closed road - closures are enforced and fines (and rescue bills) are real.
- Carry snacks, water and a charged phone; if you're stopped by a storm, stay with the car.
- A 4x4 is strongly recommended, but it doesn't repeal physics on ice - speed does.
Common questions
Can you drive the full Ring Road in January?
It's possible in a calm week, but it's a gamble: storm closures in the east and north can hold you in place for a day or more. Most January visitors are happier basing in the southwest (Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast to Vík or Jökulsárlón) and taking day trips.
Do I need a 4x4 in Iceland in January?
It's strongly recommended. All January rentals come with studded winter tyres, which matter most, but a 4x4 adds real margin on packed snow, in slush, and in fresh snowfall - and many insurers and locals treat it as the winter default.
Is January a good month to see the northern lights in Iceland?
Yes - it's among the best. With only 4–7 hours of daylight, the aurora can appear any time from late afternoon to morning. The limiting factor is cloud, so a flexible itinerary that can chase clear sky beats any fixed viewing spot.