Driving the East Fjords: Route 1 and fjord roads

By Stefán · Iceland Roads · Written by a local who drives these roads

What the East Fjords actually are

The East Fjords are a series of deep, narrow fjords carved into Iceland's eastern coastline, connected by Route 1 as it winds inland and out again around each valley. This is the quietest section of the Ring Road: fewer tourists, older fishing villages, steep mountains rising straight from the sea. The landscape feels older and more weathered than the volcanic south or the glacial highlands.

Route 1 runs 187 km from Höfn (gateway from the South Coast and glacier lagoons) north to Egilsstaðir (regional hub, airport, and junction for highland F-roads). The drive takes 2.5 to 3 hours without stops, and the winding fjord sections make it feel longer than the map distance suggests. Most visitors spread it over 1-2 days, stopping at fjord villages like Djúpivogur, Stöðvarfjörður, or Seyðisfjörður.

Road surface and conditions

Route 1 through the East Fjords is fully paved and maintained year-round. The road climbs over several mountain passes (Almannaskarð, Öxi, Fáskrúðsfjörður pass) that gain and lose hundreds of meters of elevation with each fjord crossing. These passes can ice over in winter and fog in during summer, so check conditions before setting out.

The winding sections demand attention. Hairpin turns, steep grades, and narrow shoulders mean you can't zone out the way you might on the straight South Coast stretches. In winter, ice and snow linger longer on north-facing sections and in the shade of the fjord walls. A 2WD with winter tyres handles Route 1 fine; save the 4x4 rental for F-road detours from Egilsstaðir.

Key towns and stops

Seyðisfjörður: worth the detour

Seyðisfjörður is the most visited town in the East Fjords, and for good reason. The 27 km detour from Route 1 takes you over a mountain pass and down a steep, winding road into a fjord surrounded by waterfalls. The town itself is a collection of colorful wooden houses, art galleries, cafes, and a photogenic blue church with a rainbow-painted street leading to it.

The Smyril Line ferry from Denmark docks here, making it the only international arrival point in the east. In summer the town fills with ferry passengers and cruise ship visitors; in winter it's quiet and often foggy. The pass into Seyðisfjörður ices over in winter and fogs in year-round - check conditions before descending, and take the curves slowly.

Highland F-roads from Egilsstaðir

Egilsstaðir is the eastern gateway to the central highlands. F910 runs west to Askja caldera, a remote volcanic crater with a geothermal lake, and F902 (Kverkfjallaleið) leads toward Kverkfjöll and the northern ice cap edge. Both routes involve rough gravel, river crossings, and long sections without services - these are 4x4-only summer trips, not quick day drives.

F-roads from Egilsstaðir typically open in late June or early July (depending on snowmelt) and close in early September. Check live status at F-road conditions before heading inland. If you're not confident with river crossings and navigation on unmarked tracks, these are guided-tour destinations, not self-drive experiments.

Weather patterns to expect

The East Fjords are cooler and wetter than the South Coast or Reykjavík area, with less direct sunlight due to the steep fjord walls and mountain shadows. Fog is frequent, especially on mountain passes and at the heads of fjords where cold air pools. Rain can be persistent, and the east gets more of it than the drier north or the sheltered southwest.

Winter brings snow to the passes and ice to the shaded fjord roads. Wind is less of a constant than on the South Coast, but when it does blow, the fjord valleys funnel it into strong gusts. Summer is milder but still damp - plan for rain and pack layers. Check today's conditions daily, especially if crossing mountain passes.

Services and fuel

Petrol stations are available at Höfn, Djúpivogur, Breiðdalsvík, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Reyðarfjörður, Eskifjörður, Neskaupstaður, Seyðisfjörður, and Egilsstaðir. Gaps between stations are 50-80 km, longer than in the southwest but manageable if you fill up at each town. Reyðarfjörður and Egilsstaðir have full supermarkets; smaller villages have basic groceries.

Mobile phone coverage is good in towns and along Route 1, but drops on fjord detours and F-roads inland from Egilsstaðir. Download offline maps before leaving a service town, and carry extra food and water if you're heading into the highlands.

When to drive the East Fjords

Route 1 through the East Fjords is drivable year-round, but May to September offers the best conditions: longer daylight, less ice, and open F-roads from Egilsstaðir. Winter driving (November to March) is possible on Route 1 but brings short daylight (4-6 hours), frequent fog, and ice on mountain passes. F-roads are closed and impassable all winter.

If you're planning to visit Askja or other highland destinations from Egilsstaðir, aim for late June to early September when F-roads are open and river levels are manageable. Outside that window, the highlands are off-limits regardless of vehicle or experience.

Common questions

See also: South Coast driving Westfjords driving

Related: winter driving · renting a car · F-road status · today's conditions · route planner