Can I drive the South Coast to Vík today?

Updated 11 July 2026Driving

186 km · ~2.5 h one way · roads 1 — live status below is scoped to this route only.

Short answer

Usually yes — Route 1 to Vík is paved the whole way past Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara. The exposed stretch under Eyjafjöll is one of Iceland’s windiest roads: gusts strong enough to damage car doors are a real thing here. The status below covers exactly this stretch.

This route, right now

Live frames from the Vegagerðin cameras on and around this route — the fastest reality check there is.

Hellisheiði road camera — live view from Vegagerðin — HellisheiðiThe pass east of Reykjavík — gateway to the SouthLive · Vegagerðin

Markarfljót (Bakkafjöruvegamót) road camera — live view from Vegagerðin — Markarfljót (Bakkafjöruvegamót)Under Eyjafjöll — the windy stretchLive · Vegagerðin

Reynisfjall road camera — live view from Vegagerðin — ReynisfjallAbove Vík — end of the runLive · Vegagerðin

Open year-round. Wind is the hazard here — take gust warnings seriously, they bend doors. Conditions change within hours — re-check before you leave, and treat a Vegagerðin closure as final.

Frequently
asked questions

Is the road to Vík paved?

Yes. Route 1 from Reykjavík to Vík is fully paved, and every headline stop — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara turn-off — is on or just off the tarmac. A 2WD is fine in summer.

How windy does the South Coast get?

Seriously windy. The stretch beneath Eyjafjallajökull regularly sees gusts above 25 m/s, which is enough to rip a car door from your hand or push a high-sided camper across the lane. If the live status or road.is shows a wind warning, wait it out — storms here usually pass within hours.

How far is Vík from Reykjavík?

About 186 km — roughly 2.5 hours of driving without stops, comfortably a full day with the waterfalls and Reynisfjara included.