Distance From Reykjavik to Akureyri

Route 1 carries nearly all traffic between Iceland's capital and its northern hub, and the 388-kilometer span between Reykjavik and Akureyri represents the backbone of the country's internal travel network. The road runs north from the Reykjavik metro area, tracing the western coast through Borgarfjörður, crossing the glacial outwash plains of Holtavörðuheiði, and threading a series of peninsulas and fjords before descending into Eyjafjörður and Akureyri itself. The route is fully paved, two lanes for most of its length, and open year-round, though winter sections above 300 meters can close temporarily during storms. Driving time under optimal conditions sits between 4.5 and 5 hours, but few travelers cover the span in one unbroken push. The western leg from Reykjavik to Blönduós accounts for roughly 250 kilometers and three hours; the remaining 138 kilometers to Akureyri wind through higher terrain and tighter curves, adding another 90 minutes. Fuel is available in Borgarnes, Blönduós, Varmahlíð, and several smaller settlements, with intervals rarely exceeding 70 kilometers. Mobile signal is strong in populated areas but drops out across the highland plateau stretches and parts of the Vatnsnes and Skagafjörður coastlines. The distance from Reykjavik to Akureyri becomes the foundation for planning any Lake Myvatn itinerary, as the lake lies another 103 kilometers east of Akureyri along Route 1—roughly an hour beyond the city. Many visitors split the journey into two days, overnighting in Akureyri or continuing directly to the Myvatn basin and using the northern capital as a supply and service stop on the return leg. The stretch between Akureyri and Myvatn passes Goðafoss waterfall at the 45-kilometer mark, a near-mandatory stop that adds 20 to 30 minutes. Road conditions east of Akureyri mirror those of the western approach—paved, well-marked, and susceptible to crosswinds and reduced visibility during shoulder seasons. Route 1 alternatives exist but add distance and unpredictability. The Kjölur highland route (F35) cuts through the interior plateau and reduces the crow-fly distance, but it remains closed from September through mid-June, requires a 4x4 vehicle, and offers no services for 170 kilometers. Domestic flights between Reykjavik and Akureyri take 45 minutes, eliminating the drive entirely but removing the flexibility to visit Myvatn and the northern attractions that make the overland journey worthwhile.