Driving in Iceland in Spring or Autumn

Coping with Iceland’s changeable weather

Iceland’s position in the middle of the North Atlantic means that it is notorious for its unpredictable weather. Storms can quickly blow in from the ocean and conditions can change not just on a daily basis, but several times within an afternoon. You might see a band of rain, sleet, or hail give way to bright sunshine in just a few hours as the wind blows a weather front across the country. Pack accordingly, bringing wet weather gear that will also keep you warm and cozy if the wind blows from the north. 

However, there’s not much you can do about the weather, so when you think about it, perhaps coming in summer is the thing that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. You pay a premium for coming at peak time and could just as easily experience two straight weeks of rain. That’s Iceland for you! Scheduling your visit for May or September on average won’t alter the average weather forecast drastically from what you’d be faced with in summer, but nevertheless, it pays to keep a close eye on what it’s doing. 

If you're considering driving in Iceland in May, you'll find that conditions are often similar to summer but with the added benefit of lower prices and quieter roads. Build in some flexibility with your itinerary. Plan each day’s activities to suit the weather conditions; refresh the Icelandic Met Office’s website during the day as it’s where local-level forecasts are updated regularly. As a rule of thumb, if you are at all concerned, seek – and follow – local advice. 

Coming in the off-season alters the cost of your road trip

Driving in Iceland can prove expensive. Though we offer competitive rental prices, other costs of motoring such as the price of fuel can quickly add up. In early spring or late autumn, many travelers feel calmer at the prospect of potentially driving in bad weather knowing they’ve hired a more costly but more capable 4x4. 

They also accept that additional insurance such as sand and gravel protection is pretty much a necessity, particularly if driving along the south coast in spring or autumn when there’s a strong likelihood of the area’s black sand becoming airborne in the wind. Luckily, there are some bright spots: for instance, there’s only one toll tunnel in the country, near Akureyri, and unless the weather’s really dreadful, you can avoid it by taking the old road. 

When planning a road trip for spring or autumn, it’s wise to look at the complete picture when it comes to the cost of your holiday. The fall in the number of visitors coming at this time of year compared to summer’s peak alters the level of demand. Because you aren’t paying high season prices, there’s a chance you could save a whole heap of cash when booking airfares and accommodation. 

Watch out for sheep!

Since the days of the early settlers, sheep have been an important part of Icelandic life. More than a thousand years later, one of the delights of taking a spring or autumn road trip through the countryside is that you have a window onto the agricultural calendar. Lambing season is a busy time for Icelandic farmers, some of whom have huge flocks of sheep to care for. Everyone mucks in as the ewes give birth to their lambs in the sheep sheds and are then moved to accessible paddocks where they can be closely monitored. 

After a summer spent grazing on upland pastures, it’s all hands on deck again as the sheep are brought down to the farms for winter. This livestock roundup, known as the réttir, is a community affair and visitors are welcome to join in. It takes place throughout September, so check the internet for precise dates and times as although events usually happen on a weekend, it’s not the same across the country. That means if your travel dates in Iceland span more than one weekend you might even join in twice as soon as you’ve seen how much fun it is. 

A word of caution: always scan the roadside for strays, particularly lambs that have been accidentally separated from their mother, so that you have plenty of time to stop if they dash out in front of you.

It’s the Northern Lights season

If you’re not yet familiar with the science behind the aurora, you might be wondering what a section on the Northern Lights is doing in an article about spring and autumn road trips rather than winter. Actually, timing your visit close to the spring and autumn equinoxes in March and September can be a wise move.

 Statistically, records show that there’s a slightly higher chance of solar activity at these times of year. Nothing is certain when it comes to Northern Lights forecasting, and you may encounter thick clouds and see absolutely nothing at all. Yet, if you hit the jackpot, especially as we are now in the solar maximum period, you might be treated to some extraordinary displays. All you need is darkness, but although you’ll have to wait longer for the sun to set in spring and autumn, once the sky is black, you’re all set. 

Having a rental car means that you have total flexibility to seek out the aurora wherever you like. If you’re a first-timer, consider driving over to Aurora Basecamp on the Reykjanes Peninsula for an evening with the experts. They’ll explain the science behind this incredible natural phenomenon and equip you with the skills to head out and find it over subsequent nights by yourself. Consider it a wise investment.

As you can see, there are a number of excellent reasons why driving in Iceland in spring or autumn makes a lot of sense. You’ll enjoy a lot of the benefits that come with a summer road trip yet dodge the worst of the higher prices without having to commit to fixed plans many months in advance. The roads will be quieter, giving you more room at the most popular tourist attractions and removing the need to wait patiently for a parking space to free up. 

Driving here in spring and autumn doesn’t quite come with the good odds of mild, sunny weather like you’ll (hopefully) enjoy from June to August, but can you really call it an Iceland vacation if you haven’t experienced at least some drama with the weather?