Ísafjörður is the largest town in Iceland's Westfjords, and it's one of the more rewarding detours for travellers who've already done the Ring Road or want to skip the crowds entirely. This guide covers how to actually drive there in a rental car, what the road conditions look like by season, and what to do once you arrive.
Short answer: Ísafjörður is reachable by rental car via Route 60, a mostly paved road with some gravel stretches and mountain terrain. Many travellers manage it in a 2WD car in summer, but a 4x4 is worth considering in the shoulder seasons and is generally the safer choice in winter, when some mountain passes can close or require extra caution. Check umferdin.is (Vegagerðin) and vedur.is before you go, since conditions on this route change more than they do on the Ring Road.
Where is Ísafjörður, and why do travellers add it to an Iceland itinerary?
Ísafjörður sits on a narrow spit of land in Skutulsfjörður, in the far north-west of the Westfjords peninsula, and it functions as the region's main town, with the widest range of shops, accommodation, and services in the area. It's also the practical gateway to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a roadless wilderness only reached by boat or on foot.
Compared to Akureyri or Vík, Ísafjörður sees far fewer visitors, which is exactly the appeal for travellers who've already ticked off the Golden Circle and South Coast and want a quieter, more remote stretch of coastline, fjord scenery, and small-town Icelandic life.
How do you drive to Ísafjörður from Reykjavík?
The main route is Route 60 (Djúpvegur), which branches off Route 1 north of Reykjavík and winds through the Westfjords via a mix of paved road, gravel sections, and mountain passes. Some older heaths that used to require a full climb over the mountain, like Breiðadalsheiði and Botnsheiði, are now bypassed by tunnels, though other passes such as Dynjandisheiði and the coastal stretch at Súðavíkurhlíð are still open-air and weather-exposed.
An alternative that some travellers use to shorten the drive is the Baldur ferry, which crosses Breiðafjörður between Stykkishólmur on Snæfellsnes and Brjánslækur in the south Westfjords, cutting out a large chunk of driving around the fjord. Schedules and capacity vary by season, so this is worth checking directly with the ferry operator if you're planning around it.
Because this is a long drive through changeable terrain, it's worth checking umferdin.is (Vegagerðin) and safetravel.is before departure, and again the morning you leave, conditions here can shift faster than they do on more heavily maintained Ring Road stretches.
Driving conditions to Ísafjörður by season
| Season | Road surface | Mountain passes | Recommended vehicle | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (roughly Jun–Aug) | Mostly paved, some gravel stretches remain | Generally open, but Dynjandisheiði and Súðavíkurhlíð can still see poor visibility or wind | 2WD often manageable, 4x4 still adds confidence on gravel | Long driving days; plan fuel stops, as towns are spread out |
| Shoulder season (spring/autumn) | Gravel sections more exposed to mud, loose stone, sudden weather | Passes can close temporarily with early snow or storms | 4x4 recommended | Daylight hours shrink quickly in autumn |
| Winter | Snow and ice on paved and gravel sections alike | Passes may close for hours or days; some require snow tyres or chains (check current requirements via umferdin.is/Vegagerðin) | 4x4 strongly recommended | Always check umferdin.is same-day; don't rely on the previous day's status |
Do you need a 4x4 to drive to Ísafjörður?
Route 60 isn't classified as an F-road, so a 4x4 isn't a legal requirement the way it is on Iceland's highland tracks (see our guide on F-roads and rental cars if you're also considering the interior). That said, the gravel stretches and exposed mountain passes on the way to the Westfjords behave more like winter driving conditions even outside winter, and a 4x4 gives more stability on loose surfaces and in crosswinds.
If you're travelling in summer with flexible timing and good weather, a well-equipped 2WD can be enough for many travellers, our breakdown on when a small car is enough and when it's not walks through exactly this trade-off. If you're going in the shoulder season or winter, it's worth working through the questions in do I need a 4x4 rental in Iceland before you book.
Every Blue Car Rental vehicle includes Gravel Protection as standard, alongside CDW, SCDW, Theft Protection, and Third-Party Liability, which is relevant here specifically because of the loose-surface sections on the way into the Westfjords. Tyre damage is covered under the Liability Waiver rather than the standard cover, so it's worth understanding what your insurance actually covers before a long gravel-road trip.
What to see and do in Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður's tourist attractions are compact and walkable in the town centre, with a few longer excursions nearby worth building extra time into your itinerary for.
- Neðstikaupstaður, a cluster of restored 18th-century wooden trading houses by the harbour, among the oldest in Iceland, now housing cafés and a small maritime museum.
- Westfjords Heritage Museum (Byggðasafn Vestfjarða), covers the region's fishing history, with exhibits on boats, gear, and everyday Westfjords life.
- Naustahvilft ("the Troll Seat"), a large bowl-shaped indentation on the mountainside above town, reached via a marked hiking trail with views back over the fjord.
- Ísafjörður swimming pool, a good way to warm up after a hike, as with most Icelandic towns.
- Boat trips to Vigur island, a small, still-inhabited island in Ísafjarðardjúp known for its birdlife, including puffins and eider ducks in season.
- Access point for Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, reached only by boat from Ísafjörður or nearby towns, since no roads lead into the reserve itself.
- Dynjandi waterfall, a tiered waterfall on the way in or out of the region via Route 60, worth a stop if your schedule allows.
Where to park and pick up your car before the drive west
Most Westfjords road trips start either in Reykjavík or straight from Keflavík Airport. If you're starting in the capital, our parking in Reykjavík guide covers the zone system so you're not guessing at meters before a long drive. If you have a bit of time before heading west, Reykjavík's craft beer scene, including RVK Brewing Company, is worth a stop.
If you're picking up directly at the airport, Blue Car Rental's online check-in and key-box pickup (for customers who add the Liability Waiver and complete online check-in) at Keflavík are designed to get you on the road without a queue at the counter, useful when you're facing several hours of driving on the same day. Given the length of the drive to Ísafjörður, it's worth picking up early rather than mid-afternoon.
Mistakes to avoid when planning a Westfjords road trip
- Underestimating the drive time. This is a longer, slower route than most Ring Road legs, treat it as a full travel day, not a quick add-on.
- Not checking umferdin.is the same morning you leave. Conditions on mountain passes here can change overnight.
- Booking a 2WD without a backup plan for shoulder season or winter travel. If the forecast turns, a 4x4 gives more margin.
- Assuming accommodation and fuel stops are as frequent as on the South Coast. They're not, plan ahead in a region with fewer towns.
- Skipping the ferry option without checking it. The Baldur ferry can meaningfully shorten the trip if the schedule lines up with your plans.
When is the best time to visit Ísafjörður?
Summer (roughly June to August) offers the most reliable access, with mountain passes generally open and long daylight hours for driving and hiking. Shoulder seasons can still work well but carry more risk of early or late-season weather affecting the passes. Winter travel is possible but requires more flexibility, a 4x4, and close attention to driving in Iceland in winter conditions, since some sections may close temporarily. Always cross-check current conditions with vedur.is and safetravel.is rather than planning around a fixed assumption.
The real question: is this trip manageable, or a risk?
The honest answer is that a Westfjords trip to Ísafjörður is manageable for most self-drive travellers who plan around the season rather than around a fixed itinerary. It's not the same as a Ring Road day trip, and it rewards flexibility, on vehicle choice, on timing, and on checking conditions rather than assuming them. Choosing a vehicle that matches your season, whether that's a 2WD for a settled summer week or a 4x4 for shoulder-season travel, along with insurance cover that fits gravel and remote driving, makes the difference between a memorable detour and an unnecessarily stressful one. You can compare options on our cars page before deciding what fits your route.
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