Iceland looks small on a map. It isn’t small when you drive it. Sights are far apart. The weather shifts fast. Plans change. That’s normal here. Unlimited mileage lets you handle that without stress. No counting kilometers. No side-trip guilt. Just drive the distance your trip needs.
Blue Car Rental includes unlimited mileage on every booking. No caps. No per-kilometer fees. We’re a local company. We built our service around how people actually travel in Iceland. You’ll see why that matters as you read on.
Key notes:
- Unlimited mileage is included on every Blue Car Rental booking — no caps, no per‑km fees.
- Iceland’s distances and detours add up fast; self‑drive is essential beyond Reykjavík.
- Typical ranges: Golden Circle ~230–300 km; South Coast ~380–450 km; Ring Road week ~1,600–2,000 km.
- Choose the right vehicle and coverage for season and route (4×4 required for F‑roads when open).
- Check official road conditions (road.is) and plan around weather and daylight.
- Budgeting is simpler with unlimited mileage — one clear price for distance.
Iceland is big when you drive it
Distances stretch quickly. Towns are spaced out. You’ll stop more often than you expect. A short loop becomes a long day once you add viewpoints, coffee breaks, and walks to waterfalls or sea cliffs.
A good first outing is the Golden Circle. It looks easy on paper, but the stops are sticky — you’ll want time at each place. Use this turn-by-turn to keep your day relaxed: Golden Circle: Directions — an Iceland car rental guide.
The South Coast has the same “just one more stop” effect. A lighthouse here. A cave there. And always another waterfall. If Dyrhólaey is on your list, this field note helps you plan the timing and parking: Dyrhólaey: Self-Drive Guide to Iceland’s Scenic South Coast.
Short on time? West Iceland is a strong day from Reykjavík. It mixes easy trails, coastal lookouts, and simple driving. Build your loop from this overview: Things To Do in West Iceland – Explore Iceland’s Wild & Wondrous Frontier.
Public transport is limited outside the capital
Reykjavík has bus coverage. Outside the capital, service thins fast and rarely matches a flexible sightseeing plan. Many rural routes run only a few times per day (or week), with seasonal gaps, limited late‑night options, and tight connections. That makes it hard to follow good weather, catch sunset light, or stop at trailheads and viewpoints as you go. Long‑distance coaches mostly link towns on fixed timetables; they don’t reach gravel spurs, small car parks by waterfalls, or lesser‑known hot springs. This is why most travelers rent a car. If you want to check routes, the official site is here: Strætó. It’s helpful for airport transfers and city hops, but it won’t take you to the side roads, photo pull‑outs, and unplanned detours that make a trip feel personal.
How far people really drive
Paper plans say one thing. The odometer shows another. In Iceland, distances stretch because you keep stopping—for views, bathrooms, coffee, and short walks. Weather and daylight also nudge you to reroute or drive farther for clear skies. Gravel speeds are lower, fuel and photo stops take time, and small detours quickly add kilometers. That’s normal here. Use the rough ranges below as planning buffers, not hard caps—this is also where unlimited mileage earns its keep.
Simple benchmarks:
- Golden Circle: about 230–300 km with short detours
- South Coast to Vík and back: about 380–450 km
- Snæfellsnes loop: about 300–350 km
- Ring Road week: about 1,600–2,000 km, more if you chase weather or add hot springs and canyons
If you’re mapping a one-week loop, this day-by-day guide keeps it realistic: Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: 7-Day Road Trip Guide Around the Land of Fire and Ice.
Thinking about the Westfjords? It’s a big add-on with slower roads and longer gaps between services. This list will help you plan time and distance: Top Things To Do in the Westfjords by Rental Car in Iceland.
Why unlimited mileage changes your trip
No stress about extra fees
Mileage caps push you to watch the odometer. They make you skip worthwhile detours. That’s not how Iceland works. The country rewards curiosity. Unlimited mileage lets you follow that impulse without playing “should we turn back?”
Freedom to follow weather and light
You’ll check forecasts often. Clear skies might sit an hour away. Sunset color might build where you didn’t plan to be. The northern lights might flare late. When the sky calls, you go. For aurora nights, this simple plan helps: See the Northern Lights in Iceland: Where and When — Rental Car Tips.
Cleaner budgeting
Iceland can be expensive. One price that does not change? Distance. With unlimited mileage, you don’t pay extra for using the car the way it should be used. If you’re visiting in the colder months, read this road safety walkthrough and factor it into your day lengths: Driving in Iceland in Winter: A Complete Guide for Safe and Scenic Travel.
Why Blue can offer unlimited mileage
We’re local
We don’t copy a global policy that was designed for dense cities. We built our service around Iceland’s reality: long days, long distances, and weather that forces flexible plans. If you want unfiltered voices, read a few of these: Why Travelers Love Blue Car Rental — Real Trustpilot Stories from Iceland.
The fleet fits the journey
Cars are maintained for Icelandic roads and seasons. Choose 2WD or 4×4 based on the time of year and where you’re going. This quick chooser helps if you’re unsure: Best Car Rental Options for a Winter Road Trip in Iceland.
Interested in the Highlands? F-roads are seasonal and rough. You need the right vehicle and the right timing. Start here: F-Roads in Iceland: A Rental Car Guide to the Highlands.
Simple cover. Simple rules.
Unlimited mileage is part of a “no surprises” approach. The other piece is picking cover that matches Iceland’s mix of wind, gravel, and sand. This short explainer tells you what matters and why: Why Do I Need Insurance When Renting a Car in Iceland?.
How some providers treat mileage (and why that matters)
In many places, large brands still use mileage caps or per-kilometer pricing. That can work in city markets. It clashes with Iceland. A “quiet” day here can still hit 250–350 km once you add viewpoints and side roads.
If you’re weighing airport pickups and trying to keep logistics clean, this short compare helps you pick the right start point: Reykjavík Airport vs Keflavík Airport — What Travelers Need to Know.
Unlimited vs limited mileage — a clear comparison
Let’s say you do a 7-day Ring Road with common detours. That often lands around 1,600–2,000 km. Here’s how policy types change the bottom line:
|
Provider / Model |
Mileage policy |
Overage fees |
Example trip distance (7 days) |
Estimated extra cost |
Total cost predictability |
|
Blue Car Rental |
Unlimited |
None |
1,900 km |
€0 |
High — no per-km surprises |
|
Example Brand A (daily cap) |
250 km/day (1,750 km/week) |
€0.30 per km over |
1,900 km → 150 km over |
€45 |
Medium — depends on overage |
|
Example Brand B (per-km pricing) |
Base price + €0.20 per km |
Always charged |
1,900 km |
€380 usage fee |
Low — scales with distance |
These are sample figures to show how models work. Exact numbers vary by provider and season.
Starting in Reykjavík before the long loop? Ease in with a soft first day: 5 Things To Do When You Rent a Car in Reykjavík.
Scenarios where unlimited mileage pays off
Golden Circle + bonus stops
Plan the main loop. Then add viewpoints and spur roads if the weather plays nice. Use this simple route to keep the day on track: Golden Circle: Directions — an Iceland car rental guide.
South Coast to Vík and a bit beyond
The waterfalls and beaches pull you along. If tomorrow looks clear toward Skaftafell, you might push a little farther today. For timing and access at one of the key viewpoints, see: Dyrhólaey: Self-Drive Guide.
One-week Ring Road with everyday detours
A canyon here, a hot spring there. It adds up in the good way. This plan keeps you honest about distance and daylight: Iceland Ring Road Itinerary: 7-Day Guide.
Prefer a version written from our support desk view? Here’s another take: Iceland Ring Road — Blue Car Rental: Ultimate 7-Day Self-Drive Itinerary.
West Iceland or Snæfellsnes
Paper distance looks modest. Real distance isn’t, because you’ll stop a lot. Build your day from this idea list: Things To Do in West Iceland.
Westfjords extension
Huge scenery. Slower roads. Long gaps. Unlimited mileage takes the meter out of your mind while you manage time, fuel, and daylight. Use this checklist to frame the route: Top Things To Do in the Westfjords by Rental Car.
Practical notes: pickup, winter, maps, and cover
Most visitors grab the car at KEF and drive to the first base. If you want the hand-holding version of that flow, use: Rent a Car at Kef Airport (KEF).
If you’re here in winter and staying in the city first, this quick read bridges airport and Reykjavík with practical tips: Reykjavík in Winter: From airport to experiences.
For navigation, go offline-ready and keep a backup. This short piece explains what works well in Iceland: Can I Use Google Maps in Iceland? A useful rental car guide.
On cover, match it to route and season. Iceland’s wind, gravel, and ash make the choice more than a formality. Read this to avoid second-guessing at the counter: Why Do I Need Insurance When Renting a Car in Iceland?.
Costs to plan for (unlimited mileage removes one)
Unlimited mileage locks one variable — distance — so you can stop counting kilometers. But a smooth trip still depends on a few other moving parts: parking in Reykjavík, shifting road and weather conditions, and simple arrival/return logistics. Keep these in mind and you’ll avoid most surprises:
- Parking in Reykjavík uses zones and apps. Know the basics before you park downtown: Parking in Iceland: Car Rental Reykjavík Guide.
- Road conditions can change fast. Always check the official site before long legs or mountain roads: Vegagerðin — road.is.
- Arrivals and returns. Some travelers pick up at KEF and return in the city, or the reverse. If you’re split between the two, this short compare helps: Reykjavík Airport vs Keflavík Airport.
Side-trip ideas where extra distance is a feature
Two small detours that often become favorites: short, easy add‑ons with a big payoff. They’re perfect when the weather opens, you have a spare hour, or you just want one more view before dinner. Drop them into a Snæfellsnes day or a northbound loop to see more without rushing:
- Ytri-Tunga seals on Snæfellsnes. Low-key, photo-friendly, and easy to fit into a coastal day. Details here: Where to See Seals in Iceland: Ytri-Tunga by Rental Car.
- North Iceland loop for wide views and fewer crowds. Build your stops from this visual overview: Things To See in North Iceland — A Visual Journey Through Iceland’s Northern Beauty.
Final thought
Unlimited mileage matches Iceland. The country pulls you forward, mile after mile. Weather asks you to be flexible, and plans shift with the wind. Light asks you to take your time, wait for a break in the clouds, or drive a little farther for the view. A capped plan fights that and makes you count kilometers instead of moments. Blue’s plan supports it with simple pricing, no limits, and the right advice when routes change. That’s the point: freedom to go where the day takes you, without doing math. It’s less stress at the wheel and more time at the places you came to see. It’s easier budgeting, clearer choices, and no surprise bill at return. It fits how people travel here—long days, long distances, sudden detours. And it works in every season, whether you’re chasing summer sunsets or winter auroras. Unlimited mileage keeps the focus on your trip, not the odometer. That’s why we include it on every rental.
Start simple if you land at KEF. This quick guide shows how pickup works and how to hit the road right away: Rent a Car at Kef Airport (KEF): Simple Start to Your Trip.
And if you’re planning a winter visit, this concise primer sets your expectations for roads, daylight, and safety: Blue Car Rental Driving Guide for Iceland winter months.
SEAMLESS CAR RENTAL IN ICELAND: EASY PICK UP, DRIVE, AND DROP OFF
