Embarking on a road trip along the Ring Road requires smart planning and selecting the perfect basecamp. When you plan a trip to Selfoss, Iceland, you unlock the gateway to the dramatic landscapes of the southern region. Travelling by rental car gives you total freedom to set your own schedule, skip crowded tour buses, and adjust your itinerary based on weather. Selfoss offers a strategic starting point for exploring black sand beaches, colossal glaciers, and hidden geothermal valleys. This guide details why this bustling town is the ultimate launchpad for your self-drive holiday.
Why Selfoss is the Perfect Hub for Your South Coast Road Trip
Setting up your base camp in Selfoss, Iceland, offers unparalleled access to major southern sights without the high costs of staying in the capital. To understand where this vibrant town fits into the country’s urban landscape, read our guide on the top 9 cities and towns in Iceland, which details local culture, key urban services, and unique Icelandic history to make choosing your stops easier.
If you are planning an extensive road trip, incorporating this hub into a comprehensive 8-day Iceland itinerary allows you to split long driving stretches while remaining close to the Golden Circle and the Atlantic coastline.
- Even if you are on a tight schedule: Selfoss serves as the ultimate practical pit stop along Route 1 to refuel your car, stock up on cheap groceries, and grab supplies before heading further east into more remote coastal stretches.
Having a vehicle at your disposal lets you depart early to beat tourist crowds at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. To complement your South Coast road trip with glacier walks, super jeep tours, or local horseback riding excursions, explore available options on the Hertz Iceland TourDesk. The town serves as a commercial heartland, making it highly convenient for picking up supplies before venturing further east.
Where is Selfoss? Driving Distances and Map
Positioned nicely on the banks of the mighty Ölfusá (Olfus River), this hub connects the southwestern lowlands to the dramatic volcanic plains. Exploring Selfoss, Iceland places you right on Route 1 (Ring Road), making it an essential segment of any southern loop. If you want to optimise your route with incredible vistas, consult our guide to the top scenic stops and must-see viewpoints on Iceland’s Ring Road to plan your daily drives perfectly, ensuring you do not miss hidden valleys or majestic coastal cliffs. Driving here is straightforward, as the roads remain flat and well-maintained throughout the peak travel seasons.
Knowing the precise distances to other key settlements helps you budget your travel time and organise charging or fueling breaks. Below is a quick breakdown of travel times from this central location:
| Destination | Driving Route | Total Distance | Typical Drive Time |
| Keflavík International Airport (KEF) | Route 41 ➔ Route 1 | 96 km | 1 hour 15 mins |
| Reykjavík City Centre | Route 1 (via Hellisheiði Pass) | 50 km | 45 minutes |
| Vík í Mýrdal (Black Sand Beach) | Route 1 East | 128 km | 1 hour 40 mins |
| Geysir Geothermal Area | Route 35 North | 58 km | 50 minutes |
| Gullfoss Waterfall | Route 35 North | 70 km | 1 hour 00 mins |
How to Drive to Selfoss from Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport
When arriving in the country, securing your transportation early guarantees a smooth start to your vacation. For maximum convenience, you can book your vehicle directly at our Keflavík Airport car rental office, which includes rapid key handovers and immediate terminal access so you can bypass long shuttle queues. Alternatively, if you plan to spend your first evening in the capital, we offer convenient pickup options at our Reykjavík car rental desk located close to the city centre, offering helpful urban driving tips and easy departures. Hertz maintains several strategic car rental locations in Iceland to ensure you have access to a modern fleet, local advice, and friendly customer support wherever your journey takes you.
Self-Drive Routes to Selfoss: From KEF Airport & Reykjavík
Drive seamlessly to South Iceland’s central hub, Selfoss. Connect directly from Keflavík International Airport via Route 41 or depart from downtown Reykjavík along Route 1 over the scenic Hellisheiði mountain plateau.
Hertz Keflavík Airport
Hertz Reykjavík Downtown
Selfoss Town Center
The process of driving to Selfoss from the international airport is exceptionally simple and takes you through breathtaking volcanic fields. You will drive along Route 41 toward the capital, then transition to Route 1 heading south over the Hellisheiði mountain pass. Driving to Selfoss, Iceland takes about 75 minutes under normal conditions. Before setting out across mountain passes or coastal highways each morning, always check live road alerts and weather warnings on the official Hertz Iceland Safety Portal.
Best Things to Do in Selfoss Town
While many travellers view Selfoss as a quick refuelling stop, spending time here reveals authentic local culture away from tourist crowds. The town centre has undergone a major revitalisation, seamlessly blending historic architectural replicas with a modern cultural scene.
Exploring on foot is easy thanks to the town’s flat, pedestrian-friendly streets. Walk along the scenic Ölfusá riverbanks for spectacular golden-hour views of the iconic suspension bridge, or spend an afternoon browsing local art galleries, boutique shops, and cosy Icelandic cafes.
Selfoss Swimming Pool, Old Town, and Local Food
No visit is complete without stopping at Sundhöll Selfoss (Selfoss Swimming Palace), a favourite local attraction featuring outdoor geothermal pools, hot tubs, steam baths, and waterslides ideal for relaxing after a long drive.
After a soak, head directly to the newly built Old Town centre, a vibrant district housed in reconstructed historical buildings. This culinary heart of Selfoss offers lively food halls, craft beer bars, and farm-to-table restaurants serving fresh local dairy, seafood, and traditional pastries.
Best Stops Near Selfoss on the South Coast Route
Using Selfoss as a base allows you to explore South Iceland’s top attractions along Route 1 with total flexibility. Just 15 minutes north lies Kerið (Kerid Crater), famous for its vivid aquamarine volcanic lake.
💡 Hertz Local Parking Tip: ANPR Cameras & License Plate Accuracy
“When using paid parking at national parks and regional trailheads, ensure your rental car’s license plate details are entered accurately into the Parka app.”
Major Golden Circle sites and regional trailheads — such as Þingvellir National Park, Seljalandsfoss, and Reykjadalur — rely on automatic license plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. A single typo in your vehicle registration or choosing the wrong vehicle profile in Parka will result in an unpaid toll.
Avoid Admin Fees: Unsettled parking fees are forwarded directly to the rental agency and charged back to your account with added administrative handling fees. Double-check your rental agreement slip for the exact plate characters before completing payment. (Note: Kerið crater charges a per-person entrance fee at the gate kiosk rather than automated vehicle parking).
Heading east, you can easily reach the iconic waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. For an off-the-beaten-path adventure, hike through the Reykjadalur Geothermal Valley in neighbouring Hveragerði to soak in a natural warm river. Returning to Selfoss each evening guarantees easy access to excellent restaurants and full town amenities.
Recommended Rental Cars for Selfoss and South Iceland
Selecting the right vehicle is crucial for a safe and comfortable journey through these dynamic southern landscapes. For travellers planning to head into the rugged highlands or explore gravel paths, choosing from our fleet of 4×4 rental cars in Iceland provides the necessary traction, high clearance, and safety elements needed to handle changing terrain. A standard 2WD vehicle is perfectly fine for summer driving on paved sections of Route 1, but a 4×4 SUV offers greater stability in windy conditions. We strongly advise adding Gravel Protection (GP) and Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) to your insurance coverage to guard against paint and glass damage on rural roads.
| Vehicle Category | Recommended Season | Terrain & Route Capability | Safety & Driving Insights |
| 2WD Compact / Economy (e.g., VW Polo, Toyota Yaris) | Summer Only (May – Sept) | Paved highways (Route 1, Route 35, Golden Circle circuit) | Budget option for paved routes. Low fuel consumption; hold doors firmly in valley wind gusts. |
| Mid-Size 4×4 SUV (e.g., Dacia Duster, Suzuki Jimny) | Year-Round | Paved routes, loose gravel roads (e.g., Kerid, Reykjadalur), unpaved lots | Ideal balanced choice. High ground clearance protects against flying gravel; better traction on wet roads. |
| Full-Size / Premium 4×4 SUV (e.g., Toyota Land Cruiser, RAV4) | Winter & Severe Weather | Snowdrifts, black ice, coastal slush, and high crosswinds | Maximum winter safety. Heavy chassis resists gale-force coastal winds; equipped with mandatory studded winter tyres. |
Having the extra clearance of a larger vehicle also makes it much easier to access remote trailheads and scenic viewpoints. Always choose a car that matches your planned destinations and the expected weather conditions to ensure a worry-free self-drive vacation in Selfoss, Iceland.
Summer vs Winter Driving Conditions on Route 1
Driving conditions on Route 1 change dramatically with the seasons. Summer offers clear, paved highways and extended daylight, making navigation easy for all vehicle types. In contrast, winter brings sudden snowstorms, black ice, and powerful crosswinds. To ensure maximum traction, Hertz equips all rental vehicles with studded winter tyres during colder months.
Always hold car doors firmly with both hands when parked in open, wind-exposed areas to prevent severe hinge damage caused by strong gusts. Note that off-road driving is strictly illegal in Iceland to protect fragile terrain, and drivers must always respect temporary road closures.
All You Need to Know About Selfoss and South Iceland Driving
Where is Selfoss town located in Iceland?
Selfoss town is situated in southwestern Iceland along the Ölfusá river on Route 1 (Ring Road). It serves as the main commercial and administrative hub for the southern region.
How long is the drive from Keflavík Airport to Selfoss?
The drive covers 96 kilometres (60 miles) and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes via Route 41 and Route 1 under clear weather conditions.
Is Selfoss a good base for exploring the South Coast?
Yes, it is arguably the best basecamp in South Iceland, providing quick access to the Golden Circle, local hot springs, and major waterfalls alongside full town amenities.
What are the best things to do in Selfoss town?
Top town activities include soaking at the Selfoss Swimming Palace (Sundhöll Selfoss), dining in the historic Old Town food hall, and walking along the Ölfusá river.
Do you need a 4×4 to drive to Selfoss in winter?
While Route 1 is ploughed regularly, a 4×4 SUV equipped with studded winter tyres is strongly recommended for winter driving to navigate sudden ice, slush, and snowstorms safely. Always check safe.hertz.is before driving.
📚 Related Readings & Travel Guides
Planning your self-drive routes across Iceland? Explore our classic itineraries and essential rental car booking advice:
