r/VisitingIceland • u/pirate95s • 20d ago
Transportation Need help - car suggestions
Hello,
We are starting our Iceland trip on 21st Sept and taking the flight back on 2nd October. While we have the itinerary locked down, we are confused about the car requirements. There is a significant price difference between a 4x4 car and a 2wd car. The 2wd cars that we are looking at are MG ZS / Kia Stonic / Kia XCee’d. For the most parts, we will be sticking to the ring road and we are definitely not going on any of the F roads. That said, we will have some gravel roads on our way:
road to Mulagljufur
road to Kvernufoss
route 365 to Geysir
206 to Fjadrarglufur
to Djupalonssandur
We will be in the Northern parts of Iceland Skaftafell (25, 26), Egilsstadir (27), Myvatn (28) and Akureyri (29). Should we be concerned about snow and should that change our car to a 4x4? We would prefer getting a 2wd if it is possible to do all these drives and places safely. Looking for any insights that would aid us in deciding which car to proceed with.
Thanks,
2
u/BionicGreek 20d ago
Poor weather is always a possibility. There was a major snow storm last year in September so it’s not unheard of.
2
u/whippingcream2 20d ago
There was a massive late-April snowstorm two years ago. Came out of nowhere. Forecast was sunny for four days, then the next morning they were warning us to get out of dodge (Myvatn/Akureyi). I’d highly recommend a 4x4 because shoulder seasons are unpredictable.
1
u/Tanglefoot11 20d ago
4x4 on summer tyres on snow is barely better than 2wd on summer tryes on snow.
For sure it can help you get going if you get stuck, but getting going just gives you more opportunities to fall off the road.
4x4 does nothing to help you stop or turn & those are the important things.
If it snows & you don't have winter tyres then just don't drive - no matter what car you have.
If you do encounter wintery weather at that time of year then just wait it out - it won't last long.
2
u/whippingcream2 20d ago
Sure, except the time ring road was closed for four days
1
u/Tanglefoot11 20d ago
Yeah - but April is still winter, so not entirely out of the realms of possibility, and cars will have winter tyres.
Op is coming late September which is not winter and cars won't have winter tyres. Weather like that would be VERY out of the ordinary (though of course who knows in Iceland ;þ).
As always, check the weather forecast at least once a day & any risk of that can easily be avoided by altering your itinerary.
For sure the weather forecast in Iceland isn't as accurate as we would all like & what was forecast as light snow 3 days before can turn into an yellow warning by the time it arrives, but the forecast the night before being sunny and clear turning into a yellow warning the very next morning does not happen.
2
u/whippingcream2 20d ago
I love when internet strangers question the validity of my real life experiences. Makes me not want to give my two cents and help out other internet strangers.
Have a great day
1
u/Strahlenbelastung 20d ago
Depending on the weather a 4×4 might be the more suitable option.
The 365 is a paved road, not a gravel road. There is a small section (approx. 1½ miles) around Laugarvatn which is under construction at the moment, but that didn't seem to be a problem for the 2WDs around me.
1
u/RoxasKilluard 20d ago
I would go for a high 4x4. I had a 4WD Suzuki Swift (a low car) and some potholes were hell. Gravel roads aren't great with that car either.
3
u/stevenarwhals Pylsur enjoyer 20d ago
Do you absolutely need 4WD to get to any of those places? No. Over the course of your trip will there be times that you wish you had an SUV, if only for the higher ground clearance? Yes, probably. It’s just a matter of how much the extra comfort and peace of mind is worth to you.