Driving in Iceland in December: The Darkest Month

December: The Darkest Month on Icelandic Roads

December in Iceland offers the shortest days of the year. Around the winter solstice (December 21), Reykjavík gets approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes of daylight. In Akureyri, the sun barely clears the mountains and the "daylight" is a dim twilight for 3-4 hours. For driving, this means nearly all your time on the road will be in darkness.

December is also a month of extremes. Temperatures can swing from -15°C to +5°C within the same week as Atlantic warm fronts and Arctic cold snaps alternate. A clear, calm morning can become a screaming blizzard by afternoon. Flexibility is not optional — it is the only strategy that works.

Christmas and New Year Traffic

The Christmas period (December 23-26) and New Year's Eve (December 31) significantly affect driving conditions in ways tourists do not expect. Many petrol stations reduce their hours or close entirely on Christmas Day and December 31. The N1 chain typically maintains limited service, but remote stations may be closed for 24-48 hours. Fill your tank before December 23.

Icelandic drivers travel between towns to visit family during Christmas, so the roads between Reykjavík and nearby towns (Akranes, Selfoss, Borgarnes) are unusually busy on December 23 and 26. Traffic volume is lower in remote areas.

December Road Expectations by Region

The southwest is your safest bet. The Golden Circle route is usually plowed and accessible, though the road to Þingvellir via Mosfellsheiði can be icy. The South Coast to Vík is typically driveable but expect closures during storms — which happen roughly one week in three during December.

The Westfjords in December are for experienced winter drivers only. Mountain passes like Dynjandisheiði can be closed for days. Snow depth at higher elevations can reach 1-2 metres. If you get caught, rescue takes hours.

North Iceland around Akureyri is cold but functional. The Akureyri-Mývatn road is usually maintained. But the coastal road to Húsavík and the mountain passes between fjords can be impassable after snowfall.

Essential December Driving Tips

• Start driving at first light (around 10:30-11:00am). You have maximum 4 hours of daylight. Plan your driving within this window if possible.
• Carry emergency supplies. A blanket, food, water, and a charged phone are minimum requirements.
• Use studded tires. Legal from November 1 to April 14, and genuinely necessary in December.
• Drive slowly. 70 km/h on the Ring Road in December conditions is more appropriate than the posted 90 km/h limit.
• Watch for ice at bridge approaches. Bridges freeze before roads because air circulates underneath. Slow to 50 km/h at every bridge.