Petrol Stations in Iceland: The Road Trip Fuel Guide

Fuel in Iceland: What Drivers Need to Know

Iceland is a small country, but it is a small country with enormous distances between services on some sections of its road network. Running out of fuel on the Ring Road between Höfn and Egilsstaðir, or on any section of the East Fjords coast road, is not a minor inconvenience — it is an expensive and potentially dangerous situation in winter. This guide covers everything you need to know about fuelling a car in Iceland.

Fuel Types Available in Iceland

• Bensín 95 (unleaded 95 octane petrol): The standard fuel for most petrol cars. Widely available.
• Bensín 98 (unleaded 98 octane): Available at many stations, required or recommended by some performance and European-spec vehicles.
• Diesel (dísel): Widely available. Most rental 4WDs and campervans use diesel. Verify your vehicle's fuel type before filling.
• Electric charging: Available at major service stations on the Ring Road. Coverage is sufficient for the main Ring Road route with planning, but not for remote F-roads or off-ring road routes.

The Critical Rule: Fill Up Before Remote Sections

This is the single most important piece of fuel advice for driving in Iceland: always fill your tank at the last confirmed station before any remote section, regardless of how much fuel you have. A half-tank is not adequate insurance on sections where the next station may be 150 km away.

Most Critical Sections for Fuel Planning

• Höfn to Egilsstaðir (approximately 260 km): Stations at Höfn, Djúpivogur, Breiðdalsvík, and Egilsstaðir. Gaps of 60–100 km between stations in some sections. Fill at every opportunity.
• Egilsstaðir to Mývatn area (approximately 170 km via Route 1 north): Limited intermediate stops.
• Highlands F-roads: There are NO petrol stations on any F-road or in the interior. Fill to capacity at the last paved-road town before turning off.
• Westfjords routes: Some sections are very poorly served. Research specific routes before driving.

Main Petrol Station Chains

N1 (enn-eitt)

Iceland's largest fuel retailer with over 50 locations nationwide, including stations in most small towns on the Ring Road. N1 stations typically have the longest opening hours and the best facilities outside Reykjavík. Look for the red and white N1 logo.

Orkan

The second major chain, often slightly cheaper than N1. Many Orkan stations are automated 24-hour self-service pumps in smaller towns — these require a credit or debit card with a PIN. Note: some international Visa/Mastercard cards set up for signature rather than PIN may not work at unmanned automated pumps. Test your card before a remote section, not on one.

OB

Budget-focused chain, primarily in Reykjavík area but with a presence on the Ring Road. Often the cheapest option in the capital.

ÓB/Costco (Reykjavík area only)

Costco at Reykjavík's Ármúli location has the cheapest fuel in Iceland by a significant margin. If you are starting or ending your trip in Reykjavík, filling here saves money.

Fuel Prices in Iceland

Iceland's fuel prices are among the highest in Europe, reflecting the remote island location and import costs. As of early 2025, expect to pay approximately 240–280 ISK per litre for 95 petrol and slightly less for diesel. Prices vary by station and fluctuate with global oil prices. Budget significantly for fuel on a Ring Road trip — a standard 4WD SUV doing the full Ring Road will use approximately 100–130 litres total.

Payment at Petrol Stations

• All stations accept major credit and debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, and most international cards work at staffed stations.
• Automated/unmanned pumps require a PIN-enabled card: Many automated pumps in rural Iceland require a chip-and-PIN transaction. Contactless-only cards or signature-based US cards may be declined. Carry a PIN-enabled card.
• Cash is accepted at staffed stations but Iceland is effectively cashless — carrying Icelandic króna purely for fuel is unnecessary if you have a working PIN card.
• Pre-authorisation hold: Fuel pumps typically place a pre-authorisation hold of up to 10,000–15,000 ISK on your card. This is released after the actual transaction processes, usually within 1–3 days.

Emergency Fuel Options

If you find yourself critically low on fuel in a remote area:

• Call Vegagerðin's road assistance: they can advise on nearest fuel source
• Some farms along remote roads may have diesel for agricultural use — ask, but this is not reliable
• Roadside assistance from rental companies can arrange fuel delivery but at significant cost and time delay
• The safest option is never needing emergency fuel — fill up obsessively before remote sections

Summary

Fuel management is one of the practical skills that separates well-prepared Ring Road drivers from those who spend a stressful evening waiting for a rescue. The rule is simple: fill at every opportunity on remote sections, carry a PIN-enabled card, and confirm your vehicle's fuel type before the first fill. Iceland's petrol stations are generally well-maintained and easy to use — the only real risk is not reaching one.