Single-Lane Bridges in Iceland: Rules, Priority and Safety

Single-Lane Bridges Are Everywhere on the Ring Road

Route 1, Iceland's Ring Road, is a well-maintained two-lane highway for most of its 1,322-kilometre length. But it crosses dozens of rivers, and many of those crossings are single-lane bridges (einbreið brú). These bridges date from the mid-20th century when traffic volumes were a fraction of what they are today, and they are too narrow for two vehicles to pass.

For tourists driving the Ring Road — especially the South Coast between Selfoss and Vík, and the East Fjords — single-lane bridges are unavoidable. Understanding the rules prevents accidents, confrontations, and the genuinely dangerous situation of two vehicles meeting head-on in the middle of a bridge with no room to pass.

How to Identify a Single-Lane Bridge

Single-lane bridges are marked with a blue sign showing two arrows pointing at each other through a narrow gap. The Icelandic text reads "Einbreið brú" — single-lane bridge. The signs appear approximately 150-200 metres before the bridge on both sides.

Some bridges also have flashing warning lights during periods of low visibility (winter, fog). But many do not. On the South Coast, some bridges are short enough that you can see the other side clearly. In the East Fjords, some are long enough that you cannot see oncoming traffic until you are already on the bridge.

The Priority Rule

The rule is based on arrival time: the vehicle that arrives at the bridge first has the right of way. If you reach the bridge before the oncoming vehicle, you proceed. If the oncoming vehicle reached the bridge first, you stop and wait.

If both vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, the vehicle that is closer to the bridge entrance has priority. In practice, this often requires a judgement call, and Icelandic drivers handle it by slowing down as they approach and making eye contact with the oncoming driver. A flash of headlights or a hand wave typically resolves any ambiguity.

Practical Driving Advice

• Slow down well before the bridge. Many tourists maintain full highway speed (90 km/h) until they are almost at the bridge, then brake hard. This is dangerous and does not give you time to assess whether a vehicle is approaching from the other side.
• If an oncoming vehicle is already on the bridge, stop. Do not try to race them. Single-lane bridges have no room for two vehicles.
• Pull over to the designated waiting area. Most single-lane bridges have a small gravel pullout on one or both sides for waiting vehicles.
• Be aware of wind. Single-lane bridges can be extremely exposed to crosswind. If you are driving a high-profile vehicle (campervan, SUV), slow down even more. Wind gusts on exposed bridges can reach 30-40 m/s (108-144 km/h) during storms.

The Most Notable Single-Lane Bridges on the Ring Road

The South Coast has the highest concentration. Between Vík and Höfn, you will cross approximately 15-20 single-lane bridges. Some notable ones include the bridges over the Skeiðará river delta (now bypassed by a longer but two-lane bridge), the Núpsvötn crossing, and several bridges in the Hornafjörður area near Jökulsárlón.

In the East Fjords, single-lane bridges appear on the steep mountain roads between fjords. These are particularly challenging because the roads are often narrow, winding, and on steep gradients — meaning you may need to reverse uphill if you misjudge the timing.