Leave Reykjavík around 8:00 AM, after filling the van and buying groceries; Krónan or Bónus are usually the best-value options, and a fuel stop near Hveragerði is sensible before heading farther east. Follow Route 1 toward Vík, allowing roughly 2½–3 hours of driving without stops. Iceland’s South Coast is easy to navigate, but wind can make a campervan feel slow and exposed, so check road.is and safetravel.is before departure. Your first stop is Seljalandsfoss, about 1¾ hours from Reykjavík. Allow 45 minutes, bring waterproof layers, and expect a parking fee of roughly 1,000 ISK; the path behind the falls is slippery and may be closed in strong wind.
Continue about 25 minutes to Skógafoss for an hour. The waterfall is free to view, though parking may be charged, and the staircase beside it gives a good elevated perspective if you want a short climb. Spray is heavy at the base, so keep cameras protected. If you have not eaten, use the van for a quick snack rather than relying on roadside options—the next planned meal is in Vík.
Drive approximately 30 minutes onward to Black Crust Pizzeria in Vík for lunch. It is a relaxed stop for wood-fired pizza, with a typical cost of about 3,000–5,000 ISK per person; allow around 45 minutes and check same-day hours, as South Coast restaurants can adjust schedules seasonally. After lunch, drive roughly 15 minutes to Dyrhólaey Lighthouse and viewpoint. Spend about an hour exploring the viewpoints and sea cliffs, looking toward the distinctive arch and black-sand shoreline. Puffins can sometimes be seen in summer, but keep well back from cliff edges and nesting areas; access may be restricted during nesting season or high winds.
Return to Vík Camping, only about 15 minutes from Dyrhólaey, and settle in before the evening wind increases. It is a convenient base close to town, with toilets and showers, though facilities and shower availability can vary by season—confirm current arrangements on arrival. Campsites in August can fill, so arrive earlier rather than late and follow the marked van pitches. Keep food secured inside the camper, use the campground kitchen if available, and take a short walk into Vík only if conditions are comfortable; otherwise, this is a good night to rest after the drive.
Start at Reynisfjara Beach early, ideally around 8:00–9:00 AM, before the parking area and viewpoint become busy. Allow about an hour for the black-sand shore and basalt columns, but stay far above the wet-sand line: sneaker waves are a serious risk here, and never turn your back on the sea. Afterward, drive the short distance into Vík for a substantial late breakfast or early lunch at Smiðjan Brugghús. Expect roughly 3,000–6,000 ISK per person; check the day’s opening time before leaving, as hours can vary in the shoulder season.
Leave Vík around noon and follow Route 1 east toward Fjaðrárgljúfur, roughly 70 km away. The canyon is reached via a short access road and a marked rim trail; allow about an hour, and keep to the paths because the vegetation is fragile. Continue east to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, arriving mid- to late afternoon. Park at the visitor center, pay the national-park parking fee, and hike toward Svartifoss—allow two to three hours for the round trip, with an optional continuation to the viewpoint if weather and energy cooperate. The trail is uphill at first, so carry water and wear shoes with good grip.
Settle in at Skaftafell Campground, conveniently located beside the park trails. It is one of the easiest nights on this route for a van: toilets, showers, and basic camper facilities are generally available, though seasonal services and payment arrangements can change. Arrive before the evening rush if possible, fill water, and prepare dinner at camp; there are limited nearby dining choices. Check the next morning’s conditions on road.is and the park forecast, since wind and rain can make the exposed trails feel much harder than the distance suggests.
Leave Skaftafell around 7:00 AM with a full tank and breakfast supplies; this is a long but beautiful day, and the stops are spread across roughly 280 km of Route 1. Aim first for Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, about 45 minutes away. Allow 1–1½ hours to watch the icebergs rotate through the lagoon and drift toward the sea. Zodiac and amphibian boat tours generally run in summer, but reserve ahead and check the morning departure times; otherwise, the shoreline walk is free, with parking typically around 1,000 ISK. Cross Route 1 on foot to Diamond Beach for about 45 minutes, where the stranded ice blocks are most striking near the river mouth—stay clear of the waves, which can surge unexpectedly.
Continue to Höfn for lunch, roughly an hour from the lagoon. The harbor area is the practical choice for a relaxed meal and fuel, with local restaurants serving Icelandic langoustine; budget approximately 4,000–8,000 ISK per person. From town, drive about 20 minutes to Vestrahorn at Stokksnes. The access road leads to a private attraction area, usually charging around 1,000 ISK per person, and the black-sand shoreline is best explored slowly rather than treated as a quick photo stop. Allow 1½ hours, keeping an eye on wind and visibility—fog can arrive quickly around the mountain.
Continue east toward Lagarfljót Lake and the Hengifoss trail, allowing roughly two hours for the drive from Vestrahorn and another two hours if you hike. The trail is steep in places; even in August, bring a waterproof layer and allow extra time for the return. If weather, fatigue, or road conditions make the waterfall unrealistic, simply enjoy the lake viewpoints and arrive at Tjaldsvæðið Egilsstöðum before the campground fills. The campground is conveniently close to Egilsstaðir, with toilets, showers, electricity and cooking facilities typically available for an additional fee; expect roughly 2,500–4,000 ISK per adult, though seasonal prices and reception hours can change. Park on arrival, plug in if needed, and confirm shower access before settling in—then keep the evening easy, since tomorrow’s drive toward Lake Mývatn is another full travel day.
Leave Egilsstaðir around 7:30 AM after refueling and checking road.is for wind, visibility, and Route 1 conditions across Möðrudalsöræfi. Before committing to the long drive west, make the short trip to Vök Baths on the shore of Lake Urriðavatn. Allow 1½–2 hours for the floating geothermal pools; advance reservations are wise in August, and admission is typically around ISK 7,000–9,000 per adult. Keep the visit efficient, as the drive onward to Stuðlagil Canyon and then Lake Mývatn makes this a full day.
Continue Route 1 toward Jökuldalur, then follow the signed approach to the east-side trailhead for Stuðlagil Canyon. Check road conditions before leaving the main road, as the approach includes rough gravel and conditions can change quickly. The east-side walk takes roughly 30–45 minutes each way, with about two hours at the canyon; the basalt columns and blue-green river are best viewed from the official lookout. Pack lunch and water—services are scarce along this stretch—then return to Route 1 for the final leg toward Lake Mývatn.
Arrive near Námafjall in the late afternoon and spend about 45 minutes at Hverir Geothermal Area, where bubbling mud pots and sulfur-stained ground make this one of Iceland’s most otherworldly stops. Stay on the marked paths, since the ground can be dangerously hot, and expect a strong sulfur smell. From Hverir, it is only about 10 minutes by van to Vogar Travel Service and Campsite in Reykjahlíð. Check in before settling down, confirm that showers are operating, and buy any missing supplies while nearby shops are still open; campsite fees are generally around ISK 2,000–3,000 per adult, with showers sometimes included or charged separately. Skool Beans is in Vík, not on today’s route, so save it for the south-coast portion rather than making a major detour.
Begin at Mývatn Nature Baths in Reykjahlíð, ideally around 8:30–9:00 AM, before setting off west. Allow about 1½ hours for the warm mineral water, steam rooms, and views across the volcanic landscape. Admission is typically around 6,000–7,500 ISK per adult, and advance booking is wise in August; check the current opening time when reserving. Afterward, top up fuel and water in Reykjahlíð, then follow Route 1 toward Goðafoss, roughly 45–50 minutes away. The waterfall is a short walk from the parking area, with an accessible viewpoint on both sides of the river; 45 minutes is enough for the main overlooks.
Continue about 35 minutes to Akureyri and park near the compact town center, where most sights and cafés are walkable. Give yourselves roughly 1½ hours for lunch and a little wandering around Hafnarstræti and the harbor. For a reliable, casual meal, try Strikið for Icelandic dishes and broad fjord views, or Café Berlin for sandwiches, soup, and coffee; budget approximately 2,500–6,000 ISK per person. Fuel and stock up here if needed, since the Vatnsnes detour has fewer convenient services. Leaving around 1:30–2:00 PM keeps the rest of the day manageable.
From Akureyri, continue west on Route 1, then take the Vatnsnes Peninsula turnoff toward Hvítserkur. This is a substantial detour—allow roughly 2½–3 hours of driving in addition to the normal route to Borgarnes, and check road.is before committing, especially if wind or rain is strong. The final approach includes gravel, so drive slowly and confirm your rental agreement permits it. From the viewpoint, a short path leads down toward the beach and the distinctive offshore basalt stack; allow about 1½ hours, but skip the beach descent if conditions are slippery or the tide is pushing in. If the timing looks tight, it is better to enjoy the peninsula briefly and reach camp before dark than to rush the drive.
Return to Route 1 and continue to Borgarnes Camping, arriving in the early evening. Check in before reception closes—seasonal hours can change—and confirm whether showers are included or require coins, as facilities and prices vary by season. Expect roughly 2,000–3,000 ISK per adult for camping, with hot showers sometimes charged separately. Set up the van, use the campground kitchen if available, and keep dinner simple after the long road day; Borgarnes has supermarkets and takeaway options nearby, but do not count on late opening hours. Park securely, charge devices, and check Route 1 and weather conditions tonight so tomorrow’s return south can start early.
Leave Borgarnes by about 6:30 AM and follow Route 1 south toward Ölfus, allowing roughly 3½–4 hours of driving before the Þakgil detour. Check road.is and the forecast before setting out, particularly for wind across the open stretches of the south coast. Keep the first stop focused: Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant is a memorable place for breakfast or an early lunch, with turf-roofed, Viking-themed surroundings and hearty dishes. Allow about an hour and budget approximately 4,000–8,000 ISK per person; confirm its August opening hours and breakfast service in advance, as hours can be seasonal.
Continue east on Route 1 to Vík, arriving around early afternoon if traffic and weather cooperate. Crepe.is makes an easy, relaxed food stop before the final gravel-road drive—choose a sweet crepe or a savory filling, with most meals costing roughly 2,000–4,000 ISK. Allow about 45 minutes, and use this opportunity to top up fuel and buy anything needed for the campsite, since there are fewer conveniences near Þakgil. From Vík, follow the signed Route 214 turnoff toward Þakgil; the rough gravel road takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and a suitable 4WD van is essential. Do not attempt the road if conditions are poor, and confirm access directly with Þakgil Campground before leaving Vík.
Arrive at Þakgil Campground in the mid-afternoon, allowing 1½–2 hours to settle in and walk into the dramatic canyon. The campsite is wonderfully atmospheric, with mossy cliffs and a sheltered setting that feels far removed from the Ring Road. Confirm current shower and bathroom availability when booking—facilities can be basic and seasonal—and bring cash or a backup payment method if requested. Since the campground is remote, treat this as a short visit rather than a rushed overnight plan if the van must be returned today.
For a 5:00 PM van return, the itinerary is not practically achievable if you first drive to Þakgil: the campground lies east of Vík, while Reykjavík is back to the west, making the return drive roughly 3½–4½ hours before refueling, cleaning, and vehicle inspection. To meet the deadline, leave Borgarnes early, visit Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant and Crepe.is, then proceed directly back west on Route 1; aim to reach the rental depot by 4:00 PM after refueling and removing rubbish. Visit Þakgil only if the van return is moved to a later date or the campsite stop is changed to a brief photo stop near Vík.