Egilsstaðir & Eastfjords to Mývatn: travel options
Approximate direct distance: 123 km • Travel distance depends on the route and transport you choose.
Choosing your journey
Allow about two and a half hours for the basic drive to Reykjahlíð in good conditions. Add any waterfall detour separately, and arrive with time for a short first outing around Mývatn.
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Side-by-Side Transport Options
Driving times exclude stops. Car costs are shared by your group; tickets are per passenger.
Swipe the table horizontally to compare every option.
| Transport Mode | Operator / arrangement | Duration | Price guide | Start / arrival | Key Booking Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| car Self-drive | Self-drive planning | About 2h 30m | Shared vehicle cost; see guide |
Dep: Egilsstaðir
Arr: Reykjahlíð, Mývatn
|
Allow about two and a half hours for the basic drive to Reykjahlíð in good conditions. Add any waterfall detour separately, and arrive with time for a short first outing around Mývatn. Driving information |
Prepare in Egilsstaðir before the open-road section
Follow Route 1 west towards the Mývatn region. This is a useful stage to begin with groceries and fuel or charging arranged, rather than assuming services will appear whenever you need them. Check the weather for the whole stretch, not only the conditions outside your room.
The basic destination is Reykjahlíð. A hotel elsewhere around the lake changes the final approach and driving time. Enter the actual address and keep the first afternoon flexible after arrival.
Decide whether a detour belongs in this day
Dettifoss can be an additional outing if the access road and conditions suit. Check which approach is open and suitable for your vehicle. Do not substitute one side’s road or walking instructions for the other. The detour, parking and walk are outside the basic transfer estimate.
If you have two nights at Mývatn, a short first walk followed by dinner can be enough. Leave the main lake circuit for the next day. This makes it easier to choose outdoor stops around visibility and wind rather than trying to finish them before checking in.
Route 56 is useful when its schedule fits
Strætó’s regional route 56 connects Egilsstaðir, Reykjahlíð and Akureyri. Search the date, stop and current timetable. Arrange the distance from the stop to your room, and do not assume the bus offers time for a waterfall visit en route.
Mývatn guide · Northern transport information
Count the car once for your group
This is a self-drive stage, so there is no separate passenger fare. Add the full rental quote, chosen cover, road-use charges, fuel or charging, parking and any tolls to the trip once. If a charge is already included in the rental quote, do not add it again. Divide the shared total only after those costs are clear. The car-hire guide gives a worked comparison.
The basic road journey between the named endpoints is roughly 165 km, calculated from a road-network map. It excludes sightseeing detours and is not a live route recommendation. The map summary above shows straight-line separation. Check the actual address, current road conditions and weather forecast before departure; allow extra time for stops and conditions.