How far is the Golden Circle from Reykjavík?

The 230 km figure is the honest minimum: out to the three main sights and straight back with no detours. The 300 km figure that other guides quote includes the southern leg down Route 35 past Kerið to Selfoss and back on Route 1, which is what most tours actually drive. Both are right, which is why I write 230 to 300 km depending on the detours.

Distance is not what makes the day long. Pure driving is a bit over three hours; the other three to five are spent standing at four stops, and on a coach, waiting for forty other people to come back to it.

The roads, in order: Route 1 out of Reykjavík, Route 36 to Þingvellir, 365 and 37 across past Laugarvatn to Geysir, Route 35 to Gullfoss and then back down past Kerið to Selfoss. All paved, all ordinary in summer. Þingvellir itself sits 40 to 45 km northeast of the city.

For the record, Keflavík International Airport is 45 to 50 minutes from Reykjavík in the other direction, which matters if you are trying to fit the loop around a flight; the private tour is the only one that will collect you at the airport. How the distance turns into hours is on how long the Golden Circle takes.

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