þjóðvegur

Þjóðvegur is the Icelandic term for the country’s network of national highways—the primary roads designated as having national importance and numbered as Þjóðvegur followed by a digit (for example, Þjóðvegur 1). The name literally means “nation road” or “people’s road” and is used in official planning, signage, and everyday speech to distinguish these routes from local or municipal roads. The best known national road is Þjóðvegur 1, commonly called the Ring Road (Hringvegurinn), which circles Iceland and connects most towns, airports, and service centers.

The Þjóðvegur network is designed to provide reliable, year-round connections between major population centers, coastlines, and inland regions. It forms the backbone of Iceland’s road transport and supports travel, commerce, and emergency access. Many longer routes link with ferry ports, airports, and regional services. Highlands routes that require four-wheel-drive vehicles and are not part of the national road network are categorized separately as F-roads or mountain routes.

Administration and planning of Þjóðvegur is the responsibility of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin) under the Ministry of Transport and Local Government. Road improvements, maintenance, and safety standards for the network are funded through national budgets and, when applicable, regional arrangements.

In practice, Þjóðvegur routes are typically paved and maintained for all-season use, though Icelandic weather can affect driving conditions. The term is widely used in road signs, maps, and planning documents to denote the primary arteries that sustain Iceland’s national mobility.