Öxi Pass Warning: When Google Maps Suggests Iceland's Shortcut
Photo note: Unless explicitly credited otherwise, the photos in this Iceland article are our original images from our September 27-October 6, 2024 Ring Road trip.
Eastfjords approach landscape before the more demanding mountain-road section.
Google Maps does not always choose the road that feels safest or most appropriate for a first-time Iceland driver. On our trip, it suggested a shortcut after the Vestrahorn area: Öxi Pass, Route 939.
The shortcut was shorter on the map, but it was steep, narrow, mountainous, and not a road we would want to discover after dark. It also had dramatic scenery and many waterfalls, which made the route memorable—but beauty should not be confused with ease.
The choice drivers should understand
The coastal Ring Road route takes longer. Öxi Pass can reduce the distance between the southeast and Egilsstaðir, but it is a mountain road with gravel and exposed sections. Conditions can change quickly with rain, fog, wind, cold, or early darkness.
A navigation app may optimize for distance or travel time without understanding your experience, vehicle, visibility, or comfort level. A camper van can feel very different from a small rental car on a narrow mountain road.
Our safety lesson
Do not accept the shortest route automatically. Before leaving, compare the suggested route with Route 1, check Iceland's official road and weather conditions, and decide while there is still daylight. If conditions are poor or you are tired, take the longer coastal route or stop for the night.
We especially would not recommend discovering Öxi Pass for the first time at night. The waterfalls and mountain views are better enjoyed when you have visibility and enough time to drive slowly.
Why we still remember it
The shortcut became one of the most intense parts of our loop. It was not simply a mistake: it gave us a dramatic landscape and many unexpected waterfalls. But the lesson is important for other travelers—an “efficient” route can be a demanding route.
We have drone and driving footage from this part of the trip, but the main lesson does not require a dramatic shot: if the route looks demanding and darkness is approaching, take the longer road or stop. The extra time is a better trade than discovering a narrow mountain pass when visibility is poor.
Read this with the Vestrahorn and Viking Village guide, the Hengifoss and Eastfjords guide, and the complete Ring Road itinerary.