Packing food for an Iceland road trip is one of the smartest ways to save money, stay flexible, and really enjoy the journey between those jaw‑dropping viewpoints. Distances can be long, weather can change quickly, and opening hours in small towns aren’t always what you expect—so having the right snacks and simple meals with you makes the whole experience smoother and more relaxing.
Staying with Ourhotels.is along the west coast of Iceland makes this even easier. With comfortable bases like Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður (near Borgarnes), Stykkishólmur Inn on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords, you can plan your food stops, repack your supplies, and head out each day ready for whatever the road brings.
Here’s how to pack and plan your food for an Iceland road trip, with some practical tips tied to each of these locations.
First, think about your driving days in “layers” of food: quick snacks for the car, simple picnic lunches, and easy dinners you can enjoy when you arrive at your hotel. For the car, focus on things that don’t melt or spoil quickly: nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, crackers, hard cheese, and chocolate. Icelandic skyr is also perfect—high in protein and widely available at gas stations and supermarkets. When you stay at Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, or Ísafjörður Inn, you can restock these basics in nearby shops before you head out again.
Next, plan at least one “backup meal” per day. This is especially important in the West and Westfjords, where restaurants may be few and far between, or closed outside peak hours. Instant soups, pre-cooked rice pouches, flatbreads, and canned fish or beans are all easy to store and quick to prepare. Many travelers like to keep a small stash of these in their luggage and refresh them at each hotel stop. For example, after a day exploring the waterfalls and hot springs around Borgarfjörður, you can return to Hvítá Inn, have a proper meal, and then reorganize your food box for the next leg of your trip.
Cooler bags or small coolers are extremely useful in Iceland. Even in cooler weather, the inside of a car can warm up, and you’ll want to keep dairy, meat, and fresh vegetables safe. Use reusable ice packs or simply freeze water bottles overnight. When you stay at Stykkishólmur Inn, you’re perfectly placed to do this: spend the day exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, then come back, chill your drinks and food for the next day, and repack your cooler before heading north or back toward Borgarfjörður.
Shopping smartly along the way will save you both time and money. Larger supermarkets (like Bónus, Krónan, or Nettó) are usually cheaper and have more variety than tiny village shops or gas stations. When you’re staying at Hvítá Inn near Borgarnes, you’re close to one of the better shopping hubs in West Iceland—this is a great place to do a “big shop” for the next few days of your road trip. Stock up on skyr, bread, sliced cheese, cold cuts, fruit, and some treats, then use Stykkishólmur Inn and Ísafjörður Inn as your “top-up” points for fresh items.
Think about how you’ll actually eat on the road. Iceland is full of scenic lay-bys, picnic tables, and viewpoints where you can pull over and enjoy a simple meal with a spectacular view. Pack a small “picnic kit” that stays in the car: a cutting board, a sharp knife with a cover, reusable plates and cutlery, a thermos for hot drinks, and a dish towel. This way, you can easily assemble sandwiches or a quick salad anywhere. After a day of picnics and snacks, it’s a relief to arrive at a comfortable place like Ísafjörður Inn, have a proper rest, and plan the next day’s food stops around the dramatic fjords and fishing villages of the Westfjords.
Weather is another reason to pack thoughtfully. Even in summer, it can be windy, rainy, or unexpectedly cold, and you may not feel like getting out of the car to search for a restaurant. Hot drinks and easy comfort foods make a big difference. Consider bringing tea bags, instant coffee, or hot chocolate, and use a thermos to keep water hot. Before you leave Stykkishólmur Inn or Hvítá Inn in the morning, you can fill your thermos and know you’ll have something warm to enjoy at a viewpoint or while watching the waves crash on a black-sand beach.
Food safety is important, especially when you’re far from services. Don’t leave highly perishable items in a warm car all day, and try to eat fresh meat or fish on the same day you buy it unless you can keep it properly chilled. Iceland’s tap water is excellent, so there’s no need to buy bottled water constantly. Just refill your bottles at each hotel—Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn all make it easy to top up before you hit the road again.
It’s also worth trying local Icelandic products as part of your road-trip food plan. In Borgarfjörður, while staying at Hvítá Inn, you’re within reach of farms and local producers—look for farm shops selling homemade jams, breads, and dairy products. Around Stykkishólmur Inn, you can sample fresh seafood in town, then pack smoked fish or local cheese for the next day’s drive around Snæfellsnes. In Ísafjörður and the surrounding Westfjords, you’ll find excellent fish, traditional dried fish snacks (harðfiskur), and sometimes small bakeries with pastries that make perfect road snacks.
Finally, think of your stays with Ourhotels.is as natural “chapters” in your road trip. Use each stop to reset:
– At Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður (near Borgarnes), do a major grocery run, organize your food boxes, and plan for the next few days of exploring waterfalls, lava fields, and hot springs.
– At Stykkishólmur Inn, refresh your supplies, chill your cooler, and enjoy a good meal in town before or after a day on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
– At Ísafjörður Inn, take advantage of being in the heart of the Westfjords to try local specialties, restock your snacks, and prepare for long, scenic drives between fjords and remote villages.
By combining smart food packing with comfortable, well-located bases like these, you’ll spend less time worrying about where to eat and more time enjoying Iceland’s landscapes. With a little planning, your car becomes a rolling picnic basket, your hotels become your resupply hubs, and your Iceland road trip becomes as relaxed and flexible as the open road ahead.
