Roads

Roads that connect the built-up areas of the country. That road system shall connect agglomerations that have around 100 inhabitants or more.

Main roads also include the most traffic-heavy roads that connect municipalities in the Reykjavík area.

Roads on the highland that are important for transport and the travelling industry. Where a main road leads to an agglomeration it shall reach the first intersecting road of the agglomeration’s road system and end there. However, it is authorised to have a main road reach an airport or port, deemed important for the travel industry and transport.

A part of the main road system lies over the highlands, and naturally has less service than other main roads, as well as being closed during winter.

Connecting roads are roads outside of urban areas that lie from a main road to another main road or from a main road to a connecting road, and are at least 10km in length,

Roads that connect country roads to main roads.

Roads connecting agglomerations with fewer than 100 inhabitants to the main road system.

Roads leading to main airports and ports, that are important in terms of transport and travel industry, and roads to ferry ports that are not main roads.

Roads leading to and within national parks.

Roads to popular tourist attractions outside urban areas. Where a connecting road leads to an agglomeration it shall reach the first intersecting road of the agglomeration’s road system and end there.

Regional roads are roads that lead to farms, businesses, churches, public schools, and other public institutions outside urban areas that are included in plans and IRCA’s roads list. The addition of a road connecting a summer house area or at least 30 cottages to a highway can also fall under the definition of a regional road.

Applying for a new regional road

Country roads are roads across mountains or moors that the above criteria does not apply to, as well as decommissioned roads in deserted areas. The roads in question will be classed as part of the national road system, but traffic will be seasonal and they will require less maintenance and servicing than other highways.

Municipal roads are roads within an urban area that are not classified as highways, cf. Article 8, and are handled by municipalities and are meant for unrestricted public traffic.

General paths are riding trails, walking or biking paths for unrestricted public traffic and are maintained by state funds or by the relevant municipality.

Private roads are roads that cannot be categorised as highways or municipal roads, and are owned by individuals, companies, or public parties.