If you’re planning a self-drive trip to Ireland, one of the first questions you might have is: how long does it take to drive around the entire country?
The answer depends on how much you want to see, how many stops you plan to make, and whether you want to explore Northern Ireland as well. While Ireland isn’t a huge country, its winding roads, stunning landscapes, and countless attractions mean that rushing through it wouldn’t do it justice. You want to allow yourself enough time to properly immerse yourself at each attraction before moving on.
In this guide, we’ll break down what to expect when driving around Ireland, the factors that influence travel time, and how to make the most of your road trip.
Driving Around Ireland
If you were to drive non-stop around Ireland, the total driving time would be:
- Republic of Ireland only – Roughly 24 hours of driving (~2,000 km / 1,240 miles)
- Including Northern Ireland – Roughly. 30 hours of driving (~2,500 km / 1,550 miles)
Realistically, you aren’t going to travel non-stop without sleeping, and the actual time needed to drive around Ireland depends on how much time you want to spend at attractions, exploring towns, or taking scenic detours. Most travelers spend 7 to 14 days driving around Ireland to properly enjoy the experience.
Factors That Affect Driving Time
1. Road Types & Speed Limits
Ireland has a mix of motorways, national roads, and smaller rural routes, each affecting driving speed and travel time. Even if a route looks short on a map, driving on rural roads can take longer than expected, especially if you are driving in rush hour traffic.
2. Traffic Conditions
Popular attractions: The most significant factor affecting driving time is traffic! In the peak tourist months of June to August, there may be more traffic near popular attractions. Parking can also be limited in busy areas.
- Cities: If you’re driving in cities like Dublin, Cork, or Belfast, you can expect slower traffic.
- Rural areas: If you’re driving through rural areas or one-lane roads, you may need to drive more carefully and slowly.
- Winter conditions: Shorter daylight hours and occasional storms or icy roads can slow travel times.
3. Stops & Attractions Along the Way
One of the biggest reasons a drive around Ireland takes longer than the actual driving hours is the sheer number of incredible places to stop! Unlike a road trip in some larger countries, where driving is just a way to get from A to B, in Ireland, the journey itself is part of the experience. You’ll find yourself stopping for scenic coastal views, historic castles, or impulsive stops in charming small towns. Regular stops make the journey a lot longer but also make the trip more rewarding, as you can take in all these sights instead of constantly driving.
How Long Should You Spend Driving Each Day?
On a self-drive tour, the amount of time you spend driving per day will vary, depending on the locations on your itinerary on any given day. While it might be tempting to cover as much ground as possible each day, you don’t want to spend so much time driving that you limit your time to enjoy Ireland’s beauty. We would recommend roughly 3-5 hours of driving per day, a comfortable pace but also enough time for plenty of sightseeing stops.
If your time is limited, we would recommend you focus on specific regions and have time to completely explore them, rather than trying to rush through the entire country.”
How Many Days Should You Drive Around Ireland?
As we mentioned, you could drive without stopping for 24-30 hours to circle the entire island, but this would mean driving in darkness, going without sleep, and not getting to fully experience each location. The real question is: how long do you want to spend enjoying it? The correct answer will be different for each individual, but our rough guide would be:
- 1 week = A highlight trip, covering key attractions with moderate driving.
- 2 weeks = A complete loop around Ireland, with time for scenic detours.
- 3-4 weeks = A deep dive into every corner of the country, including hidden gems.
No matter how long you have, whether just a few days or several weeks, a self-drive tour allows you to experience Ireland’s beauty, history, and culture at your own pace.
Self-Drive Tour of Ireland
If you’re thinking about driving around Ireland, let us help with a custom self-drive itinerary, pre-booked accommodations, and expert local recommendations. Alternatively, if you would rather leave the driving to someone else, our partners at Ireland Prestige Tours offer private driver-guided tours all across Ireland.
