Nobody who stayed on the metro came back with a better story.
The UAE outside Dubai is a whole different ball game. Mountains, coastline, desert, heritage as well as cities, all within two hours of Sheikh Zayed Road. Most visitors never see any of it. The ones who rent a car and actually drive do. And they’re the ones who end up planning a second trip before the first one ends.
Where to go, what vehicle to use, and what to know before you head out of the city.
Why Renting a Car Is the Only Way to Properly Explore the UAE
The obvious spots are linked by public transportation. It misses all the good ones.
The highlights of the best road trips from Dubai are the Hajar Mountain passes, the roads along the east coast that follow the coast of the Gulf of Oman and the desert areas that are entirely different from what you’ve left behind. None of that works without a car.
And here’s the thing people don’t expect, driving in the UAE is genuinely enjoyable once you’re out of city traffic. Roads are smooth, well signed and fast.
Abu Dhabi to Sheikh Zayed Road is 2 hours. The Dubai to Al Ain Road runs through open desert with mountain views to the right and left. Driving to Fujairah passes through the Hajar Mountains on an exciting road.
The Road Trips Actually Worth Doing
Hatta: Mountains, Dam, and a Complete Change of Scene
An hour fifteen from Dubai. That’s it.
The Hatta Dubai Road trip will take you through the Hajar Mountains and drop you off at a dam with rocky peaks and blue water. It is completely different to the rest of the UAE.
Kayaking, hiking trails, mountain biking, a heritage village as well as more than you have time for in a day.
A sedan handles the drive completely. Roads are paved and maintained right up to main sites. When you’re looking to venture onto the mountain roads from the main road, then an SUV can be useful.
Fujairah: East Coast Beaches and the Hajar Mountain Drive
The drive to Fujairah is the point. Not just the destination.
The road cuts through the Hajar Mountains and the scenery changes after every couple of minutes. Rock faces on either side. Opens views unexpectedly. Then you cross the other side and you are in the Gulf of Oman, rather than the Arabian Gulf.
The Dubai to Fujairah Road trip takes around ninety minutes each way.
Snoopy Island off Al Aqah beach is the most popular stop, good snorkeling, clear water, easy to spend a few hours there.
A sedan is all you need for this one.
Ras Al Khaimah: Jebel Jais and the Longest Zip Line in the World
The Jebel Jais is located 1800 m high. During summer, it is the only place in UAE which feels cool.
Bring a jacket, in the winter, really.
The climb uphill is an experience in itself. At the top of the mountain is the longest zip line in the world and the mountain section offers viewpoints to stop and take in.
Ras Al Khaimah is about an hour from Dubai.
A sedan is ideal for driving on the road. But don’t rush through the mountain section.
Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Corniche
It takes approximately one and a half hours to drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi via Sheikh Zayed Road. Easy to follow and signed.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is truly one of the most amazing structures in the area. Get there early because it’s a popular place.
The Corniche then follows the water, offering a completely different perspective of Abu Dhabi from the highway.
This is a really full day trip! Worth it.
Al Ain: The Green City That Surprises Everyone
Most people don’t put Al Ain on the list. They should.
It’s inland, along the Dubai to Al Ain Road, and it’s noticeably greener than anywhere else in the UAE.
Jebel Hafeet just outside the city is considered one of the best mountain drives in the Gulf like smooth, winding, and worth doing at sunset.
The UNESCO heritage oasis in the city centre is genuinely impressive.
A midsize sedan is all you need.
What Car to Take for Each Trip
| Destination | Road Type | Best Car Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Hatta | Paved, mountain roads | Sedan or crossover |
| Fujairah | Highway and mountain pass | Sedan or crossover |
| Jebel Jais | Mountain road, paved | Sedan or SUV |
| Abu Dhabi | Highway | Any category |
| Al Ain | Highway and city | Sedan |
| Desert self-drive | Off-road tracks | SUV only |
For desert safari self-drive or any off-road route, don’t attempt it in a standard sedan. A properly maintained SUV with good ground clearance is the minimum.
Scenic drives in the UAE on paved mountain roads are completely fine in a comfortable sedan.
Road Trip Essentials and Driving Tips for the UAE
A few things that catch people out on scenic drives in the UAE.
Salik charges apply on Sheikh Zayed Road and several other major routes. Your rental car has the tag already. Top up the account before you go, running out of credit mid-highway is avoidable.
Speed limits change frequently on the same road. Cameras are fixed and automatic. Watch the signs consistently rather than assuming the limit stays the same.
Fuel is cheap. Fill up in Dubai before leaving rather than looking for stations in mountain areas where options thin out quickly.
Best time of year for road trips is October through April. Summer is manageable in mountain destinations but coastal and desert routes are genuinely brutal in July and August.
Plan around this and the trips are far more enjoyable.
Friday morning is the best departure time for weekend getaways from Dubai. Roads are quiet before 10am.
Saturday afternoon on Sheikh Zayed Road heading back into Dubai can add forty minutes to an hour.
Make sure to leave before 3pm or after 7pm.
How to Book the Right Rental Car for Your Trip in UAE
Match the vehicle with the trip and not the price.
A midsize sedan or crossover is a good size for everything on paved roads.
If you are traveling in the desert or on off-road conditions, reserve an SUV that has sufficient clearance.
Depending on your travel plans, either daily rental packages or weekly packages that are available for car rentals for day trips Dubai are suitable.
Hala Drive covers economy, sedan, crossover, and SUV categories with maintained vehicles across all price points, worth checking before you finalize your itinerary.
People Also Ask
Which is the best road trip from Dubai for one day?
Hatta as well as Fujairah are the two best options for a full day out of Dubai. They’re both less than two hours from the city in both directions and diverge in their scenery.
Is it necessary to rent an SUV from Dubai for road trips?
If you have to drive on paved mountain roads, a sedan will suffice. If the UAE road trips are self-drive, then they involve off-road tracks as well as desert driving, then an SUV is needed.
Is it possible to take a Dubai car hire to Abu Dhabi and other emirates?
Yes. The majority of car rental Dubai for day trips packages are available for all the Emirates in the UAE. If traveling into Oman, please check with your provider prior to bookings.