Best Road Trips From Dubai in a Luxury Car
Some of the best road trips from Dubai take less than two hours to reach. A short drive from Sheikh Zayed Road gets you onto mountain switchbacks in Ras Al Khaimah, along the Gulf of Oman coastline or to the edge of the Empty Quarter. The UAE’s highways are smooth and well signposted, so in the right car the drive itself is a pleasure.
Why take road trips from Dubai in a luxury car?
Most UAE getaways start with a long stretch of open highway and end with something more dramatic, like a mountain road, a coastal drive or a desert crossing. Which car you take changes the whole day. In a grand tourer, two hours on the highway are relaxing, and a capable SUV gives a family weekend the ground clearance and space it needs. Take a sports car, though, and the mountain hairpins become the best part of the trip.
Renting also lets you match the car to the route. You might take a convertible for a sunset drive along the coast and a 7-seater SUV for a family trip to the mountains.
The best road trips from Dubai at a glance
The drive times are rough estimates from central Dubai. Traffic, where you start and how often you stop will all change them.
| Destination | Approx. drive time | Best car type | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatta | Around 1.5 hours | Luxury SUV | Hatta Dam, mountain scenery |
| Abu Dhabi | Around 1.5 hours | Grand tourer or sports car | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island |
| Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah | Around 2 hours | Sports car or performance SUV | The road up the UAE’s highest peak |
| Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain | Around 2 hours | Sports car | Winding mountain road with wide views |
| Fujairah and the East Coast | Around 2 hours | Convertible or SUV | Beaches, Hajar Mountains, coastal roads |
| Liwa Oasis | Around 3.5 to 4 hours | Large SUV | Huge dunes on the edge of the Empty Quarter |
1. Hatta: mountains, dams and cooler air
Hatta is Dubai’s mountain enclave and one of the easiest escapes from the city. The road leaves the flat desert and climbs into the rugged Hajar Mountains. Once you’re there, you can kayak on Hatta Dam, visit the heritage village or spend the night in one of the mountain lodges.
A luxury SUV fits this trip. The Land Rover Defender 110 suits the landscape and has plenty of room for bags and outdoor gear. If you want something more refined on the highway, the Range Rover Sport gives you comfort and presence in equal measure.
2. Abu Dhabi: culture and circuits
The run down the E11 to the capital is mostly straight, fast highway, good for a comfortable grand tourer or a sports car you just want to enjoy. Stop at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, at Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island and at Yas Island, where Yas Marina Circuit is.
You can do it as a day trip, but staying overnight means you get to see the Corniche at sunset. If you’d rather not drive yourself, Noor Altareeq also has a chauffeur service, and delivery to Abu Dhabi is available for a fee.
3. Jebel Jais: the driver’s road
Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah is the UAE’s highest peak. The road to the top is one smooth, sweeping bend after another, with a big view at almost every turn, and car enthusiasts love it. At the summit there are viewing decks, cafés and the Jais Flight zipline.
This is a route for a sports car, and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is built for exactly this kind of road. If you want supercar performance with room for passengers, the Lamborghini Urus takes the mountain curves easily. It’s often noticeably cooler at the top than in Dubai, so bring a light layer, especially in winter.
4. Jebel Hafeet: Al Ain’s mountain climb
Near Al Ain, the road up Jebel Hafeet is often listed among the world’s great driving roads. Its wide, well-lit curves climb steadily to a summit that looks out over the desert and towards Oman. Add Al Ain’s oases, Al Ain Zoo and the hot springs at Green Mubazzarah at the foot of the mountain.
Go early in the morning or around sunset, when the light is better and traffic is lighter. Keep to the speed limits on the climb: cyclists and other drivers use this road too, and enforcement is common.
5. Fujairah and the East Coast
Crossing the Hajar Mountains to the Gulf of Oman feels like arriving in a different country. Fujairah, Dibba and Khor Fakkan have quieter beaches, good snorkelling and dramatic coastal roads. On the way you can stop at Fujairah Fort and at the Al Bidya Mosque, which is believed to be the oldest in the UAE.
In the cooler months a convertible is a great choice for the coastal sections. Families and groups may prefer a roomy SUV for beach gear and longer stays.
6. Liwa Oasis: into the Empty Quarter
Liwa is the longest drive on this list, and for us the most impressive. The road runs deep into the Abu Dhabi desert to some of the tallest dunes in the region, Moreeb Dune among them. Plan it as an overnight stay at one of the desert resorts.
Take a large, comfortable SUV. The Range Rover Vogue makes long-distance cruising easy, and for bigger groups the GMC Yukon Denali has seven seats and a lot of luggage space. Fill up before the remote stretches, because fuel stations are further apart once you leave the main towns.
Noor Altareeq Rent A Car
Got your dates? We can have the car at your door today.
Free delivery and collection anywhere in Dubai at any hour, comprehensive insurance and 250 km per day included. Message us your dates and we confirm the price in minutes.
How to choose the right car for your road trip
- Count passengers and bags first. Sports cars often have little boot space, and for families or weekend trips a 7-seater such as the GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade or Nissan Patrol is far more practical.
- Think about the road. Mountain roads like Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet are a joy in a sports car, while long desert highways favour comfort and refinement.
- Check the season. Convertibles are best from roughly October to April. In summer a closed car with strong air conditioning makes much more sense.
- For multi-day trips, ask about weekly rentals. They can be easier than booking day by day.
Practical tips before you set off
- What licence you need depends on your nationality and residency status. Some visitors can drive on their home licence, while others need an International Driving Permit. Rules can change, so confirm with the RTA or the rental team before you travel.
- Dubai uses Salik toll gates, and Abu Dhabi has its own Darb system. Ask the rental team how tolls are charged on your rental.
- Speed limits vary by road and cameras enforce them across the UAE. Watch the signs, as limits can change between emirates and between sections of the same road.
- Rental agreements usually set conditions on off-road driving and on taking the car outside the UAE, for example into Oman. Read the terms and conditions and check with the team first.
- Carry water, plan your stops and avoid long desert walks in the midday heat, particularly in summer.
How Noor Altareeq Rent A Car can help
Noor Altareeq Rent A Car owns its fleet of supercars, luxury SUVs, 7-seater family SUVs, convertibles and everyday cars, so there is a good match for whatever route you have in mind. Our most requested cars include the Lamborghini Urus, the Land Rover Defender, the Chevrolet Corvette and the Range Rover family (Vogue, Sport, Velar and SVR), and all of them suit UAE road trips well.
What we offer:
- Daily, weekly and monthly rentals.
- Free delivery inside Dubai: we bring the car to your hotel, home or office at no charge.
- Delivery to Abu Dhabi for a fee.
- Airport delivery and pickup, so you can head straight onto the highway.
- A chauffeur service, if you’d rather watch the scenery while someone else drives.
- Decorated wedding cars for your special day.
Our office is on Sheikh Zayed Road, between the Sheraton Grand Hotel and The H Dubai, near DIFC and World Trade Centre. You can read more about our company or find more guides on our blog.
Planning a trip? Message us on WhatsApp at +971 54 448 2521 or use our contact page to check availability and current rates for the car you have in mind.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best road trips from Dubai for a weekend?
Hatta, Jebel Jais, Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, Fujairah’s East Coast and Abu Dhabi all work well for a weekend. Liwa Oasis is a longer drive, so it’s best with an overnight stay.
Which car is best for a family road trip from Dubai?
A 7-seater SUV such as the GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade or Nissan Patrol gives a family plenty of room for passengers and luggage. Contact the team to check availability.
Can I take a rental car outside the UAE, for example to Oman?
That depends on the rental agreement, the insurance and the border requirements. Always check with the rental team before you plan a trip outside the UAE.
Can the car be delivered to me in Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Noor Altareeq delivers free anywhere inside Dubai and also does airport delivery and pickup. Delivery to Abu Dhabi is available for a fee.
How much does it cost to rent a luxury car for a road trip?
It depends on the car, the rental length and your dates. Contact the team on WhatsApp or through the website for current prices.