GCC Road Trips — Routes & Border Guides (2026)
Cross-border drives from the UAE across the Gulf: Dubai to Muscat, Salalah, Riyadh and Doha, each with border, visa and fuel-stop detail.
Popular GCC routes
Dubai to Muscat
Dubai, UAE → Muscat, Oman
- Distance
- 450 km
- Drive
- 4-5 h
- Borders
- 1
Dubai to Salalah
Dubai, UAE → Salalah, Oman
- Distance
- 1200 km
- Drive
- 12-14 h
- Borders
- 2
Dubai to Khasab
Dubai, UAE → Khasab, Oman
- Distance
- 195 km
- Drive
- 2.5-3.5 h
- Borders
- 1
Dubai to Riyadh
Dubai, UAE → Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Distance
- 1000 km
- Drive
- 10-11 h
- Borders
- 1
Dubai to Doha
Dubai, UAE → Doha, Qatar
- Distance
- 680 km
- Drive
- 6-7 h
- Borders
- 2
Bahrain to Kuwait
Manama, Bahrain → Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Distance
- 610 km
- Drive
- 5-6 h
- Borders
- 2
Countries you can drive to from Dubai
From Dubai you can reach four GCC countries by road: Oman (via Hatta or Mezyad border, 2–5 hours), Saudi Arabia (via Al Batha or Al Ghuwaifat, 6–8 hours to Riyadh), Bahrain (transit Saudi Arabia then the King Fahd Causeway, 8–10 hours) and Qatar (transit Saudi Arabia then Abu Samra border, 7–9 hours to Doha). Kuwait is reachable via Saudi Arabia but requires a longer multi-day drive. All routes require valid passports, vehicle registration, and motor insurance accepted in each country you enter.
Border crossing reference
| Crossing | Connects | Approach | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatta – Al Wajajah | UAE ↔ Oman | Dubai (E44) | Dubai to Muscat | Best-maintained crossing. UAE exit fee AED 35. Orange Card required. |
| Mezyad – Al Ain | UAE ↔ Oman | Al Ain / Abu Dhabi | Buraimi & inner Oman | Quieter than Hatta on weekdays; check opening hours before late travel. |
| Al Darah (RAK) | UAE ↔ Oman (Musandam) | Ras Al Khaimah | Dubai to Khasab | Fastest route to the Musandam fjords. Small, fast-moving checkpoint. |
| Al Batha | UAE ↔ Saudi Arabia | Abu Dhabi (E11) | Dubai to Riyadh | Main UAE–Saudi crossing. Manafith insurance and Saudi visa required. |
| King Fahd Causeway | Saudi Arabia ↔ Bahrain | Eastern Province | Onward to Bahrain | 25 km causeway with toll and dual immigration at the midpoint island. |
In season now
Khareef 2026 — drive Dubai to Salalah
The Dhofar monsoon (approx. 21 June – 21 September) turns Salalah green. Plan the 1,200 km route, visas and fuel stops before you go.