Why drive to Abu Dhabi yourself
Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from Dubai and takes roughly an hour and a half on the highway. The main sights are spread over a large city: the mosque is on one side, the Corniche in the middle, Saadiyat Island with the Louvre to the north-east and Yas Island further out. With your own car you can link them in the order that suits you instead of paying for several taxis. The roads are wide, well signed and in good condition, so a sedan is enough.
This guide is about planning the day. For toll details see our separate article on Abu Dhabi toll roads (Darb), and for the road itself our guide to driving from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
A sensible order for the day
- Early morning, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Arrive before the tour buses. Dress modestly, with covered shoulders and knees; visiting times and entry rules change, so check them on the day you go. Allow one to two hours.
- Late morning, Qasr Al Watan. The presidential palace is open to visitors and is close to the centre. It is a good indoor stop when the heat builds up.
- Lunch on the Corniche. The seafront promenade and beach have cafes and plenty of room for a walk. It is the easiest place to take a break from driving.
- Afternoon, Louvre Abu Dhabi. The museum sits on Saadiyat Island and the dome is worth seeing from the waterfront even if you do not go inside.
- Evening, Yas Island. Yas has the circuit, theme parks and a large mall. If you are tired, skip it and head back before the evening rush.
You will not do all five properly in one day. Pick three and leave the rest for another trip. Opening hours and ticket prices change, so we do not quote them: check the official sites before you go.
Kilometres: the honest arithmetic
Our rentals include 250 km per day. From Dubai Marina the mosque alone is about 140 km one way, so the return trip is already near 280 km before you drive around the city. Moving between the mosque, Corniche, Saadiyat and Yas adds roughly 40 to 60 km more. A full day therefore often ends somewhere around 320 to 350 km. All of these figures are approximate and depend on where you start and which sights you choose.
What to do about it: ask us the extra-kilometre rate before booking, or plan two days with a night in Abu Dhabi and ask how the allowance is counted over several days. Do not assume anything and do not leave it to the end of the rental.
Tolls, speed and parking
- Salik in Dubai. Leaving Dubai you may cross one or more Salik gates. Crossings are free from 1:00 to 6:00 and cost AED 4.20 off peak or AED 6.30 in peak hours (Monday to Saturday, 6:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00). Salik is paid by the renter at actual cost.
- Darb in Abu Dhabi. It is a separate system with its own rules: most gates charge on weekdays in peak hours and are free on Sundays and public holidays. Same renter-pays principle.
- Speed. Posted limits are usually 100 or 120 km/h. Abu Dhabi has no speed tolerance margin at all, so keep to the posted number. Fines are paid by the renter at actual cost.
- Parking. Abu Dhabi has its own paid street parking system, Mawaqif. The mosque, museums and malls have their own car parks. Check the signs and the payment method on the spot.
Which car to take
Prices below are as of October 2026 and per car page; the current price is always on the car page.
| Car | Day, AED | Week, AED | Month, AED | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry 2025 | 180 | 1,170 | 3,950 | Two to four people, comfort on the highway |
| Honda Accord 2024 | 180 | 1,170 | 3,950 | Same idea, a bit sportier |
| Kia Sportage 2025 | 190 | 1,240 | 4,200 | Family with luggage |
| Mitsubishi Outlander 2024 | 200 | 1,300 | 4,400 | Seven seats for a group |
| Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GXR | 520 | 3,120 | 10,400 | Space and presence |
Most cars need no deposit; if a car needs one, it is shown on its page. A few cheaper cars come from a partner company with their own terms, for example a deposit and a longer minimum rental, so check the page before choosing. Delivery anywhere in Dubai is free on rentals from 7 days; for shorter rentals delivery and return together cost 210 AED.
Practical tips
Leave Dubai before 6:00 if you want free Salik and light traffic, or after 10:00 to avoid the morning peak. Plan the return for before 16:00 or after 20:00, since traffic on the road into Dubai builds up in the late afternoon. Fill up before you leave, keep a bottle of water in the car and put the mosque into your navigation first, because it is the most popular stop and the earliest to fill up.
