Abu Dhabi may be synonymous with futuristic skylines, luxury hotels, and glittering malls, but the emirate is also the ideal base for road trips that unravel the UAE’s wilder side. Within just a few hours of the capital, you can move from glass towers to palm-shaded oases, from limestone ridges to the empty horizon of the Rub’ al Khali. Driving here is straightforward, the highways are excellent, and renting a car gives you the freedom to shape your own itinerary without relying on tours or transfers. What makes these routes extraordinary is not only the visual drama but also the way each drive reveals a different layer of the country’s history and landscape.

1. Al Ain - The Garden City Oasis

Just under two hours from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain is where the capital’s modernity gives way to deep-rooted heritage. Nicknamed the Garden City, it is home to leafy palm groves, falaj irrigation channels that date back centuries, and UNESCO-listed sites like the Al Ain Oasis. Sheikh Zayed, the UAE’s founding father, was born here, and the city maintains a slower, more traditional rhythm that contrasts with the energy of Abu Dhabi.

Key stops include Al Jahili Fort, built in the 19th century from sun-dried mudbrick and now housing exhibitions on explorer Wilfred Thesiger, and the Al Ain Palace Museum, which offers a window into Emirati life in the mid-20th century. To explore fully, having your own car is essential. As Octane Rent (https://octane.rent/monthly-car-rental-abu-dhabi/), a leading UAE car rental platform, notes, flexible rentals allow you to see not only the city itself but also the surrounding mountains and gardens at your own pace.

  

2. Jebel Hafeet - Abu Dhabi’s Mountain Drive

Rising to 1,240 meters on the edge of Al Ain, Jebel Hafeet is one of the region’s most dramatic drives. The 11-kilometer mountain road is a ribbon of smooth asphalt, curving through dozens of switchbacks before reaching the summit. Frequently ranked among the world’s most photographed roads, it is beloved by driving enthusiasts and casual travelers alike. At the top, panoramic viewing terraces reveal Al Ain stretching into the desert, with glimpses of Oman on the horizon.

At the base lies Green Mubazzarah, a lush park with hot springs, picnic areas, and grassy fields - the perfect counterpoint to the stark limestone above. The ascent is best timed for early morning or late afternoon, when the light softens and temperatures drop.

3. Liwa Oasis - Into the Empty Quarter

Southwest of the capital lies the Rub’ al Khali, the Empty Quarter - the largest uninterrupted desert in the world. About a three-hour drive transports you into a cinematic landscape where sand dunes rise like mountains, glowing orange in the late-day sun. Liwa Oasis is a series of villages that have sustained life here for centuries, tied together by date palms and wells. It feels like the very edge of habitation.

The star attraction is Moreeb Dune, nearly 300 meters high, and the site of annual off-road racing festivals. Adventurers test 4x4s against its steep incline, but even standing at its base gives you a sense of the desert’s immensity. For travelers seeking luxury, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort offers camel treks, guided dune walks, and some of the most striking sunset views anywhere in the Gulf. For purists, camping under the stars in Liwa is incomparable - provided you are well-prepared and traveling in the cooler months.

4. Hatta - A Mountain Escape

Drive east for about 2.5 hours and you’ll reach Hatta, an exclave of Dubai carved into the Hajar Mountains. The air is cooler, the landscape more rugged, and the pace altogether slower than in the capital. The turquoise reservoir at Hatta Dam is the centerpiece, framed by craggy peaks, and is a popular spot for kayaking or simply sitting in quiet reflection.

Hatta is also home to the restored Hatta Heritage Village, where mudbrick houses and watchtowers recall the self-sufficient mountain life of past generations. In the cooler season, Hatta becomes a hub for outdoor activity. Mountain biking trails, zip-lines, and hiking routes fan out across the valleys, while the Wadi Hub transforms the area into an adventure playground.

5. Jebel Jais - The UAE’s Highest Peak

Reaching Jebel Jais, in Ras Al Khaimah, requires the longest drive from Abu Dhabi - roughly four hours - but the journey is richly rewarding. At nearly 1,934 meters, it is the highest mountain in the UAE and one of its most striking natural wonders. The ascent is a sequence of sweeping bends and cliffside roads, with viewpoints at intervals that offer vast panoramas of the Hajar range.

Temperatures drop significantly at higher altitudes, making Jebel Jais a favored summer escape. Beyond the views, the mountain is also a playground for adrenaline seekers. The Jais Flight Zipline is the longest in the world at 2.8 kilometers, propelling riders down the cliffs in a superhero harness. At the same time, the Jais Sledder alpine coaster provides a more family-friendly way to race down the mountain’s flank. In winter, hikers and campers spread out across marked trails and designated areas, enjoying the crisp night air under one of the clearest skies in the Gulf.

Practical Road Trip Notes

Each of these drives is possible as a day trip from Abu Dhabi, though some - particularly Liwa and Jebel Jais - reward an overnight stay. The UAE’s road network is excellent, but distances across the desert can be deceiving, and fuel stations become sparse once you leave the main highways. Winter and spring are the most pleasant months, as summer heat can make outdoor activities uncomfortable or even unsafe. Carry plenty of water, keep maps or GPS preloaded, and prepare for stretches with no services. With planning, these routes reveal the extraordinary diversity of the Emirates - a far more layered and fascinating destination than the city alone suggests.

Overview of the top road trips from Abu Dhabi, including distances, drive times, and key highlights:

Road Trip Route	Distance (one-way)	Drive Time (approx.)	Highlights
Abu Dhabi to Al Ain (City)	~170 km	~2 hours	Lush oasis, forts, cultural heritage (UNESCO sites)
Abu Dhabi to Jebel Hafeet	~175 km	~2 hours	Scenic mountain drive, panoramic summit views
Abu Dhabi to Liwa Oasis	~250 km	~3 hours	Empty Quarter desert, gigantic dunes, desert resort
Abu Dhabi to Hatta	~260 km	~2.5 hours	Hajar mountains, turquoise dam lake, heritage village
Abu Dhabi to Jebel Jais (RAK)	~300 km	~3.5 hours	UAE’s highest peak, hairpin mountain road, zipline