Driving From Dubai to Abu Dhabi: What to Expect

The drive between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is one of the most travelled routes in the UAE. Commuters do it daily, and visitors often do it as a day trip. The highways are wide and well signposted, but a bit of preparation helps you avoid traffic, fines and unexpected costs.

Distance and driving time

The exact distance depends on where you start and finish. As a guide:

• Dubai Marina to Abu Dhabi Corniche: about 120 km, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes without traffic.
• Downtown Dubai to central Abu Dhabi: about 140 km, around 1 hour 30 minutes without traffic.

In the morning and evening rush, especially on weekdays, the Dubai end of the journey can add 30 minutes or more. Use the route planner with your exact addresses for a precise distance and time.

The main highways

There are two main ways to leave Dubai toward Abu Dhabi:

• E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road). The coastal route through Dubai, past Jebel Ali and on toward Abu Dhabi. It's the most direct route from areas near the coast, such as Downtown, Al Barsha and Dubai Marina.
• E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road). An inland highway that many drivers use to avoid traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road. It's often the quicker choice from areas further inland, and it joins the E11 before Abu Dhabi.

Which one is faster depends on your starting point and the time of day. A route planner will pick the quicker one based on typical speeds, but local traffic conditions can change the answer at peak times.

Tolls

Both emirates have road tolls, and they work differently:

• Dubai uses Salik, an automatic toll system. A tag on your windscreen is charged each time you pass under a toll gate. Several gates are on Sheikh Zayed Road.
• Abu Dhabi uses the Darb system, which charges vehicles on certain bridges and roads into Abu Dhabi island, mainly at peak hours. Cars need to be registered with Darb.

Toll prices and charging hours change from time to time, so check the official Salik and Darb websites before you travel. Rental cars usually pass toll charges on to you, sometimes with an admin fee. Add your expected toll cost under Cost & time settings in the planner to include it in the trip total.

Speed limits and cameras

Speed limits change between sections of the highway and between emirates, so watch the signs rather than assuming one limit for the whole drive. Fixed and mobile speed cameras are common along both routes, and fines are issued automatically. Keep a safe distance from the car in front; tailgating is also enforced.

Fuel cost

For a typical family car using around 8 to 9 L/100 km, the one-way trip uses roughly 10 to 13 litres. Multiply by the current UAE fuel price, which is set monthly, for your cost. Our guide on working out fuel cost explains the calculation in detail.

Rest stops

There are fuel stations with shops and cafés along both highways, so you don't need to plan fuel carefully for this distance. They're good places to take a short break on the way back after a long day, especially when driving at night.

Tips for a smoother drive

• Leave before 7 am or after 10 am on weekdays to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic out of Dubai.
• In summer, check your tyres and coolant before a long highway drive; heat is hard on both.
• Carry water in the car, especially in the hotter months.
• Watch for fog warnings in the early morning during winter, when visibility on these highways can drop quickly.
• Make sure your toll accounts have enough balance before you leave.