Okay, let me tell you about my recent trip driving from Riyadh down to Abu Dhabi. It wasn’t anything too crazy, but folks sometimes ask about the drive, so I figured I’d share how it went for me.
Getting Started
First off, the idea popped up because I had a couple of free days and wanted a change of scenery. Abu Dhabi isn’t too far, relatively speaking, and I prefer driving for these shorter regional trips. Gives me more control, you know? Plus, I like seeing the landscape change, even if it’s mostly desert.
So, I decided, right, let’s do this. Didn’t need much planning besides making sure the car was okay. Checked the oil, tires, the usual stuff. You don’t want trouble in the middle of nowhere. Also made sure my car registration (Istimara) and insurance were valid for the UAE. That’s pretty important.
The Drive Out
I left Riyadh early in the morning. Packed some water, snacks – the essentials. The drive out of Riyadh was typical morning traffic, but once I hit the highway towards Al Kharj and then further east towards the UAE border, it smoothed out.
The road itself, highway 10, is mostly straight and decent quality. It’s a long stretch, mind you. Pretty much desert views all the way. I just put on some music, set the cruise control, and settled in for the long haul. Made one stop for fuel and a quick leg stretch somewhere past Haradh. It breaks up the monotony a bit.
Crossing the Border
The border crossing point is Al Batha on the Saudi side and Ghuwaifat on the UAE side. This is usually the part people wonder about.
- Saudi Exit: Pretty straightforward. Followed the signs for departure. They checked my passport and car documents. Got my exit stamp. Didn’t take too long this time, maybe 20 minutes total.
- UAE Entry: Drove across the short distance to the UAE side. Again, follow the signs for arrivals. First stop was immigration. Handed over my passport. They checked my visa status (I have a residency that makes it easy, but check your own requirements!). Quick eye scan, entry stamp, done.
- Customs & Car: Next was customs. They asked the usual questions – anything to declare? Just gave the car a quick look-over. Then had to sort out the car entry. Showed them my Saudi registration and the insurance certificate valid for UAE. They issue a temporary entry slip for the car. This part sometimes has a queue, but it moved steadily.
Important bit: Make sure your car insurance specifically covers the UAE. Some policies only cover the GCC if you add it as an option. Better check beforehand.
Into Abu Dhabi
Once past the border, the road quality stays good. You just keep heading straight towards Abu Dhabi city. The landscape starts to change a little bit as you get closer, a few more trees here and there. The signage is clear, mostly in Arabic and English.
It was another couple of hours drive from the border to the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. Then you hit the city traffic, which can be busy depending on the time of day. Navigating within Abu Dhabi is easy enough if you have a GPS or just use your phone maps.
Finally rolled up to my hotel mid-afternoon. Felt good to arrive after the long drive. All in all, the journey took maybe 8-9 hours including the border stop. It’s tiring, sure, but totally doable. If you like driving and want the flexibility, it’s a decent option between the two cities.
