AED 110
per day- 5 seats
- 3 bags
- Automatic
AED 650 per week · AED 2,600 per month
Rental guide
Dubai to Abu Dhabi by Rental Car: Route and Rules
Abu Dhabi is about 140 km from Dubai, around an hour and a half on the E11 highway in normal traffic. A car rented in Dubai can be driven there. The two things to know are that the rules on speed are stricter and the toll system is different.
Written by the Najd Rent a Car team. Last reviewed .
Which route should I take?
The E11, Sheikh Zayed Road, is the direct route and runs from Dubai Marina past Jebel Ali to Abu Dhabi. The E311 and E611 run parallel inland and are useful when the E11 is congested near Jebel Ali. All three are wide, well-lit highways with service stations along the way.
What is different about driving in Abu Dhabi?
Speed enforcement. In Abu Dhabi the number on the sign is the enforced limit, with no margin above it. Drivers used to Dubai are caught out by this every day. Watch the signs closely after you cross the border.
Abu Dhabi also has its own road toll, called Darb, which applies on the bridges into the city at peak hours. In a rental car it is recorded against the plate and passed on to you, in the same way as Salik in Dubai.
What should I check before I go?
Check your daily mileage allowance, because a return trip with some driving in the city is around 300 km. Fill up before you leave, although fuel is easy to find. Leave early to avoid the morning rush out of Dubai, and plan your return outside the evening peak.
Official sources
Rules change. Check the current position with the authority concerned before you travel.
Cars mentioned in this guide
AED 175
per day- 7 seats
- 3 bags
- Automatic
AED 1,200 per week · AED 4,200 per month
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Dubai to Abu Dhabi: questions people ask
Can I drive a Dubai rental car to Abu Dhabi?
Yes. A car rented in Dubai can be driven across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi. Confirm your mileage allowance first.
How long is the drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
About an hour and a half from central Dubai to central Abu Dhabi in normal traffic, covering roughly 140 km.
Are there tolls between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
You will pass Salik gates in Dubai, and Abu Dhabi charges its Darb toll on the bridges into the city at peak hours. Both are billed to you through the rental company.
Which car is best for a Dubai to Abu Dhabi day trip?
Any car in good condition will do it. For comfort with a family, a compact SUV such as the Mitsubishi ASX at AED 110 per day is a good balance.
Can I hire a driver for a day trip to Abu Dhabi from Dubai?
Yes. Najd Rent a Car provides chauffeur-driven cars. Give us the date and the places you want to visit and we will quote the day.
Still have a question?
Call or WhatsApp 058 595 2763. Same number for both.