The best road trips from Dubai

A rental car in Dubai is not only for the city. Within two hours you can reach the highest road in the country, a lake in the Hajar mountains or the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The highways are wide and well lit, fuel stations are frequent, and a day trip is easy to plan. These are four drives that work well from Business Bay, with approximate distances and times that depend on traffic.

1. Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah

About 2 hours each way. Jebel Jais is the highest mountain in the UAE, and the road to its upper slopes climbs through a long series of hairpins with views over the Hajar mountains. It is the drive most visitors with a sports car have in mind. Leave early to avoid the heat and the traffic on the way north, and keep to the limit on the mountain road, which is watched by cameras.

At the top there are viewing points and restaurants, and the temperature is noticeably cooler than on the coast. In winter it can be genuinely cold in the early morning. The road suits a supercar, but the Urus or the Cayenne will be more comfortable if you travel with passengers.

2. Hatta

About 1 hour 30 minutes each way. Hatta is an exclave of Dubai in the Hajar mountains, reached by the E44 through desert and rocky hills. The town has a dam with turquoise water where you can hire kayaks, a heritage village, and walking and biking trails. The road is good the whole way, with some winding sections near the town.

Hatta is a good choice for a family day out, so it suits a larger SUV such as the Cadillac Escalade. Bring water and plan the return before sunset if you are not used to driving on unlit mountain roads.

3. Abu Dhabi

About 1 hour 30 minutes each way. The E11 coastal highway links Dubai to the capital. In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the stop that most visitors remember, with a dress code and visiting hours that should be checked in advance. Further on, Yas Island has the Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World and Yas Mall, and Saadiyat Island has the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Speed limits on the highway are higher than in Dubai on some sections and cameras are frequent, especially near the emirate border. Salik does not apply in Abu Dhabi, but Abu Dhabi has its own Darb toll system in the city at peak times; ask the rental company how it is charged on your car.

4. Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain

About 2 hours each way. Jebel Hafeet rises above the garden city of Al Ain, on the border with Oman. The mountain road is famous among drivers: around 12 kilometres of smooth tarmac with dozens of bends and lit at night. At the top there is a car park with wide views over the desert. Combine it with Al Ain's oasis and its museums for a full day.

Before you set off

• Ask the rental company if driving to other emirates is allowed on your car and how tolls outside Dubai are charged. Leaving the UAE, for example to Oman, normally requires special permission and insurance.
• Stay on tarmac. Rental terms normally exclude driving on sand. The desert photos you see online are taken at the edge of the road.
• Fuel and water. Fill up before mountain roads and carry water, especially from May to September.
• Daylight. Plan to be back on the main highways before dark on your first trip.
• Mileage. Rentals often include a daily mileage limit. A return trip to Jebel Jais or Al Ain can be 250 to 350 kilometres, so check your allowance.

Which car for which drive

For mountain roads with two people, a supercar is the obvious choice. For families, groups or long days with luggage, an SUV like the Lamborghini Urus or the Escalade is more relaxed. Our guide on choosing a luxury SUV helps you compare them.

Plan it with RG Speed

Tell RG Speed where you want to go when you request a car. The reply on WhatsApp covers the rate, the mileage included and any rules for driving outside Dubai. Collect the car in Business Bay or have it delivered to your hotel the evening before, ready for an early start.