The Perfect 7-Day UAE Road Trip Itinerary: Dubai to Fujairah

The Perfect 7-Day UAE Road Trip Itinerary

The UAE is made for road trips: superb highways, cheap fuel, short distances and wildly varied landscapes — from Abu Dhabi’s grand avenues to Al Ain’s oases, Hatta’s mountains and Fujairah’s Indian Ocean coast. This 7-day itinerary loops through all seven emirates’ highlights with sensible driving days. Rent a car, load the playlist, and go.

Before You Go: Driving Essentials

• Car rental: From ~AED 120/day for an economy car; an SUV (~AED 200/day) is worth it for Hatta and Jebel Jais mountain roads.
• Licence: Visitors can drive on their home licence (many nationalities) or an International Driving Permit. Residents need a UAE licence.
• Fuel: Among the cheapest in the world — a full tank rarely exceeds AED 150–200.
• Tolls: Dubai’s Salik toll gates (AED 4 per crossing) and Abu Dhabi’s Darb gates — rental companies bill you after.
• Navigation: Google Maps or Waze work perfectly; download offline maps for mountain areas.
• Speed limits: Strictly enforced by cameras — 120–140 km/h on highways. Fines are heavy.

Day 1–2: Dubai

Base yourself in Dubai for two days of icons: Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Al Fahidi and the souks (with the AED 1 abra crossing), JBR Beach and the Marina Walk. Pick up your rental car on the evening of Day 2.

Drive: minimal — metro and walking.

Day 3: Dubai → Abu Dhabi (140 km, ~90 min)

Morning drive down the E11. Spend the day on the capital’s highlights: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (remember the entry fee — AED 10 for tourists — and dress code), lunch on the Corniche, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island (AED 70, closed Mondays). Sunset at Corniche Beach, overnight in Abu Dhabi.

Day 4: Abu Dhabi → Al Ain (150 km, ~90 min)

Head inland to the “Garden City.” Al Ain is the UAE’s heritage heart: the UNESCO-listed Al Ain Oasis (walk the shaded falaj channels), Jebel Hafeet mountain road (a driving thrill with a stunning summit view), Al Jahili Fort, and the camel market — one of the last of its kind. Overnight in Al Ain.

Day 5: Al Ain → Hatta (200 km, ~2.5 hrs)

Cross back toward Dubai then east into the Hajar mountains. Hatta is Dubai’s mountain exclave: kayak the turquoise Hatta Dam, mountain-bike the trail centre, explore Hatta Heritage Village, and cool off at Hatta Wadi Hub’s adventure activities. Overnight in a Hatta resort, caravan or dome tent.

Day 6: Hatta → Fujairah & the East Coast (120 km, ~1.5 hrs)

Descend to the Gulf of Oman coast — a different sea, different vibe. Snorkel at Snoopy Island, visit the historic Al Bidya Mosque (the UAE’s oldest), explore Fujairah Fort, and drive the scenic coast road to Khorfakkan with its amphitheatre and waterfall. Swim, eat grilled hammour at a beach shack, overnight in Fujairah or Khorfakkan.

Day 7: Fujairah → Ras Al Khaimah → Dubai (250 km, ~3 hrs)

The grand finale: drive north via the coast to Ras Al Khaimah, then up the Jebel Jais mountain road — 30 km of hairpins to the UAE’s highest viewpoints. If you’re brave, the 2.83 km Jais Flight zipline (book ahead). Descend and cruise back to Dubai via the E611, arriving by evening.

Alternative: The Slow Version

Have 10 days? Add: Liwa Oasis and the Moreeb Dune in the Empty Quarter (2 days), Sir Bani Yas Island wildlife safari (1 day), and a second night in Hatta for hiking.

Packing & Practical Tips

• Layers: deserts and mountains get surprisingly cold November–February, especially at night.
• Swim gear lives in the car — you’ll use it almost daily.
• Friday mornings are quiet (prayer time); plan mosque visits for afternoons.
• Keep water and snacks in the car; distances between services can be long on desert roads.
• Check-in times and Ramadan hours affect attractions — verify before each leg.

Seven days, seven emirates, one unforgettable loop. For single-destination deep dives, explore our UAE travel guides on Gulf Notice.