Car For Rent Dubai

Car Rental from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Drive between the UAE\'s two biggest cities — 90 minutes door-to-door, no border control, the same insurance, easy one-way drop-off. From 80 AED/day with no deposit.

90 min driving One-way available No border control

For one-way Dubai → Abu Dhabi, select Abu Dhabi as drop-off in the widget, or contact the supplier after booking to confirm one-way delivery.

The route — Dubai to Abu Dhabi by car

The drive between Dubai and Abu Dhabi is one of the easiest in the UAE: a single straight highway, the E11 Sheikh Zayed Road, runs from Downtown Dubai south to Abu Dhabi island. Total distance is about 140 km, and total drive time is 90 minutes off-peak, or 2 hours during morning/evening rush.

The road has 4–5 lanes each way, smooth tarmac, well-marked exits, and frequent service stations. The speed limit is 100–120 km/h depending on section, with cameras every few kilometres — stay within 20 km/h above the limit and you\'ll be fine.

One-way rental: pick up Dubai, drop off Abu Dhabi

Many travellers fly into Dubai, spend a few days, then fly out from Abu Dhabi (or vice versa). One-way rentals make this easy:

  • Pick up at DXB Airport, your Dubai hotel, or any supplier office
  • Drive to Abu Dhabi at your own pace (90 min direct, longer with sightseeing stops)
  • Drop off at AUH Airport, your Abu Dhabi hotel, or supplier office
  • One-way fee typically 100–200 AED added to the rental
  • No paperwork at the "border" — there isn\'t one

Stops along the way

If you\'re not in a rush, the Dubai–Abu Dhabi drive has several worthwhile detours:

Last Exit on the way

Themed food truck park at the halfway mark — popular pit stop with Western and Asian food.

Yas Island (exit 12)

Ferrari World, Warner Bros World, Yas Mall, Yas Marina Circuit. 20 km before central Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

One of the world\'s largest mosques — entry free, dress code applies. 10 km before downtown.

Saadiyat Island

Louvre Abu Dhabi, public beaches, Jumeirah St Regis Saadiyat. Just before downtown.

Tolls and parking

Salik (Dubai): gates on Sheikh Zayed Road within Dubai — 4 AED per gate, auto-charged via the rental car\'s tag.

Darb (Abu Dhabi): bridges to Abu Dhabi island — 4 AED during peak hours (7–9 AM, 5–7 PM Sun–Thu), free outside peak. Tag pre-installed.

Parking in Abu Dhabi: most public areas use Mawaqif paid parking (2–3 AED/hour). Hotels and malls offer free guest parking.

Round trip vs. one-way

Round trip works if you\'re returning to Dubai the same day or after a short stay — saves the one-way fee. Most travellers do this for sightseeing days.

One-way is the right choice when your flights are split between DXB and AUH, or when you\'re continuing south from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain or Liwa Desert.

Driving Rules in the UAE

Side of the road Right-hand traffic. All rental cars are left-hand drive.
Speed limits Urban 60–80 km/h. Highways 100–140 km/h. Speed cameras everywhere.
Tolls Salik in Dubai (4 AED per gate). Abu Dhabi has its own toll system.
Seat belts Mandatory for all passengers. Children under 10 in the rear.
Phone use Zero tolerance for handheld phone. Heavy fines for violations.
Fuel Around 3 AED per litre. ADNOC, ENOC, EPPCO stations everywhere.

Other UAE driving routes

Other UAE Pickup Locations

Documents Required

Required for all renters

  • Valid driving licence (held 1+ years)
  • Passport with valid UAE visa
  • Booking voucher / confirmation
  • Payment method for the balance

Recommended additional

  • International Driving Permit (IDP)
  • Second form of ID
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Hotel booking confirmation

Age requirements

  • Minimum age: 21 years
  • Under 25: young driver fee may apply
  • Luxury cars: 25 or 28 and above
  • Some SUVs: minimum 23 years

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
About 90 minutes (140 km) via the E11 Sheikh Zayed Road, the most direct route. With heavy traffic in the morning rush or returning Sunday evening, count 2 hours.
Can I rent a car in Dubai and drop it off in Abu Dhabi?
Yes — most local UAE suppliers offer one-way drop-off for a small fee (typically 100–200 AED). Useful if you're flying out from AUH instead of DXB.
Is there a toll between Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
No tolls on the highway itself. Salik gates apply within Dubai (4 AED per gate, auto-charged). Darb tolls apply on Abu Dhabi island bridges (4 AED, peak hours only).
Do I need any special documents to drive between emirates?
No — there are no border controls between UAE emirates. Your standard driving licence (UAE or home + IDP) and rental documents are all you need.
Can I take a no-deposit Dubai rental to Abu Dhabi?
Yes — same insurance covers all UAE emirates. The no-deposit policy applies regardless of where you drive.
What's the cheapest way to drive Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Economy car (Kia Picanto, Nissan Sunny) for the day. Round trip uses about 25 AED of fuel.
Is Sheikh Zayed Road dangerous?
It's the busiest road in the UAE — wide and well-maintained, but with high speeds (up to 140 km/h) and heavy truck traffic. Stay in the right lanes if you're not comfortable at speed.
Intermediary disclosure: Rental agreements are concluded directly between the customer and the local rental company. Car For Rent Dubai operates as an aggregator platform connecting travellers with licensed UAE suppliers.