Skyline, souks, grand mosques and mountain dams
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta
Dubai to Abu Dhabi
Dubai and Abu Dhabi sit about 123 km (76 mi) apart in a straight line, with Abu Dhabi to the south-west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta itinerary, a 7-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 123 km · 76 mi
- Est. road distance
- 147–172 km
- Est. drive time
- 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min
- Direction
- Heading south-west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 147–172 km (92–107 mi) of road and 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
Dubai Metro, taxis and ride-hailing apps cover Dubai. Abu Dhabi is about 90 minutes by car or intercity bus, and Hatta is about 90 minutes by car or the Hatta Express bus. Renting a car is easy, with excellent roads.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Abu Dhabi
The capital's grand mosque, cultural district and corniche. Stay 2 nights.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
White marble mosque with 82 domes, a vast hand-knotted carpet and reflective pools.
Mangrove National Park kayaking
Guided kayak tours through channels of protected mangroves near Eastern Mangroves.
Saadiyat Public Beach
Long white-sand beach with calm water, where hawksbill turtles nest in season.
Al Mina Fish Market
Port market where you pick fresh fish and have it grilled or fried at nearby stalls.
Observation Deck at 300
Café on level 74 of Etihad Towers known for afternoon tea and Gulf views.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
Jean Nouvel's domed museum on Saadiyat Island, spanning world art from antiquity to now.
Before you leave Dubai
Old creek souks to record-setting towers and beaches. Stay 3–4 nights.
On this curated route
Where Dubai → Abu Dhabi sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Abu Dhabi to Dubai is the same 123 km in a straight line, heading north-east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai high | 23° | 24° | 27° | 31° | 35° | 37° | 39° | 39° | 37° | 34° | 30° | 25° |
| Abu Dhabi high | 22° | 23° | 26° | 30° | 35° | 36° | 38° | 39° | 37° | 34° | 29° | 25° |
| Dubai rain | 17 | 8 | 16 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 14 |
| Abu Dhabi rain | 11 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Abu Dhabi month guides.
Dubai to Abu Dhabi: questions travelers ask
How far is Dubai from Abu Dhabi?
Dubai is about 123 km (76 mi) from Abu Dhabi in a straight line, with Abu Dhabi to the south-west. By road, we estimate 147–172 km (92–107 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
An estimated 1 h 30 min – 2 h 45 min, assuming 147–172 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi?
Our Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta itinerary includes this leg. Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Hatta runs about 7 days across 3 stops, best in Nov – Mar.
Onward from Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi to Hatta 181 km
Guides for both ends
- Dubai travel guide
- Dubai weather best time to visit
- Abu Dhabi travel guide
- Abu Dhabi weather best time to visit
Abu Dhabi by month
Plan Dubai → Abu Dhabi with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.