Road Trips in Oman

Oman is the most rewarding self-drive country in the Gulf — empty highways, fuel cheaper than bottled water, and major sights spaced for a manageable 3–5 hours of driving per day. Below are the three road-trip itineraries that cover the country well.

Overview

7-day Northern Loop

Muscat → Nizwa → Jebel Akhdar → Jebel Shams → Misfat al-Abriyeen → Wahiba Sands → Wadi Bani Khalid → Sur → Ras al-Jinz → Wadi Shab → Muscat. ~1,400 km, 4×4 strongly recommended for Jebel Shams and Wahiba. Download GPX.

10-day Muscat to Salalah

Adds the Empty Quarter edge and the four Frankincense Trail sites to the northern loop. ~2,800 km. Fly back from Salalah or drive the 1,000 km coastal road via Duqm. Download GPX.

Musandam Add-On

2 nights in Khasab. Reach by 1.5-hour flight from Muscat or 6-hour drive through the UAE (visa required for both transits). Day 1 dhow cruise of the khors, day 2 Jebel Harim drive on the rim of the Musandam plateau. Download GPX.

Practical tips

Reserve Jebel Akhdar accommodation in advance — only Anantara, Alila and a handful of guesthouses are at the top, and they fill October–March.
Refuel anywhere with a queue under 2 cars; petrol is 0.220 OMR per litre and stations are sparse off the main routes.
Plan one rest day in Muscat at the start and another in Salalah or Sur in the middle. Driving Oman straight through is exhausting.

GPX downloads

↓ 7-day Northern Loop GPX ↓ 10-day Muscat–Salalah GPX ↓ Musandam Add-On GPX

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need an international driving permit?

Visitors with a UK, EU, North American or GCC licence can rent and drive in Oman without an IDP for up to six weeks. Other nationalities need an IDP.

Are Omani highways safe?

Yes, but speeds are high (120 km/h limit, 140 effective) and overtaking on single carriageway is frequent. Drive defensively and avoid night driving outside cities — camels.

Where do I stay on the Muscat–Salalah drive?

Standard overnights are Sur (or Ras al-Jinz Resort), Duqm (Park Inn or Crowne Plaza), and into Salalah. The Duqm leg is the long one — 600 km of straight desert road.

Is fuel readily available?

Yes on main highways. On the Empty Quarter edge from Thumrait, the next station after Thumrait is 150+ km away. Top up at every opportunity.