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Riyadh to Jeddah and Makkah by Car via Taif: A Road Trip Guide

08 Nov 2026 2 min read Sajil Rent a Car
Riyadh to Jeddah and Makkah by Car via Taif: A Road Trip Guide

The road trip from Riyadh to the Hijaz is one of the best drives in the Kingdom, perfect for families, Umrah visitors and anyone who loves long roads.

Approximate distances

  • Riyadh to Taif: about 780 km on the highway.
  • Taif to Makkah: about 90 km via the Al-Hada or As-Sail road.
  • Taif to Jeddah: about 170 km.
  • Riyadh to Jeddah directly: about 950 km.

Why go through Taif?

Taif is the city of roses and mountains, cooler in summer, and the Al-Hada mountain road to Makkah is one of the most beautiful in the Kingdom. Sajil has a branch in Taif, so you can rent your car there if you fly in: car rental in Taif.

Two ways to rent

  1. Rent in Riyadh and drive straight away: car rental in Riyadh. You can choose another return branch when you book; a fee between cities applies.
  2. Fly to Taif, rent at the Sajil branch there, and drive between Taif, Makkah and Jeddah.

Road tips

  • Leave early in the morning and avoid driving at night in desert areas.
  • Take a break every two hours; there are fuel stations and rest areas along the way.
  • On the Al-Hada mountain road, drive slowly and use a low gear downhill.
  • In Makkah, use the official car parks and the shuttle buses to Al-Haram in busy seasons.

City guides

Ready for the road?

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