Updated · Saudi Arabia Taxi Services
How far is Riyadh to Jeddah by road?
Riyadh to Jeddah by road is 950 km, with about 9 h of driving before any stops. The route follows Route 40 west from the capital to Taif, then comes down from the mountains to Jeddah on the Red Sea coast. Add two rest stops and a meal break, and the trip fills a full day door to door.
Most travellers between the two cities fly. We run the drive for the people the road suits better: families moving with a lot of luggage, travellers with pets, and anyone who wants to stop in Taif on the way.
The route, stage by stage
- Pickup at your home, hotel or office in Riyadh, then west out of the city on Route 40.
- Riyadh to Taif: the long desert stretch, about 788 km. Services are spread out on this road, so the driver fuels up before leaving and carries water.
- Two rest stops and a meal break on the way, included in the fare. The driver also stops for prayer whenever you ask.
- Taif: the last city before the coast, and the place to stop for a meal, a short visit or a night.
- Taif to Jeddah: 170 km on Route 40 and the Al Hada road, about 2 h. The road uses the Makkah bypass, so there is no need to enter central Makkah.
- Into Jeddah and on to your hotel, your home or King Abdulaziz International Airport.
What is the road like?
The section from Riyadh to Taif is a long desert highway. The hours add up and services are spread out, which is why our drivers fill up in Riyadh and carry water. In summer, an early start avoids driving through the hottest part of the day.
Near Taif the road reaches the mountains. The Al Hada road on the escarpment has many sharp bends, and our drivers take it steady. If anyone in your group gets car-sick on mountain roads, tell the driver before you set off; a gentler pace and an extra stop help.
Can you stop in Makkah on the way?
Only Muslims may enter Makkah. The Riyadh to Jeddah road uses the Makkah bypass, so the trip does not need to enter the city. Tell us when you book if anyone in the car is not Muslim, and the driver keeps to the bypass roads.
If you are Muslim and want to perform Umrah on the way, book Riyadh to Makkah instead: 880 km, about 8 h 30 min, from SAR 1,500 per car. That road passes the Miqat of Qarn al-Manazil at Al Sail, and the driver stops there for Ihram on request. Jeddah is then 95 km from Makkah, another day. Our post on Umrah from Riyadh by road covers that trip.
Should you split the drive with a night in Taif?
About 9 h of driving is a long day, especially with young children or elderly parents. Taif is the natural place to break it. It is the last city before the descent to the coast, and it is about 10 °C cooler than Makkah in summer.
Our Riyadh to Makkah route already offers an overnight option with a hotel stop in Taif, and we plan the Jeddah trip the same way on request. Tell us your hotel and the time you want to leave the next morning, and we quote the whole trip before you book.
Riyadh to Jeddah fares by vehicle
Fares are per car, not per person. They include fuel, tolls, the driver and the rest stops. Rides between 00:00 and 05:00 carry a 20% night surcharge, shown in your quote.
| Vehicle | Seats | Suitcases | Riyadh to Jeddah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Sedan | 1–3 | 2 | SAR 1,620 |
| Standard Sedan | 1–3 | 3 | SAR 1,900 |
| Comfort MPV | 4–6 | 5 | SAR 2,380 |
| SUV | 4–7 | 6 | SAR 3,330 |
| Family Van | 7–11 | 10 | SAR 3,040 |
| Pet-Friendly Taxi | 1–4 | 3 | SAR 2,660 |
| Cargo / Luggage Van | 1–3 + luggage | 20+ | SAR 3,330 |
Road or flight: which is better?
For one or two people with normal luggage, flying is quicker, even after the rides to and from the airports. King Khalid Airport (RUH) is 35 km from Riyadh, and Jeddah Airport is 20 km from central Jeddah.
The road is the better choice when you are moving house with a lot of luggage, travelling with pets, or a family who would otherwise buy five or six plane tickets, because the fare is per car. Airline fares and timetables change, so check with the airline. Our Riyadh to Jeddah flight vs road comparison sets out the trade-offs.
Checklist for the drive
- Book at least a day ahead. We send the driver's name and plate the day before.
- Leave early in the morning, so most of the drive is in daylight.
- Keep passports or Iqama in your hand luggage for road checkpoints.
- Pack water, snacks and any medicines in the cabin, not the boot.
- Tell us about pets, a wheelchair or extra luggage when you book, so we send the right vehicle.
- Plans changed? Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup.