A digital guide for planning overland routes via the Jdeidat Arar border, fuel and rest stops 2026
Iraq → 🕋 Makkah
A complete digital guide for overland trips from Iraq via the Hajj land road and the Jdeidat Arar border to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, with an option to visit Madinah first.
🧭 My trip now
Before you go
🛣️ Overland route options
To Madinah first, then Makkah (via Hail and the Hijrah road)
Itinerary: Baghdad → Karbala → Hajj land road → Jdeidat Arar border → Arar → Al Jouf → Hail → Madinah (visit the Prophet's Mosque, ihram at Dhul Hulayfah) → Hijrah road → Makkah.
This route goes to Madinah first, then on to Makkah on the Hijrah road. It is the shorter of the two routes.
Via Hail, Qassim and the Qassim–Makkah road (without Madinah)
Itinerary: Baghdad → Karbala → Hajj land road → Jdeidat Arar border → Arar → Al Jouf → Hail → Qassim → Qassim–Makkah road → Afif → Dhalm → Taif → Makkah.
For those who do not want to pass through Madinah. About 270 km longer; part of the Qassim–Makkah road is new or under construction, and stations between Qassim and Afif are few.
⏱️ Arrival time and fuel cost calculator
✅ Smart pre-trip checklist
Important apps and links
On the road
⚠️ Road tips and safety
😴 Fatigue and drowsiness: Never push on when you feel sleepy. Stop at the nearest service station right away and take a 20-minute nap.
☕ Rest stops: Stop every 250–300 km (every 2 to 3 hours) to stretch and refresh. Avoid driving for more than 3 hours straight, and share the driving if you can.
📸 Saher speed cameras: The speed limit is 140 km/h on most expressways for small cars. Wear your seat belt and avoid using your phone while driving.
🐪 Stray camels: Watch out for stray camels, especially at night and in the early morning, on the Hajj land road, the Arar–Jouf–Hail road, the Hail–Madinah road and the Qassim–Afif road.
📱 SIM cards: Operators include STC, Mobily and Zain. Activate a roaming package or get a data SIM or an eSIM to make maps and delivery apps easier to use.
🤲 Travel supplications
Travel supplication: "الله أكبر، الله أكبر، الله أكبر، سبحان الذي سخر لنا هذا وما كنا له مقرنين وإنا إلى ربنا لمنقلبون. اللهم إنا نسألك في سفرنا هذا البر والتقوى ومن العمل ما ترضى، اللهم هوّن علينا سفرنا هذا، واطوِ عنا بعده، اللهم أنت الصاحب في السفر، والخليفة في الأهل، اللهم إني أعوذ بك من وعثاء السفر، وكآبة المنظر، وسوء المنقلب في المال والأهل" وإذا رجع قالهنّ وزاد فيهنّ: آيبون، تائبون، عابدون، لربنا حامدون. "Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us, for we could never have done it ourselves, and to our Lord we shall surely return. O Allah, we ask You on this journey of ours for righteousness and piety, and for deeds that please You. O Allah, make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us. O Allah, You are the Companion on the journey and the Guardian of the family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travel, from distressing sights, and from an evil return in wealth and family." On the way back one says the same and adds: "We return, repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord."
When stopping at a place or rest area: "أعوذ بكلمات الله التامات من شر ما خلق" "I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created."
While driving: Say takbir (Allahu Akbar) when going uphill and tasbih (Subhan Allah) when going downhill.
⛽ Outbound stations (Baghdad → Jdeidat Arar border → Hail)
1. Karbala Gas Station
Before the Hajj land road. Fill the tank: there are no known stations after it for about 300 km, until the Arar border.
2. Arar Gas Station (Iraqi side)
The last Iraqi station before the Jdeidat Arar border.
3. Al Zumam Station – Arar
After the city of Arar, on the road to Al Jouf and Hail.
4. Break Gas Station – Jouf–Hail road
On the Hail–Jouf expressway, one of the best-rated stations on this road.
5. Petro Nufood – Hail
At Hail, one of the most-reviewed stations in the area, before the road branches to Madinah or Qassim.
⛽ Hail–Madinah road stations
6. Al Darah Station and Rest Stop
On the Hail–Madinah expressway.
7. Al Ladreesi Station – Madinah road
On the Hail–Madinah expressway.
8. Airport Petrol Station – Madinah
At the entrance to Madinah near the airport, about 15 km from the Prophet's Mosque.
⛽ Hijrah road stations (Madinah → Makkah)
After visiting Madinah: the miqat for those coming from Madinah is Dhul Hulayfah (Abyar Ali) in Madinah itself, so enter ihram there before setting off to Makkah.
9. SASCO – Hijrah Road
One of the largest and most-reviewed stations on the Hijrah road (Madinah–Makkah), with full services.
10. Aldrees – Hijrah Road
The last large station on the Hijrah road, about 87 km before Makkah.
⛽ Outbound stations (Baghdad → Jdeidat Arar border → Hail)
1. Karbala Gas Station
Before the Hajj land road. Fill the tank: there are no known stations after it for about 300 km, until the Arar border.
2. Arar Gas Station (Iraqi side)
The last Iraqi station before the Jdeidat Arar border.
3. Al Zumam Station – Arar
After the city of Arar, on the road to Al Jouf and Hail.
4. Break Gas Station – Jouf–Hail road
On the Hail–Jouf expressway, one of the best-rated stations on this road.
5. Petro Nufood – Hail
At Hail, one of the most-reviewed stations in the area, before the road branches to Madinah or Qassim.
⛽ Hail–Qassim road stations
6. VAI Station – Hail–Qassim road
On the Hail–Qassim road, one of its most-reviewed stations.
⛽ Qassim and Qassim–Makkah road stations (to Afif)
7. SASCO – Qassim
One of the most-reviewed stations in Qassim, between Buraydah and Unaizah.
8. Al Salam Station – Qassim–Makkah Road
On the Qassim–Makkah expressway south of Qassim.
9. Al Jawhara Station
On the Dariyah–Afif road. Stations are few on this stretch, so keep the tank well filled.
10. Hejaz Gas Station – Afif
In Afif, the last town before joining the Riyadh–Makkah road at Dhalm.
⛽ Outbound stations (Dhalm → Taif → Makkah)
🕋 The miqat on this road is As-Sayl Al-Kabir (Qarn al-Manazil), the last station in this list. If you intend Umrah, enter ihram there before passing it.
11. SASCO Station – Dhalm
A large station before heading to the Taif area and the miqat of Qarn al-Manazil.
🍔 Al Baik Restaurant (before As-Sayl)
Located right before the As-Sayl Al-Kabir miqat.
12. SASCO Station (As-Sayl Al-Kabir)
Near Taif and the miqat: the place to prepare and bathe for ihram (Qarn al-Manazil).
📞 Emergency numbers (tap a number to call)
In Saudi Arabia (road security)
In Makkah and Madinah
🏨 Staying and getting around in Makkah and Madinah
🏨 Hotels and parking: Book hotels in advance and make sure parking is available, or use the official car parks at the entrances to Makkah (such as Kudai or Az-Zahir) and take the Makkah shuttle buses to the Haram.
🚕 Getting around: Use apps such as Uber and Careem to get around Makkah and Madinah at clear, regulated prices.
🚄 Haramain High-Speed Railway: An excellent, comfortable way to travel between Makkah and Madinah (about 2 hours 20 minutes). Book tickets early through the Haramain railway app or website.
💧 Zamzam water: Officially bottled Zamzam water can be bought from 📍 the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Zamzam Water Project in Makkah (Kudai district).
🕌 Historical and religious places to visit
🕋 Makkah:
🕌 Madinah:
- International Fair and Museum of the Prophet's Biography
-
Quba Mosque
💡 Next to it is Quba Avenue, with a variety of kiosks and cafés🌴 "Bustan Al-Ajwa" date shop (excellent and close to Quba Mosque)
- Uhud Martyrs' Cemetery and Archers' Hill
- Uhud Viewpoint
- Masjid al-Qiblatayn
The way back
⛽ Return stations (Madinah → Hail → Arar border → Baghdad)
The outbound stations in reverse order. On divided roads, check that the station is on your side of the road.
1. Airport Petrol Station – Madinah
At the entrance to Madinah near the airport, about 15 km from the Prophet's Mosque.
2. Al Ladreesi Station – Madinah road
On the Hail–Madinah expressway.
3. Al Darah Station and Rest Stop
On the Hail–Madinah expressway.
4. Petro Nufood – Hail
At Hail, one of the most-reviewed stations in the area, before the road branches to Madinah or Qassim.
5. Break Gas Station – Jouf–Hail road
On the Hail–Jouf expressway, one of the best-rated stations on this road.
6. Al Zumam Station – Arar
After the city of Arar, on the road to Al Jouf and Hail.
7. Arar Gas Station (Iraqi side)
The last Iraqi station before the Jdeidat Arar border.
8. Karbala Gas Station
Before the Hajj land road. Fill the tank: there are no known stations after it for about 300 km, until the Arar border.
💡 Suggestions and questions
We would love to hear your feedback or any change you suggest to improve this guide