A digital guide for planning overland routes via the Salmi or Nuwaiseeb border, fuel and rest stops 2026
Kuwait → 🕋 Makkah
A complete digital guide for overland trips from Kuwait via the Salmi or Nuwaiseeb border to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, with an option to visit Madinah first.
🧭 My trip now
Before you go
🛣️ Overland route options
Salmi border, then Qassim and the Qassim–Makkah road (shortest)
Itinerary: Kuwait → Salmi / Ruqai border → Hafar Al Batin → Al Artawiyah → Qassim → Qassim–Makkah road → Afif → Dhalm → Taif → Makkah.
The shortest route. Part of the Qassim–Makkah road is new or under construction, and stations between Qassim and Afif are few, so fill up in Qassim.
To Madinah first, then Makkah (via Qassim and the Hijrah road)
Itinerary: Kuwait → Salmi / Ruqai border → Hafar Al Batin → Al Artawiyah → Qassim → 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. About 100 km longer than the shortest route, all on expressways.
Salmi border, then Al Majmaah and the Riyadh–Makkah road
Itinerary: Kuwait → Salmi / Ruqai border → Hafar Al Batin → Al Artawiyah → Al Majmaah → north Riyadh → Al Quwayiyah → Taif → Makkah.
Divided expressways with plenty of stations on the Riyadh–Makkah road, but it passes through Riyadh.
Nuwaiseeb border, then the Dammam–Riyadh road (Highway 40)
Itinerary: Kuwait → Nuwaiseeb / Khafji border → Safaniya → Abu Hadriyah → Dammam–Riyadh road (Highway 40) → Riyadh → Al Quwayiyah → Taif → Makkah.
Along the coastal road, then Highway 40 and Riyadh; from Highway 40 it shares the Qatar and Bahrain route.
⏱️ 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 Hafar Al Batin–Al Artawiyah road, the Qassim–Afif road, the Qassim–Madinah road, and from Al Quwayiyah to Taif.
📱 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 (Kuwait → Salmi border → Hafar Al Batin → Al Artawiyah)
1. KNPC – Salmi Road
The last Kuwaiti station before the Salmi border. Fill up with Kuwaiti fuel before the border.
2. Aldrees – Hafar Al Batin
In Hafar Al Batin, the first large city after the Ruqai border.
3. Aldrees – Al Artawiyah
On the Hafar Al Batin–Al Artawiyah road, before it branches to Qassim or Al Majmaah.
⛽ Qassim and Qassim–Makkah road stations (to Afif)
4. SASCO – Qassim
One of the most-reviewed stations in Qassim, between Buraydah and Unaizah.
5. Al Salam Station – Qassim–Makkah Road
On the Qassim–Makkah expressway south of Qassim.
6. Al Jawhara Station
On the Dariyah–Afif road. Stations are few on this stretch, so keep the tank well filled.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. SASCO Station (As-Sayl Al-Kabir)
Near Taif and the miqat: the place to prepare and bathe for ihram (Qarn al-Manazil).
⛽ Outbound stations (Kuwait → Salmi border → Hafar Al Batin → Al Artawiyah)
1. KNPC – Salmi Road
The last Kuwaiti station before the Salmi border. Fill up with Kuwaiti fuel before the border.
2. Aldrees – Hafar Al Batin
In Hafar Al Batin, the first large city after the Ruqai border.
3. Aldrees – Al Artawiyah
On the Hafar Al Batin–Al Artawiyah road, before it branches to Qassim or Al Majmaah.
⛽ Qassim and Qassim–Madinah road stations
4. SASCO – Qassim
One of the most-reviewed stations in Qassim, between Buraydah and Unaizah.
5. Al Betra Station – Qassim–Madinah Road
A large station on the Qassim–Madinah road.
6. Golden Service Station
One of the main large stations on the Qassim–Madinah road.
7. SASCO – Madinah entrance
At the entrance to Madinah, 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.
8. SASCO – Hijrah Road
One of the largest and most-reviewed stations on the Hijrah road (Madinah–Makkah), with full services.
9. Aldrees – Hijrah Road
The last large station on the Hijrah road, about 87 km before Makkah.
⛽ Outbound stations (Kuwait → Salmi border → Hafar Al Batin → Al Artawiyah)
1. KNPC – Salmi Road
The last Kuwaiti station before the Salmi border. Fill up with Kuwaiti fuel before the border.
2. Aldrees – Hafar Al Batin
In Hafar Al Batin, the first large city after the Ruqai border.
3. Aldrees – Al Artawiyah
On the Hafar Al Batin–Al Artawiyah road, before it branches to Qassim or Al Majmaah.
⛽ Al Majmaah and Qassim–Riyadh road stations
4. Aldrees – Al Majmaah
One of the most-reviewed stations on the Riyadh–Qassim road, at Al Majmaah.
5. SASCO Al Jazeera
On the Qassim–Riyadh road before Riyadh's northern entrance, with all services.
⛽ Outbound stations (Riyadh → 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.
6. Aldrees Station – Tuwaiq
A good place to top up the tank before actually leaving Riyadh.
7. Petromin Station – Qiddiya
A large station just outside Riyadh, with the popular Al Baik restaurant.
8. SASCO Station – Tebrak
A reliable model station after leaving the Riyadh area.
9. SASCO Station – Al Quwayiyah
A key stop to rest and stretch.
10. SASCO Station – Al Khasirah
A large station on the Riyadh–Makkah road with all services and restaurants.
11. SASCO Station – Al Humiyat
A large station on the Riyadh–Makkah road with all services and restaurants.
12. 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.
13. SASCO Station (As-Sayl Al-Kabir)
Near Taif and the miqat: the place to prepare and bathe for ihram (Qarn al-Manazil).
⛽ Outbound stations (Kuwait → Nuwaiseeb border → Highway 40)
1. Nuwaiseeb Station
The last Kuwaiti station before the Nuwaiseeb / Khafji border. Fill up with Kuwaiti fuel before the border.
2. Al Zumam Station – Safaniya
On the coastal road (Khafji–Jubail) at Safaniya.
3. Al Khonaini Petroleum Services
On the Abu Hadriyah road before heading south to the Dammam–Riyadh road.
4. Aldrees – Dammam–Riyadh road
One of the most-reviewed stations after joining the Dammam–Riyadh expressway (Highway 40).
5. GO Station
A modern full-service station on the Dammam–Riyadh expressway (Highway 40 / 80M), about 80 km before Riyadh.
6. Aldrees (Riyadh entrance)
A great station to refuel and check everything before entering Riyadh.
⛽ Riyadh city stations – Highway 40 (main, 80M)
7. SASCO Station (Riyadh)
Has a "Nakhla" supermarket and clean, full services for a quick rest.
8. Aldrees Station (Riyadh)
A well-stocked convenience store and basic car services (tyres and air).
⛽ Riyadh city stations – bypass (King Salman Road)
Use this route to avoid city-centre traffic at peak hours.
7. SASCO (before the airport)
A large model station near King Khalid Airport with all services.
8. SASCO (after the airport)
A full-service station along the bypass route.
⛽ Outbound stations (Riyadh → 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.
9. Aldrees Station – Tuwaiq
A good place to top up the tank before actually leaving Riyadh.
10. Petromin Station – Qiddiya
A large station just outside Riyadh, with the popular Al Baik restaurant.
11. SASCO Station – Tebrak
A reliable model station after leaving the Riyadh area.
12. SASCO Station – Al Quwayiyah
A key stop to rest and stretch.
13. SASCO Station – Al Khasirah
A large station on the Riyadh–Makkah road with all services and restaurants.
14. SASCO Station – Al Humiyat
A large station on the Riyadh–Makkah road with all services and restaurants.
15. 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.
16. 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 → Qassim → Hafar Al Batin → Kuwait)
The outbound stations in reverse order. On divided roads, check that the station is on your side of the road.
1. SASCO – Madinah entrance
At the entrance to Madinah, about 15 km from the Prophet's Mosque.
2. Golden Service Station
One of the main large stations on the Qassim–Madinah road.
3. Al Betra Station – Qassim–Madinah Road
A large station on the Qassim–Madinah road.
4. SASCO – Qassim
One of the most-reviewed stations in Qassim, between Buraydah and Unaizah.
5. Aldrees – Al Artawiyah
On the Hafar Al Batin–Al Artawiyah road, before it branches to Qassim or Al Majmaah.
6. Aldrees – Hafar Al Batin
In Hafar Al Batin, the first large city after the Ruqai border.
7. KNPC – Salmi Road
The last Kuwaiti station before the Salmi border. Fill up with Kuwaiti fuel before the border.
⛽ Return stations (Madinah → Riyadh)
Recommended model stations on the Hijrah – Qassim – Riyadh expressway:
1. Golden Service Station
One of the main large stations on the Madinah–Qassim road.
2. Aldrees Station – Al Bukayriyah
One of the main large stations in the Qassim region.
3. Loader Gas Station – Sudair
A modern station with full services and an Al Baik restaurant.
4. SASCO Al Jazeera Station
Riyadh's northern entrance, with all services and an Al Baik restaurant.
⛽ Return stations (Riyadh → Nuwaiseeb border → Kuwait)
The outbound stations in reverse order. On divided roads, check that the station is on your side of the road.
1. ADNOC Station
One of the main large stations when leaving Riyadh eastbound.
2. Aldrees – Dammam–Riyadh road
One of the most-reviewed stations after joining the Dammam–Riyadh expressway (Highway 40).
3. Al Khonaini Petroleum Services
On the Abu Hadriyah road before heading south to the Dammam–Riyadh road.
4. Al Zumam Station – Safaniya
On the coastal road (Khafji–Jubail) at Safaniya.
5. Nuwaiseeb Station
The last Kuwaiti station before the Nuwaiseeb / Khafji border. Fill up with Kuwaiti fuel before the border.
💡 Suggestions and questions
We would love to hear your feedback or any change you suggest to improve this guide