A digital guide for planning overland routes, fuel and rest stops 2026
Qatar → 🕋 Makkah
A complete digital guide for overland trips via the Salwa border crossing to Al-Masjid Al-Haram.
🧭 My trip now
Before you go
🛣️ Overland route options
Highway 40 (Route 80M – main route)
Itinerary: Doha → Salwa border → Hofuf → Riyadh → Al Quwayiyah → Dhalm → Taif → Makkah.
The safest road, lit for most of its length, with the newest model stations (SASCO and Aldrees).
Riyadh bypass route
Itinerary: Doha → Salwa → Khurais Road → King Salman Road (the new northern ring road) to join the Hejaz road.
Recommended to avoid central Riyadh traffic at peak hours (7 am – 5 pm).
⏱️ 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, from Salwa to Khurais 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 (Doha → Riyadh)
1. Abu Samra Fuel Station
The last place to fill up with Qatari fuel before the border.
2. SASCO Station / Khurais Road
On Khurais Road (after Hofuf, towards Riyadh).
3. GO Station
After Khurais Road joins the Dammam–Riyadh expressway (Highway 40 / 80M).
4. Aldrees (Riyadh entrance)
A great station to refuel and check everything before entering Riyadh.
⛽ Riyadh city stations – Highway 40 (main, 80M)
5. SASCO Station (Riyadh)
Has a "Nakhla" supermarket and clean, full services for a quick rest.
6. 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.
5. SASCO (before the airport)
A large model station near King Khalid Airport with all services.
6. 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.
7. Aldrees Station – Tuwaiq
A good place to top up the tank before actually leaving Riyadh.
8. Petromin Station – Qiddiya
A large station just outside Riyadh, with the popular Al Baik restaurant.
9. SASCO Station – Tebrak
A reliable model station after leaving the Riyadh area.
10. SASCO Station – Al Quwayiyah
A key stop to rest and stretch.
11. SASCO Station – Al Khasirah
A large station on the Riyadh–Makkah road with all services and restaurants.
12. SASCO Station – Al Humiyat
A large station on the Riyadh–Makkah road with all services and restaurants.
13. 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.
14. 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 → 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 → Doha)
Recommended stations on the way back from Riyadh to the Salwa border and Doha:
1. ADNOC Station
One of the main large stations when leaving Riyadh eastbound.
2. SASCO Station
One of the main large stations on the Riyadh–Dammam expressway (Highway 40).
3. Aldrees Station
Fuel, a rest area and a convenience store on the expressway.
4. Privilege Fuel
A full-service station on the Hofuf–Salwa road before the border.
5. Fuel Station (Abu Samra – Qatar)
The first fuel and services station after entering Qatar.
💡 Suggestions and questions
We would love to hear your feedback or any change you suggest to improve this guide