# Driving in Saudi Arabia – What to Expect on Highways and in Cities

- Link: https://warsawtravelers.pl/en/asia/saudi-arabia-what-to-expect-on-highways/
- Published: 2025-10-19T02:07:39+02:00
- Author: Filip Chochół

Ten wpis jest również dostępny w języku:  [⌊Switch to Polski⌉Polski](https://warsawtravelers.pl/azja/jazda-po-arabii-saudyjskiej-autostrady/)

 Table of contents

## Hello! 👋

Saudi Arabia from behind the wheel means endless straight highways, shimmering heat
above the asphalt, and a horizon that never seems to get closer. You drive fast,
you drive far — and that’s exactly the kind of long-distance travel this story is
about.

It was our second time in Saudi Arabia, but a completely different part of the country—
and a different ride. This time, [we entered on a motorcycle as part of our Desert Horizons expedition](https://warsawtravelers.pl/en/desert-horizons-2025/).
The season? Let’s just say it was a bit toasty for sightseeing, but that’s when 
our schedule lined up — so we hit the road anyway.

Below we’ve gathered everything that’s useful from the very first kilometers: what
traffic is like, what to expect on the main roads, how speed cameras work, what 
to know about maps, fuel, and safety. And if this topic clicks with you, [check out our other posts about Saudi Arabia too 😃](https://warsawtravelers.pl/en/tag/saudi-arabia/).

Are we going? 🚀

![Motorbike on Hafar al Batin Road with a rider waving in front of the HAFAR AL 
BATIN sign, Saudi Arabia](https://warsawtravelers.pl/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,height
=576,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/
2025/10/saudi-arabia-hafar-al-batin-road-motorcycle.jpeg)

## Overview of road conditions

The first thing worth saying is that Saudi Arabia is built for moving — by car, 
bus, or motorcycle. A dense network of highways and expressways connects cities 
and regions, and in recent years the country has seriously upgraded both the quality
and connectivity of its roads (they proudly tout top rankings and ongoing modernization
projects). In practice, the main arteries are smooth, wide, and fast — and on some
long-distance corridors, the speed limit now goes up to 140 km/h ([though not everywhere — it applies only to selected major routes](https://www.arabnews.com/node/1249296/%7B%7B)).

There’s also the flip side, which we felt firsthand: constant roadworks and upgrades.
When lanes narrow or detours kick in, the temporary surfaces can get bumpy and the
signage less clear. And if you miss an exit or a flyover turn, the next U-turn might
be several kilometers away. Cities — especially the outskirts of Riyadh — are extremely
car-oriented, with limited pedestrian infrastructure. In short, it’s not a “walkable
city” kind of place.

Weather and environmental conditions deserve their own chapter[: sandstorms can suddenly drop visibility to zero](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2596690/saudi-arabia),
and authorities regularly urge drivers to slow down or pull over when that happens.
Outside cities, camels on the road are a real hazard — there are entire zones marked
with warning signs — and the danger increases dramatically after dark.

### Driving style and traffic culture

In the cities, the pace is fast and often assertive: quick lane changes, tailgating,
and short following distances are all part of the rhythm. Studies from Riyadh have
for years pointed to speeding, impatience toward slower drivers, and distraction
as the most common risky behaviors — things have improved recently, but it’s still
far from ideal.

[At the same time, Saudi Arabia has significantly tightened traffic enforcement. ](https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3304)
The key player here is the SAHER camera network — fixed, average-speed, red-light,
seat-belt, and phone-use cameras — operating 24/7 and effectively curbing reckless
driving. And the data backs it up: according to WHO and partner reports, road fatalities
and serious injuries have been steadily declining over the past few years. approx.
35–40% decrease in mortality  on the roads between 2016 and 2021.

## Road categories

To make sense of Saudi Arabia’s vast road network, [it helps to understand two overlapping systems:](https://istitlaa.ncc.gov.sa/ar/transportation/mot/saudihighwaycode/Documents/SHC%20201%20final.pdf)
the functional classification (what role a road serves) and the numbering scheme(
how it’s labeled on maps and signs).

Functional classes (according to Saudi Highway Code / RGA):

 * **Highways / Freeways (urban & rural): **fully grade-separated, access-controlled
   roads where speed limits for cars can reach up to **140 km/h **on selected segments(
   lower for trucks and buses). They form the backbone connecting major cities and
   ring roads.
 * **Arterial Roads (principal / minor, including expressways):** high-capacity 
   routes designed for fast movement but with more exits, U-turns, and occasional
   intersections. Speed limits typically range from **120–100 km/h** outside cities
   and lower within urban areas.
 * **Collectors** – collect traffic from local streets and “feed” it onto arterial
   roads; moderate speeds.
 * **Local** – commuting to properties, commercial areas, and residential areas.

The network is complemented by ring roads around major metros — Riyadh has the Eastern,
Northern, Southern, and Western Rings — which handle most through traffic. Cities
are currently upgrading these corridors under large-scale projects like the **Riyadh
Main & Ring Road Axes Development Program**.

**Signage and language:** official guidelines call for bilingual road signs (Arabic/
English) with exit numbers, but in practice many locations — even in Riyadh, the
Saudi capital — still feature signage only in Arabic, which can make quick navigation
tricky for foreign drivers.

![Saudi Arabia, Al Ula Maraya on Motorcycle—rider’s view of an empty road through
desert cliffs](https://warsawtravelers.pl/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,height=576,fit
=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/
10/saudi-arabia-alula-maraya-motorcycle.jpeg)

## Fines

[Saudi Arabia doesn’t do half measures](https://www.yallamotor.com/news/new-speed-violations-and-fines-in-saudi-arabia-46950Saudi Arabia doesn’t do half measures — fines are steep and enforcement runs 24/7. Here are the key penalties that can realistically affect a visiting driver:)—
fines are steep and enforcement runs 24/7. Here are the key penalties that can realistically
affect a visiting driver:

Speed (example – sections with a speed limit of 120 km/h):

 * **+10–20 km/h:** 150–300 SAR; **+20–30:** 300–500 SAR; **+30–40:** 800–1 000 
   SAR; **+40–50:** 1 200–1 500 SAR; **above +50:** 1 500–2 000 SAR.
 * **Red light: **3,000–6,000 SAR (intersection camera = automatic ticket).
 * **Phone in hand:** 500–900 SAR.
 * **Seat belts: **150–300 SAR.
 * **Driving the wrong way:** SAR 3,000–6,000 + penalty points; additional measures
   possible for repeat offenders.

How to check if any fines are “hanging” on your vehicle or your name? For foreigners,
there’s an official e-service called “[Query Traffic Violations for Visitors](https://www.absher.sa/wps/portal/individuals/Home/myservices/einquiries/traffic/qtvfvisitor)”
on the Absher platform — you can verify your record using your passport number or
border number.

### Speed cameras and speed control

Saudi traffic enforcement relies on a dense SAHER camera network: intersections (
red lights), straight sections (speed), lane discipline, and mobile phone use. The
system combines fixed roadside units, grey boxes, and mobile setups — all operating
in front/rear mode, meaning they capture plates from both directions (yes, motorcycles
too). Everything is connected to the National Information Center and runs automatically.

## **Maps and navigation in Saudi Arabia**

Simply put — navigation works. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze guide you smoothly
throughout the country.

What really makes a difference is coverage outside the cities. Saudi Arabia is vast,
and between towns the signal can drop to 2G/EDGE or disappear completely — we had
that on the way to Al-Ula. With Zain KSA, we sometimes got only 2G; after switching
to Mobily eSIM, we had more consistent 4G/5G — though that 5G wasn’t always as fast
as it looked on paper.

For long, remote stretches, take a satellite device with SOS (e.g., **Garmin inReach**)—
SOS works globally with an active subscription.

## Security checks

From our experience, checkpoints in Saudi Arabia are quite rare. We mostly encountered
road patrols or temporary controls — often related to pilgrimage routes — rather
than fixed “gates” inside cities. On longer stretches, you’ll see the Roads Security
Special Forces, a Ministry of Interior unit responsible for highway patrols and 
checkpoints at city entrances.

**What do they usually check?** In practice, the most common request is for the **
vehicle registration card **(istimara), your driver’s license, and — if needed —
an ID document. For rental cars, the rental agreement plus the car’s papers are 
usually enough. In our case, officers often asked for the istimara first, and never
even wanted to see our passports. (_“Istimara” is the official vehicle registration
card managed through the Absher system._)

## Fuel – availability and quality

From a driver’s or rider’s perspective, things are simple: Saudi stations offer 
91 and 95 petrol, plus **diesel**. Outside major cities, you’ll more often find **
91**, while 95 is less common but still easily available along main corridors and
at larger stations. If your car or bike requires 95 — stick to the manufacturer’s
recommendation.

Prices (approximate, as of summer 2025, Aramco):

 * 91 — **2.18 SAR/l**,
 * 95 — **2.33 SAR/l**,
 * diesel — **1.66 SAR/l**.

[The KSA publishes prices every month](https://www.aramco.com/en/what-we-do/energy-products/retail-fuels),
and these values have been stable for a long time.

**Quality-wise**, [since February 2024](https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2055538) all 
fuels in Saudi Arabia comply with **Euro-5 standards **— including diesel with sulfur
content up to **10 ppm**. In practice, that means cleaner emissions and reliable
fuel with no surprises for modern engines.

**Availability on the road:** Stations are frequent along highways and junctions,
and large service centers like SASCO include restaurants, shops, ATMs, and even 
small repair facilities. On some newer sites, the truck area is physically separated—
diesel only — while cars have their own entrance with petrol pumps only, so it’s
easy to take the wrong turn if you’re entering quickly.

**Payment: **Digital payments are the norm in Saudi Arabia. The local mada network
is the default, but the [Ministry of Commerce has explicitly stated](https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/621315?)
that stations cannot require mada only or refuse Visa/Mastercard. In practice, terminals
in rural areas can be hit-or-miss, so it’s still smart to keep some cash just in
case.

**Service: **Most gas stations in Saudi Arabia are **full-service**, with attendants
handling the refueling for you. There are a few self-service pilot stations, but
they’re still rare — just pull up to the pump, and the staff will usually take care
of the rest.

## Tolls, vignettes, toll gates

Good news: Saudi Arabia has no tolls or vignettes for cars and motorcycles — the
entire highway network is toll-free. The only exception is the **King Fahd Causeway**
connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, where you’ll pay around **SAR 25 / BHD 2.5**
per car. In 2022, the Ministry of Transport officially denied rumors about introducing
tolls on existing roads.

### Border fees and temporary entry of vehicles (TIP/CPD)

 * **Land border crossings:** there’s **no standard road fee** for crossing the 
   border with a private car or motorcycle. Customs (ZATCA) may direct vehicles 
   through an **X-ray scanner**, but that’s part of the inspection process — not
   a paid toll or traveler’s fee.
 * **Carnet de Passages (CPD): ****not required for tourist entry**. Most overlanders
   enter Saudi Arabia on an e-visa, presenting only the vehicle registration and
   valid insurance at the border.
 * **Vehicle authorization (if you’re not the owner):** sometimes requested, though
   not always. The safest option is to carry a power of attorney in **Arabic with
   an apostille** — Saudi Arabia has been part of the Hague Apostille Convention
   since December 7, 2022. If you’re arriving overland from Iraq or Kuwait with 
   a leased or financed vehicle, this document is effectively mandatory.

### Vehicle insurance

**Mandatory third-party insurance **for foreign-plated vehicles can be purchased
online via the **Manafith** platform (app or web) or at the **border counter**. 
Online options include short-term coverage, for example one week for about **60 
SAR**. **2 weeks 90 SAR **), which is usually cheaper than a month for 130 SAR –
in the case of a motorcycle.

Buying vehicle insurance in Saudi Arabia sounds simple — at least on paper. For 
non-GCC vehicles, there are two theoretical options: buy a one-month policy at the
border counter, or use the official **Manafith** app to get short-term coverage (
like one or two weeks). On paper it all looks smooth — but in practice… well, let’s
just say it didn’t go that smoothly.

First, there was the registration battle on the iPhone — the app looked sleek, but
the confirmation email never arrived. Then came round two on Android — and that’s
where the real gem appeared: the system misread Poland’s country code. The field
was preset to “+0048,” which the server interpreted as “++48,” so the verification
SMS simply never came through.

In the end, we gave up on the digital route and just kept going without insurance.
No one stopped us, no one asked — not even at the border on our way out.

![Saudi Arabia, Border Insurance Manafith building with Najm sign and traffic lights
in a parking area](https://warsawtravelers.pl/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,height=576,
fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/
2025/10/saudi-arabia-border-insurance-najm-manafith.jpeg)

## Road safety

In Saudi Arabia, city driving can get pretty intense: big cars and trucks often 
claim the right of way, so in practice, “the bigger one wins”. On the left lane,
following distances are tight, lane changes can be sudden, and turn signals don’t
always mean what you think — so it’s best to drive predictably, keep extra space
up front, and avoid power struggles on the road.

Road safety stats are moving in the right direction thanks to cameras and tougher
penalties — but it’s still far from European standards, so driving cautiously really
does pay off.

Near the borders, things can look a bit different from the country’s central regions.
Close to Yemen (Jazan, Najran, Asir), you’ll encounter more frequent police checks
and temporary checkpoints, and areas marked “border zone” are taken literally — 
movement there is limited. In the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al-Khali), distances between
fuel stations are vast, cell coverage is unreliable, and entry to some protected
zones requires a permit. It’s the kind of terrain that calls for a well-prepared
route, extra fuel, and solid offline maps.