Saudi Arabia's Roads General Authority has identified 3 main road routes allowing travelers to reach the Red Sea tourist destination from Riyadh, differing in distance, journey time and the cities and governorates they pass through.
The authority said Saudi Arabia's road network extends for more than 73,000 km, while the Tabuk region has a road network of more than 5,304 km, supporting visitors' access to tourist destinations and coastlines in the region, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.
The fastest route via Madinah
The first route is 1,255 km long and takes around 12 hours and 25 minutes, making it the fastest of the three. It runs from Riyadh via Al Majmaah, Buraidah, Al Hanakiyah and Madinah to the Red Sea destination.
A route via Umluj
The second route is 1,355 km long, with a journey time of around 14 hours and 20 minutes. It runs from Riyadh via Al Quwaiiyah, Afif, Mahd Al Thahab, Madinah and Umluj before reaching the Red Sea destination.
The longest route via AlUla
The third route is 1,385 km long and takes around 14 hours and 40 minutes, making it the longest in both distance and time. It runs from Riyadh via Al Majmaah, Buraidah, Hail, AlUla and Al Manjur village to the Red Sea destination.
The authority noted that Saudi Arabia's road network has helped the Kingdom top the global road connectivity index, according to World Competitiveness Forum reports, strengthening links between cities and governorates and supporting sectors including tourism.
The efforts to support access to tourist destinations come in partnership between the Roads General Authority and the Saudi Tourism Authority, coinciding with the Saudi Summer 2026 program.
To view the post on the Saudi Press Agency website, click here.
