Top 5 road trips in Jordan
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Loading... - Jack Knight
- 30 May 2022
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Road tripping around Jordan affords you access to places unreachable by public transportation and gives you the freedom to choose your own adventure along the way, rather than being tied to the timeline of a set tour.
But driving in Jordan also often means interpreting unwritten rules of the road while navigating congested streets alongside drivers. For travelers determined to take a road trip, driving in Jordan is part of the adventure! And for those who would rather leave the driving to someone else, there are plenty of other ways to get around Jordan too, from bus rides to hiring a driver.
Here are five of the best road trips in Jordan, including one-day, two-day, and 10-day routes and a variety of activities to bring you closer to the land, people, and culture. Because most visitors to Jordan fly into Amman, we’ve included road trips from the capital and nearby Madaba.
Jordan’s Northern Route
Best road trip for history and culture
Amman–Amman; 250km (155 miles); allow two days
This two-day road trip starts atop Citadel Hill in the heart of Jordan’s capital. Amman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (excavations at the Citadel have unearthed artifacts from as far back as the Bronze Age), and you can still see evidence of the Umayyad, Roman and Byzantine periods – and sweeping city views – from here.
Leave Amman behind and head for the rolling hills of northern Jordan, stopping by Ajloun Castle for panoramic views of the countryside. Sit down to a home-cooked meal with a local family in Orjan before heading to Umm Qais. Spend the afternoon touring the Greco-Roman ruins of Gadara, and when you’re ready for a break, grab a seat on the outdoor patio of Umm Qais Resthouse, located on a hill within the archeological site. If you time it right, you can catch the shifting sunset colors over the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee.
On day two, try an immersive activity with Baraka Destinations, such as beekeeping, foraging, cycling, basket weaving or hiking in Yarmouk Forest Reserve or another nearby trail, and then refuel at Galsoum’s Kitchen, the home of a local chef in Umm Qais. The second part of the day is dedicated to Jerash, home to one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world and the halfway point on your drive back to Amman. Signage is limited in this site, so it’s best experienced with a guide who can provide cultural and historical context while leading you around the ruins.
Driving to the Dead Sea
Best one-day road trip from Amman
Amman–Dead Sea; 68km (42 miles); allow 3-5 hours
This road trip from Amman offers desert views along a stretch of the scenic King’s Highway and a nice reward at the end: a therapeutic Dead Sea experience. Detour to Madaba to check out Byzantine-era mosaics that show the oldest known map of Palestine on the floor in St George’s Church. Make a stop at Mt Nebo, where it’s believed Moses saw the Promised Land before he died, for a view of the Jordan River Valley, Dead Sea and beyond. On a clear day, you may spot Jericho and Jerusalem in the distance, and you can see remnants of preserved mosaics in the presbytery at the summit.
Continue on to the Dead Sea, where a handful of hotels await, offering a range of spa treatments as well as access (for overnight and day pass guests) to mineral-rich mud and salty water.
Madaba to Dana Drive
Best road trip for castles, canyons and culture
Madaba–Dana; 206km (128 miles); allow one day
Although the King’s Highway (Highway 35) has long been an important trading route, first constructed by the Romans more than 5000 years ago, it isn’t necessarily the quickest. But that’s also what makes it special. Drivers looking for a direct route to southern Jordan tend to take the Dead Sea Highway (Highway 65) or the Desert Highway (Highway 15), but those looking for a scenic drive choose King’s Highway.
The view of the Dead Sea from Mukawir Castle makes it worth the detour from the King’s Highway, and because you’ll be off the beaten path, you could have the site to yourself. Stop by the nearby Bani Hamida Weaving Project to purchase some handmade souvenirs (or book a workshop in advance and learn to make your own). Add a splash of adrenaline on a guided canyoning tour at Wadi Mujib and then make your way back toward the King’s Highway with a visit to Karak, where you can explore one of the Levant’s largest crusader castles. Plan to reach the village of Dana before sunset. Sipping shai (tea) while looking out over the Dana Biosphere Reserve is the perfect way to end the day. Read More…
