How far is it, and how long does it take?
Abu Dhabi city is roughly 140 km from Dubai along the E11, depending on the exact pickup and delivery points. Driving time varies with traffic, but for heavy vehicles the bigger variable is when they are allowed to use the roads at each end.
Measure your own route from the actual pickup point to the actual site, rather than city centre to city centre. A pickup in south Dubai and a site on the near side of Abu Dhabi make a very different journey from a north Dubai yard and a site deep in the city.
Planning step 1: leaving Dubai
From 1 October 2026, according to the RTA and Dubai Police:
- Trucks are banned from 6 AM to 10 PM on Sheikh Zayed Road and Beirut Street, and in Al Mizhar, Muhaisnah and Oud Al Muteena.
- Trucks are banned round the clock on Al Qudra Street, Al Meydan Street, all crossings and the Airport Tunnel.
- Peak-hour bans (6:30–8:30 AM, 1–3 PM, 5:30–8 PM) apply on Airport Street, Oman Street and Damascus Street.
- Emirates Road is exempt.
- Essential movements can apply for an RTA Mobility Permit for Heavy Vehicles in Banned Times and Roads.
For a southbound run, Sheikh Zayed Road's daytime ban is the key constraint. Plan the route out of Dubai on roads that are not restricted, or time departure outside the restricted hours.
Planning step 2: entering Abu Dhabi
The ITC has restricted truck movement on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road (E11) and Al Raha Beach Road (E10), directing trucks to alternatives such as Al Fayah–Seih Shuaib Road (E75) and Al Haffar Road. Peak-hour restrictions also apply on Al Rawdah Road (E30) in Mussafah. Check the ITC's latest notice for the current position on your route, including any permit arrangements.
Planning step 3: Abu Dhabi city hours
Since 27 January 2025, according to the ITC, heavy vehicles may not use Abu Dhabi city roads:
| Day | Morning | Afternoon / evening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 6:30 – 9:00 AM | 3:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 – 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
This leaves a main delivery window on weekdays between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Working back from that window – through the drive time and Dubai's departure constraints – gives you a dispatch time.
Planning step 4: the site window
The road rules tell you when a truck may move; the site tells you when it can be received. Confirm the site's delivery hours, gate procedures, how the load will be unloaded and where the truck can stand. If the road window and the site window do not overlap, adjust one of them before the truck leaves. See how to plan site deliveries.
A worked example
Imagine a weekday delivery of rebar from a Dubai yard to an Abu Dhabi city site that receives deliveries from 9:00 AM. The truck should not arrive in the city before the morning restriction ends at 9:00 AM, and should be unloaded before the afternoon restriction begins at 3:00 PM. It should leave Dubai on a route that avoids Sheikh Zayed Road during its 6 AM–10 PM ban, and enter Abu Dhabi on a permitted route. Allowing time for loading, the drive and a margin for traffic sets the dispatch time.
Load preparation for the run
A 140 km highway run demands a load secured for sustained speed and braking, and a vehicle within federal weight limits. Read securing rebar on a flatbed and UAE weight and axle-load rules.
Checklist
- Exact pickup and delivery points measured
- Dubai exit route avoids restricted roads and hours
- Abu Dhabi entry route uses permitted roads
- Arrival falls between ITC restricted hours
- Arrival matches the site's receiving window
- Load secured and within weight limits
Book a Dubai to Abu Dhabi delivery
Nafees Transport plans these runs end to end. See our Dubai to Abu Dhabi route page and Abu Dhabi coverage.
Need materials moved?
Nafees Transport is a Dubai-based transport company that moves construction and industrial materials, steel and rebar across all seven emirates. Send your requirement through the quote form or WhatsApp on +971 54 161 0526, Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM.
Sources
- Dubai Media Office – RTA and Dubai Police announce truck movement restrictions on roads across Dubai from 1 October (26 September 2026)
- Abu Dhabi Mobility (ITC) – Truck movement ban on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road and Al Raha Beach Road
- Abu Dhabi Mobility (ITC) – Update to restricted movement hours for heavy vehicles on Abu Dhabi roads (January 2025)
- Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure – Table of maximum weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles on federal roads (January 2024)
Road rules change. Always check the latest notice from the relevant authority before dispatch.