8 Cities Near Riyadh + Drive Times
The 8 closest cities to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ranked by distance — with drive time, flight time and day-trip vs weekend-getaway picks, including Diriyah, Al Kharj, Buraydah.
The closest notable city to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is Diriyah, about 10 mi (16 km) away — roughly 33 min by road. Below, 8 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DiriyahThe restored Saudi birthplace | 10 mi / 16 km | 33 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Al KharjFarms and natural springs | 53 mi / 86 km | 1 hr 36 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| BuraydahThe date capital | 205 mi / 330 km | 4 hr 29 min | 53 min | Short break |
| Ad Dawādimī | 147 mi / 236 km | 3 hr 25 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Az Zulfī | 163 mi / 262 km | 3 hr 47 min | 48 min | Weekend getaway |
| Al Mithnab | 176 mi / 283 km | 4 hr 5 min | 49 min | Weekend getaway |
| Al Hufūf | 185 mi / 298 km | 4 hr 19 min | 50 min | Weekend getaway |
| Ar Rass | 217 mi / 350 km | 4 hr 45 min | 54 min | Short break |
Day trips from Riyadh
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Diriyah, Al Kharj. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Riyadh
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Ad Dawādimī, Az Zulfī, Al Mithnab. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Riyadh include Diriyah, Al Kharj, Buraydah, Ad Dawādimī, Az Zulfī. The closest is Diriyah, about 10 miles (16 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.