A quiet road in a mountainous area of Oman with street lamps and some buildings on the side.

Roads in Oman

Roads in Oman

Written by: Michaela Eckmüller Last updated at: May 21, 2025

The infrastructure in Oman is modern and has now been well developed. When the oil business was started in 1967, it was hardly present. However, a good infrastructure was necessary to bring the progress that Sultan Qaboos envisioned for Oman and which he has continuously advanced since coming to power in 1970. In this respect, most roads in the country were only built in the 1970s or later.

Expansion of the road network

The road network in Oman is about 60,000 kilometers long. Almost every small town in the country is now connected to the network of paved roads. In recent years, 2000 kilometers of highway have been built to simplify transportation within the country. The well-developed roads, which lead through deserts and remote wadis to connect urban centers and small towns, are viewed differently. While supporters praise the progress and simplification of travel that the expansion of the roads brings, opponents criticize the ecological damage that is caused.

Means of transportation

The days when people in Oman rode camels through the desert to get from one place to another are long gone. Most Omanis own a car. Newer models, mostly from Japan, are driven. Jeeps are also frequently encountered on the roads. After all, there are still areas where one must switch to off-road driving. Off-road tourism, which was once one of the main branches of tourism in Oman, is being restricted by the ongoing expansion of the road network, as guided bus tours can now easily reach remote places.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

Sunset over a fortified city in Oman with a prominent minaret and mountain backdrop.

Oman's Fortresses

6 min read

Oman's impressive fortresses tell tales of times long past, standing as symbols of the country's strategic importance over the centuries. These massive structures served as strongholds against invasions and as protection for trade routes, playing a central role in defending the Sultanate. However, they are not only witnesses to military strength but also expressions of Oman’s rich cultural and architectural traditions. Today, many of these historic fortresses have been restored and are open to visitors, offering a captivating glimpse into the country’s history and allowing travelers to step ba...

Sunset over a calm body of water in the Musandam region with mountains in the background and dramatic clouds in the sky.

Travel Weather Musandam

1 min read

The climate of the northernmost region of Oman is characterized as subtropical. While the winters (December to February) are very mild with daytime temperatures around 25°C, summer months can see temperatures rise up to 43°C. The maritime weather usually keeps nighttime temperatures from dropping below 17°C. On average, there is only precipitation on 38 days a year. In Musandam there is constant wind due to its exposed location. The best travel time for Musandam starts in early October and ends in April....

Close-up of a brown and white speckled cow with one eye closed, focusing on the face and ear.

Bulls of Batina in Oman

2 min read

The Batina plain in the Sultanate of Oman is a 250 km long coastal section in the north of Oman. The region borders the Emirate of Fujairah to the north and the Governorate of Muscat to the south. The Batina plain is the agricultural center of Oman, as citrus fruits, dates, mangoes, bananas, and tomatoes grow here. Additionally, it is the second most populous region of the country with about 1.2 million inhabitants. Together with the adjacent capital region of Muscat, approximately 3.7 million people live here. The regional capital is Sohar, known for its beautiful mosque and deep-sea port. A...