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

A minaret with a dome in a city surrounded by mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Modern Times

1 min read

In 1970, Sultan Qaboos ibn Said deposed his father and became the new ruler of the Sultanate of Oman. After his death in January 2020, his cousin Haitham ibn Tariq succeeded him. With oil revenues as the basis, the Sultan managed to nearly revolutionize the country in just a few decades through infrastructure, education and health. To this day, citizens honor their head of state for his remarkable efforts....

A clean, modern medical clinic room with advanced dental equipment and a comfortable dental chair.

Medical Care

6 min read

For many travelers, access to quality healthcare is a crucial factor when choosing a destination – and Oman offers a pleasant surprise. In recent years, the Sultanate has developed an impressive healthcare system comparable to Western standards in many aspects. From modern emergency clinics in cities and well-stocked pharmacies to international professionals, Oman provides visitors with comprehensive, high-quality medical care. Even in remote areas, there are options for initial medical support, ensuring travelers receive timely assistance in case of emergencies. In this article, you’ll find ...

A person holding a Nikon camera points it towards a Shell gas station on a clear day.

Oil & Pipelines in Oman

3 min read

When the first cargo ship loaded with oil set sail from Oman in 1967 and headed out into the world, a new era began for the country on the Persian Gulf. Once a trading superpower that traded with China and maintained its own trading posts in Africa, Oman had become a simple and impoverished desert state where people lived off agriculture and livestock farming in the few arable areas. There were hardly any other sources of income, leaving the population poor and largely uneducated. The vast land was barely governable, leading to regular tribal conflicts and sometimes civil war-like conditions. ...