The Best Bali Road Trips by Car: Routes, Stops & Drive Times

Having your own car turns Bali into a road-trip playground. These five routes show off the island's variety, from beaches and temples to volcanoes and waterfalls. Drive times are realistic estimates that account for Bali's traffic — always allow extra.

1. The Ubud rice terrace loop

Drive time: a full day from south Bali. Head to Tegalalang Rice Terraces early to beat the crowds, then explore central Ubud's temples, art markets and cafés. Add the Tegenungan or Kanto Lampo waterfalls on the way back. A great first road trip — scenic but not too far.

2. The east coast: Sidemen and Amed

Drive time: 2.5–3 hours each way. The east is Bali at its most peaceful. The Sidemen valley offers dramatic terraced hillsides with Mount Agung as a backdrop, while Amed is a laid-back diving and snorkelling village with black-sand bays. Best as an overnight trip rather than a single long day.

3. The northern volcanoes and lakes

Drive time: 2–2.5 hours to the Bedugul area. Climb into the cool highlands to the photogenic Ulun Danu Beratan temple on Lake Bratan, the twin lakes viewpoint, and the Git Git or Banyumala waterfalls. Bring a light layer — it is noticeably cooler up here. A car with decent ground clearance is handy on the mountain roads.

4. The Bukit Peninsula clifftop temples

Drive time: 1–1.5 hours from Seminyak. The southern Bukit Peninsula is home to Uluwatu Temple, perched on the cliffs, plus a string of dramatic beaches — Padang Padang, Bingin and Melasti. Time it to watch the sunset and the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu, then enjoy a clifftop dinner.

5. West to Tanah Lot and beyond

Drive time: about 1 hour to Tanah Lot. The iconic sea temple of Tanah Lot is stunning at sunset. Continue west and the coast grows wilder and quieter, with black-sand surf beaches and far fewer crowds — a good choice if you want to escape the busy south.

Tips for Bali road trips

• Start early. Mornings have lighter traffic and better light for photos.
• Download offline maps — signal is patchy in the mountains and east.
• Keep the fuel tank topped up before heading to remote areas.
• For the highlands and east, choose a car with good ground clearance.

We deliver your rental car — fully insured, with 24/7 support — anywhere in Bali, so you can start your road trip straight from your villa or the airport.