The King's Highway is an ancient artery that starts in Amman and passes through the heart of Jordan. It is possibly one of the most scenic drives anywhere in the world.
For over 330 kilometres it winds its way through gently rolling agricultural land, past sleepy rural villages, skirts the edge of the Eastern Desert, twists its way up steep rugged mountains, plunges 600 meters into Jordan's Grand Canyon, Wadi Mujib, and ends at Aqaba on the shores of the Red Sea.
The scenery is stunning, but the road is also lined with antiquities, the mosaics of Madaba, the Rose City of Petra, and the imposing castle of Karak are merely the most famous.
On route are rural communities where tourists rarely if ever stop. Take the time to pull over at a local shop to buy baklava or for a coffee at a roadside stall and you will be sure of a hospitable if inquisitive reception.
The King's Highway, like all of Jordan's roads is well maintained. Away from the cities, traffic is relatively light. Road signs are the only difficulty; where present they are clear and useful, but don't rely on them appearing every time you need them.
Read more about places on the King's Highway - Mujib, Aqaba, Petra and Karak
See other things to see & do in Jordan
