20 Best Road Trip Destinations in Malaysia for Every Kind of Traveller

Malaysia is made for driving holidays. Good highways, cheap fuel and short distances mean you can wake up in the city and have lunch in the mountains or by the sea. Here are the best road trip destinations in Malaysia, grouped by region, with rough driving times from Kuala Lumpur.

Highlands and cool escapes

• 1. Cameron Highlands (about 3.5 hours): tea plantations, strawberry farms and mossy forests.
• 2. Genting Highlands (about 1 hour): theme park, outlets and cool air.
• 3. Fraser's Hill (about 2 hours): colonial bungalows and birdwatching.
• 4. Bukit Tinggi (about 1 hour): the French-style Colmar Tropicale and Japanese garden.

Heritage towns and cities

• 5. Melaka (about 2 hours): UNESCO old town and Jonker Walk.
• 6. Ipoh (about 2.5 hours): limestone cave temples and white coffee.
• 7. George Town, Penang (about 4 hours): street art and hawker food.
• 8. Kuala Kangsar (about 3 hours): royal town with Ubudiah Mosque.
• 9. Taiping (about 3 hours): Lake Gardens and Maxwell Hill.

Beaches and coastlines

• 10. Port Dickson (about 1.5 hours): the closest beaches to KL.
• 11. Kuantan and Cherating (about 3.5 hours): surf, seafood and turtles.
• 12. Teluk Cempedak: a lovely boardwalk beach in Kuantan.
• 13. Pantai Kerachut, Penang National Park: a hike to a quiet beach.
• 14. Kuala Selangor (about 1.5 hours): fireflies and seafood dinners.
• 15. Sekinchan (about 2 hours): paddy fields and seaside wishing tree.

Nature and adventure

• 16. Taman Negara, Kuala Tahan (about 4 hours): one of the world's oldest rainforests.
• 17. Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu: a vast man-made lake with waterfalls and islands.
• 18. Gopeng (about 2.5 hours): white-water rafting and Gua Tempurung caves.

Far east and far south

• 19. Kota Bharu, Kelantan: markets, crafts and Malay culture on the east coast.
• 20. Desaru and Johor Bahru (about 4 hours): beaches, theme parks and food.

The best Malaysian road trips are loops: west coast up to Penang, across the East-West Highway and back down the east coast.

Tips for a smooth Malaysia road trip

• Load your Touch 'n Go card or e-wallet for tolls.
• Avoid leaving KL on Friday evenings before public holidays.
• Take breaks at R&R stops every two hours.
• For groups of six or more, an MPV like the Toyota Vellfire AGH30 EL or Hyundai Staria Lite keeps everyone and the luggage together.

Start your road trip with Kuala Lumpur Rent-A-Car

Choose from 26 cars, from the Perodua Axia AV to the Toyota Vellfire, with package discounts from 7 days and unlimited mileage on 3 to 30 day rentals. Book on any car page and we will confirm on WhatsApp.

Keep reading: 12 Best Family Holiday Destinations in Malaysia for the School Holidays and Traffic Jam Driving Tips Malaysia: 14 Ways to Stay Calm on KL Roads. Ready to drive? Browse our rental fleet in Kuala Lumpur or check our delivery coverage areas.