The Desert Highway is Jordan's fast, direct route south — roughly 3 hours from Amman to Petra. The King's Highway is the older, scenic route along the same general path, passing Karak and Shobak castles, at the cost of significantly more driving time.
Desert Highway: Speed
A modern, direct highway with minimal stops — the right choice when time is genuinely limited, or when you've already seen Karak and Shobak on a previous trip. Our Classic Highlights itinerary uses this route to keep its 5-day schedule efficient.
King's Highway: Scenery and History
An older route following the historic King's Highway trade path, passing Karak Castle (the Crusader stronghold of Raynald of Châtillon) and the more remote Shobak Castle — Crusader Jordan's first fortress. Our Hidden Civilizations itinerary uses this route specifically to give both castles proper time rather than a rushed 20-minute photo stop.
How to Decide
If Petra and Wadi Rum are your main priorities and time is tight, take the Desert Highway. If you have an extra half-day and want the two castles included as real stops rather than skipped entirely, the King's Highway is worth the extra time.
What We Do
Different itineraries in our portfolio use different routes deliberately, matched to that itinerary's pacing and priorities — this isn't a decision you need to make yourself unless you're customizing a route with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much longer is the King's Highway?
Meaningfully longer — driving time roughly doubles compared to the Desert Highway, depending on how many stops you make along the way.
Can I do the King's Highway on the way down and Desert Highway on the way back?
Yes — this is a common and sensible combination if your itinerary allows it. Ask us about building this into a custom route.