Driving Mongolia's Ring Road: All you need to know about the Best Mongolia Tour
Mongolia Travel Ringroad
DRIVING MONGOLIA'S RING ROAD: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Synonymous with road trip vibes, the Ring Road, Mongolia is a must-do drive for those looking for spectacular scenery. The Ring Road is in fact the nickname of the new highway connecting the capital city Ulaanbaatar with the Western Gobi provinces, Bayan-Ulgii in the Altai mountains and the northern provinces along the lakes like Uvs as well as the ancient capital city Kharakorum.
This route loops the Central and Western Mongolia in a full circle, skirting around Mongolia's different sceneries and mostly uninhabited steppes. Along the way around the Ring Road, you’ll find the most popular tourist attractions. This includes the ancient capital Kharkhorin, the sand dunes of Elsen Taserkhai, the wild horses at Khustain Nuruu National Park, beautiful lake Khyrgas and Lake Uvs and the Altai mountains with their Eagle Hunters.
If you're planning an Mongolia road trip, it’s likely you’ll end up on this route, whether you’re doing the full circle or a shorter trip.
Below you’ll find some practical information to know before you hit the road. This is accompanied by our Mongolia Ring Road map, so you can follow along.
To take on an Mongolia Ring Road tour, look up these self-drive packages, for either summer or winter road trips
About the Ring Road
We’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the Ring Road. Read on to learn more about the length of the road, how long it can take to drive and winter road trips.
1. HOW LONG IS THE RING ROAD IN MONGOLIA?
The Ring Road is 3,376 kilometres long (2,097 miles). That’s the equivalent of driving part of the United States’ east coast, from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois. Or driving a round trip from San Francisco, California, United States to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A similar European distance would be from Madrid, Spain to Stockholm, Sweden.
Basically, the Ring Road covers most of the country, as shown in blue on the map above. It bypasses part of historic Central Mongolia, the lakes and volcanoes of Northern Mongolia, the Altai mountains and the Gobi desert. Tour extensions into these regions can always be added to a summer itinerary for a deeper exploration of Mongolia.
2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE THE RING ROAD IN MONGOLIA?
While you could drive the whole Ring Road in 96 hours - we really don't recommend it.
For the best experience, we recommend no less than 7 days in Mongolia. This is for a comfortable, but express route around the Central Mongolian and Gobi parts of the Ring Road. From there, you can extend it to discover some regions in more details, to take detours, and explore remote corners.
Plus, the speed limit for most of the way is 100 kilometres per hour (62 miles per hour), and speeding fines or police stops aren't fun on a vacation. So it’s best you slow down and enjoy all the scenery along the way.
Imagine the sand dunes, lava fields, waterfalls, steep mountains, rocky beaches, snow covered mountain tops in the Gobi and all the other beautiful surprises you’ll get to explore. The more time the better!
- To tour Mongolia between May and September, look up these summer packages
3. IS THE RING ROAD IN MONGOLIA WORTH IT?
Definitely! Driving the Ring Road of Mongolia is a great road trip idea.
As it circles the country, you will be able to reach the different parts of Mongolia (except the flat plains of eastern Mongolia). Not only that, but many of the stunning highlights are located just off the Ring Road, giving you easy access to the best the country has to offer.
Some of the best places to visit in Mongolia along the Ring Road:
Mini Gobi sand dunes
Kharakhorum - the ancient capital
Khorgo Volcano
Khyargas Lake and the northern lakes
Altai mountains and Altai National Park
Gobi desert
Ulaanbaatar the modern capital
4. Where to stay along the Ringroad when traveling through Mongolia
Stay in a yurt with a nomadic family
Stay in the city hotels in the province centers
Stay in Yurt Ger Camps along the route
5. Animals and wildlife to expect along Mongolia's Ringroad
Gobi Antilope
Wild and nomadic horses and camels
6. CAN YOU DRIVE THE RING ROAD IN MONGOLIA IN THE WINTER?
Yes, you can drive the Ring Road during wintertime.
Most visitors choose to drive on Mongolia's Ring Road in summer. At this time of year, the long days give you plenty of extra daylight for driving and sightseeing. But winter road trips are also possible, and growing in popularity. Read our guide to the best times to visit Mongolia here.
Although the conditions will be less ideal than in summer, there is plenty to be enjoyed during the winter months. The natural highlights will all be there, and as stunning as ever with frost and snow. The eternal blue sky never disappoints during the winter months.
There are also plenty of activities available on a winter trip to Mongolia. Why not drive over a frozen lake? Go ice fishing, dog sledging, snowmobiling or even relaxing in a geothermal pool as you watch the snow fall around you.
However, if you’re keen to drive the Ring Road in winter, it’s best to come prepared. Make yourself aware of road safety precautions before you travel. For example, you must drive slowly in cold weather to avoid unseen ice, and turn your headlights on, day and night.
It’s also best that you check the weather and road conditions before setting off each day. We also recommend renting a 4x4 vehicle for a road trip between October and April as it will make driving in such conditions easier.
Good to know: By booking a winter self-drive tour with AVIS in Mongolia, you not only get an itinerary tailored for you, but also a peace of mind during your trip. With a personalised map, in-car Wi-Fi and a 24/7 helpline, our team is always on hand if you have an emergency.
In case of an unexpected event or severe weather, we’ll get in touch and modify your itinerary while keeping you safe and informed.
- Looking for winter road trip ideas? Check out these Mongolia self-drive tours available between October and April
- Want to join a guided road trip across the winter wonderland with fun activities? Pick the guided winter road trip experience from AVIS.
7. WHICH WAY DO YOU DRIVE THE RING ROAD IN MONGOLIA?
You can drive the Ring Road whichever way you want. It’s a circle, so you’ll end up in all the same spots anyway.
We recommend driving counterclockwise. This way you can start with the popular highlights of the green lush steppes and blue lakes, a perfect introduction to Mongolia, before continuing south into the Gobi desert.
Top practical tips for driving the Ring Road in Mongolia
Before visiting Mongolia for your epic road trip, here are some practical tips. They’ll help you get an idea of what to expect from the Ring Road and driving in Mongolia.
DRIVE ON THE RIGHT
The first thing to be aware of is that in Mongolia, motorists drive on the right side of the road (and left side of the car).
If you’re not comfortable driving on that side, you could always book a private driver or join a guided tour. This way you can enjoy the sights from the comfort of the passenger seat.
TAKE YOUR TIME
The road conditions may well be unlike what you’ve encountered before. For that reason, it’s best to take your time around the country.
This is especially true in winter, when the weather may affect driving and road conditions. Make sure you have plenty of time to get from one accommodation to the next safely.
This way you also get to appreciate the view even more!
BE AWARE OF ROAD HAZARDS
While it's perfectly fine to navigate in most spots, there are some unique challenges and road hazards to be aware of. Though most of the highway is paved, there is still a short stretch in Western Mongolia with a gravel surface.
STOP FOR FUEL AND BATHROOM WHEN YOU CAN
In certain parts of rural Monolia, it's common to go long stretches without seeing a town or village. This is especially true between Ulgii and Bayankhongor. So keep an eye on your fuel levels!
And when you do come across a gas station, it's wise to refuel and use the toilet if there are any doubts. Don’t risk running out of gas.
It's also an opportune time to stock on tasty Mongolian or Western snacks as there are little shops usually nearby to gas stations in the small towns. We recommend Khuushuur and Mongolian chocolate or candies.
Pro tip: Use bigger and more frequented gas stations as they tend to sell higher quality and less spoilt petrol or diesel.
DO NOT GO OFF-ROAD DRIVING
Driving off marked roads can damage fragile vegetation as well as the car and be very dangerous for you as a motorist. Therefore, off-road driving is not recommended.
To experience more wild driving, book a guided offroad adventure or a special 4x4 rental car like a Toyota Landcruiser 76. This way you could go with a professional guide to cross unbridged rivers and across wild terrain in a safe manner.
Mongolia Ring Road itinerary – 14 days (can be shortened or extended)
To have a memorable trip around the Ring Road we recommend taking 14 days to enjoy yourself along the way. This will allow you to not only drive the Ring Road but head off the beaten path in Western Mongolia.
You can always create a more in-depth itinerary by staying longer in certain locations and adding fun activities to your visit. In summer, you could also add the Khuvsgul Lake, more of the Altai mountains and more parts of the Gobi desert to your tour, true spectacular, remote corners of Mongolia.
For inspiration, check out this 14-day itinerary from our Mongolia Ring Road package.
How to plan a trip around Mongolia’s Ring Road
The first step in planning a trip around Mongolia is to choose what you want to see. This will help you pick when you want to go. With these two biggest details sorted, you can get to the finer ones.
Book a car rental and sort out accommodations. To be safe, make sure to book accommodation at various spots that are driveable within your timeframe.
You know what would make it easier? Booking through a local agency like AVIS. We offer a selection of self-drive packages that are customisable to your preferences and tastes.
And when you book through us, your package includes the car rental with collision damage waiver and a hand-marked map of your route. You also get two named drivers on the insurance policy so you can share the driving with a travel companion.
What’s more, our Mongolia experts are based in Ulaanbaatar and know the country inside out. They’ll help you see Mongolia in the best possible way!
Now you’ve learnt all you need to know about the Ring Road of Mongolia, you’re ready for your road trip! The travel experts at AVIS are happy to tailor a holiday to your specific interests. Just get in touch with your wishes!