Long Weekend 2026 Road Trip Ideas from Singapore

Singapore has two long weekends left in 2026, from Saturday 7 November to Monday 9 November and from Friday 25 December to Sunday 27 December. Each one gives you three days off without using any annual leave, so now is a good time to decide where to go.

Three days is enough for a road trip from Singapore to Malaysia, and the right destination depends mostly on how long you want to spend driving. Below are three options with different drive times, a guide to matching them with your group and the border tips that matter most on a long weekend.

1. Johor Bahru for a Short Drive and a Slow Weekend

Johor Bahru is the simplest long weekend trip from Singapore, with a drive of about one hour when the border is clear. It suits a short stay, a food-focused break or a family outing that does not need a long road.

Food and Shopping Close to the Border

Crossing at Woodlands brings you out at the Sultan Iskandar Building in the city centre, a short distance from City Square Mall, KSL City and the Johor Bahru waterfront. Weekend shopping and seafood are what this route is best known for, and our list of Indonesian food worth trying in Johor Bahru is a good starting point for meals.

Day Trip or Overnight Stay

Because the drive is short, you can treat Johor Bahru as either a day trip or a one-night stay. A day trip works if you leave early and plan to return before the evening queue builds. An overnight stay gives you time for a slow dinner and a relaxed morning, and it spreads your two crossings across different days.

Moving Around Once You Arrive

The city has several areas worth visiting, and they are not all within walking distance of each other. Our guide on getting around Johor Bahru after the border covers the options, and having your own car keeps the day flexible if you decide to add a stop.

2. Desaru for a Beach and Resort Break

Desaru is roughly 100 kilometres from Singapore and takes about two to two and a half hours by car when the checkpoint is not backed up. After crossing at Woodlands or Tuas, you follow the Senai-Desaru Expressway east.

Beaches, Waterpark and Golf

Desaru Coast has a long stretch of beach, the Adventure Waterpark with more than 20 rides, and The Els Club for golfers. It works for families with children as well as couples who want a slower pace. Check the weather forecast before you go, because the east coast of Johor can see more rain from November, and keep an indoor backup plan.

Choosing the Right Checkpoint

Tuas followed by the Second Link and the expressway keeps you out of Johor Bahru city traffic, which is the main reason we suggest it for a group heading to the coast. Check your Touch 'n Go balance before you leave Singapore so that the road charge does not become a problem on the way.

3. Melaka for Heritage and Food

Melaka is about 230 kilometres from Singapore and takes roughly three to four hours by car, so it suits travellers who are happy to spend part of each day on the road. The route runs through Tuas Checkpoint and onto the North-South Expressway.

Heritage and Nyonya Food

Melaka is a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its colonial history, street food and Nyonya dishes. Spend the first afternoon around the old town and Jonker Street, and keep the second morning for a slow breakfast before the drive home.

Pacing the Drive

With three to four hours on the road each way, plan at least one stop at a rest area along the North-South Expressway. It matters most when children or older passengers are travelling with you, and it keeps the driver fresh for the second half.

Returning the Car in Malaysia

If you plan to continue north after the weekend or head home by another route, one-way cross-border rental lets you pick up in Singapore and return the car at selected locations in Malaysia. Our return points include a Mini Hub in Melaka and Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal. Availability depends on the route, so check when you book.

4. Matching the Destination to Your Group

The best long weekend trip is the one that fits the people in the car. The same three destinations work differently depending on who is travelling.

Families with Young Children

Johor Bahru and Desaru keep the drive short, which helps when children get restless. Our tips on things to do on a long car ride with family are useful for the Desaru drive in particular.

Couples and Friends

Melaka suits a pair or a small group that enjoys walking and eating, while Desaru suits those who want a resort pace with little planning.

Larger Groups with Luggage

Beach trips mean bags, floats and sometimes golf clubs. Our fleet of sedans, SUVs and MPVs includes the Nissan Serena e-POWER hybrid in seven-seat and eight-seat versions, which gives larger groups room to travel together. Every vehicle is less than five years old and regularly serviced.

5. Crossing the Border on a Long Weekend

Checkpoint choice and departure time decide most of your waiting on a public holiday weekend. A few habits keep the first hour of the trip calm.

Woodlands or Tuas

Woodlands leads straight into Johor Bahru city, while Tuas connects through the Second Link to Gelang Patah, about 30 to 40 minutes from the city centre. Our guide to Woodlands and Tuas notes queues of two to four hours or more for cars at Woodlands on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings and the eve of Malaysian public holidays, while Tuas is noticeably calmer.

Timing and Live Queue Checks

Leaving Singapore before 9am on Saturday helps you beat the Woodlands queue. OneMotoring and the MyTransportSG app both show live queue times, so check them before you set off. Heading back on the afternoon of the last public holiday may still mean a long queue, so decide on your return window before you leave.

Documents, VEP and Touch 'n Go

Bring a passport valid for at least six months and your driving licence. Drivers with a non-ASEAN licence should also carry an International Driving Permit.

Every Singapore-registered car we rent out is VEP-ready, so there is no permit to apply for. Your Touch 'n Go eWallet still needs enough balance for the RM20 road charge, which is deducted when the tag is scanned at the Malaysian checkpoint. Missing paperwork is also one of the mistakes to avoid on a road trip that we see most often.

Starting Close to Your Checkpoint

Jurong Point in the west and Causeway Point in the north are both listed as pickup points, so you can collect the car near the checkpoint you plan to use. The RTS Link between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar is now expected in February 2027, so both remaining long weekends still depend on the Causeway or the Second Link.

Pick Your Trip and Book Your Car Early

Choose Johor Bahru for a shorter drive, Desaru for a beach getaway or Melaka if you do not mind driving three to four hours each way. Whichever destination you choose, plan to cross the border early and consider using Tuas if the queue at Woodlands gets too long.

If you are driving from Singapore, WAHDAH offers VEP-ready car rentals with no cross-border fees and roadside assistance across Singapore and Malaysia. Book your car early to secure your preferred dates and make your trip easier to plan.