5-Day Bali Road Trip by Car: Round-Island Route, Ubud to Lovina
By the SiapPergi Editorial Team · Published 12 October 2026 · 8 min read
Driving around Bali gives you the freedom to see parts of the island few people visit: the Batur caldera, the Sidemen valley, the Amed coast, Lovina's black-sand beaches and the Jatiluwih rice terraces. The five-day route below loops the island clockwise and can be shortened to three days. Distances and drive times are estimates under normal conditions.
5-day route summary
| Day | Route | Approx. distance & time | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airport → Celuk/Mas → Ubud (Monkey Forest, Campuhan) | approx. 40 km, approx. 1.5 hours | Ubud |
| 2 | Ubud → Tegallalang → Kintamani → Sidemen | approx. 90 km, approx. 3 hours | Sidemen |
| 3 | Sidemen → Tirta Gangga → Lempuyang → Amed | approx. 50 km, approx. 2 hours | Amed |
| 4 | Amed → Tulamben → Sekumpul (optional) → Lovina | approx. 110 km, approx. 3–3.5 hours | Lovina |
| 5 | Lovina → Munduk → Bedugul → Jatiluwih → Tanah Lot → South Bali | approx. 130 km, approx. 4–5 hours | Canggu/Seminyak |
Drive times don't include stops at sights. Avoid driving mountain roads at night, and allow time for South Bali traffic on the last day.
Day-by-day notes
Days 1–2: Ubud and Kintamani
Ubud is the ideal first base. On day two, leave early for Tegallalang and then climb to Kintamani for views of Mount Batur, before descending to the Sidemen valley. The route details are similar to the Ubud–Kintamani route and Sidemen route.
Day 3: East Bali
Visit the Tirta Gangga water garden and Lempuyang Temple in the morning, then relax and snorkel in Amed. See the East Bali & Lempuyang route.
Day 4: the north coast
From Amed, follow the north coast past Tulamben to Lovina. If you have time, stop at Sekumpul waterfall; see the Sekumpul & Gitgit route.
Day 5: lakes, rice fields and a sea temple
Climb to Munduk and the Bedugul lakes, continue to the Jatiluwih rice terraces, then finish with sunset at Tanah Lot before heading back south. See the Bedugul–Munduk route and Tanah Lot–Jatiluwih route.
3-day version
- Day 1: Airport → Ubud → Tegallalang (overnight in Ubud).
- Day 2: Ubud → Kintamani → Lovina (overnight in Lovina).
- Day 3: Lovina → Bedugul → Jatiluwih → Tanah Lot → South Bali.
A one-way rental (pick up at the airport, return in Canggu) can sometimes be arranged for an extra fee. Ask when booking at car rental Ngurah Rai Airport.
Conclusion
A 5-day road trip around Bali shows the island's variety, from mountains and lakes to black-sand beaches. Get a comfortable car, budget for fuel, parking & toll costs, and choose a vehicle on Bali car rental. Prefer a scooter? Compare with the 7-day Bali scooter itinerary.
Ready to rent a scooter?
See estimated prices by area & model, then book on WhatsApp — the final price is confirmed before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to drive around Bali?
Five days is enough to loop the island at a relaxed pace. Three days works, but you'll have less time at each place.
How far is it to drive around Bali?
A loop like the one in this article is about 450–500 km, depending on where you stop.
Is it better to drive yourself or hire a driver for a Bali road trip?
For mountain routes and long distances, a driver makes the trip more relaxing. Driving yourself suits you if you're used to driving on the left and on winding roads.
Where should I stay on a Bali road trip?
Practical bases: Ubud, Sidemen or Amed, Lovina, then back to South Bali.
This article follows the SiapPergi editorial policy: facts are checked, prices are given as ranges, and mistakes are corrected. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.