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Da Lat is roughly 300 km from Ho Chi Minh City, and as of October 2026 there is still no continuous expressway. A private car normally takes the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway and then National Highway 20 (QL20) through Bao Loc, which works out at about 6.5 to 8 hours including breaks. This guide covers the route, the mountain passes, where to stop, which vehicle to book and what a quote should include.
| Leg | Road | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| HCMC to Dau Giay | HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway | Being widened, so expect lane shifts; rest area at Km41+100 |
| Dau Giay to Bao Loc | QL20 via Dinh Quan, Tan Phu and Madagui | Two-way highway through many towns, ending with the Bao Loc Pass (about 10 km) |
| Bao Loc to Lien Khuong | QL20 via Di Linh and Duc Trong | Gentler plateau driving; Bao Loc is about 111 km from Da Lat |
| Lien Khuong to central Da Lat | Lien Khuong – Prenn road (19.2 km), then the Prenn or Mimosa pass | Both passes had landslides or cracking in the 2025–2026 rainy seasons |
If you also need a driver once you arrive, for sightseeing days or a Lien Khuong airport run, see our Da Lat car rental service.
Not yet. The planned Dau Giay – Lien Khuong corridor is split into three projects, all still under construction in October 2026:
A separate Nha Trang – Da Lat expressway (about 80.8 km) was still completing its investment procedures in mid-2026 and has not broken ground. For the rest of 2026 and most of 2027, the drive from Ho Chi Minh City still relies on QL20.
This is the route most drivers use. The first stretch out of the city is under widening works, so speeds drop in places; our HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway guide explains what to expect. QL20 itself is a busy two-way highway with plenty of trucks and town centres, so average speeds are much lower than on the expressway.
Where the Lien Khuong – Prenn road ends, cars can climb into town on either the Prenn Pass or the Mimosa Pass (Khe Sanh road). Your driver will pick the pass based on that day's conditions.
Only worth it if you are combining Mui Ne with Da Lat. The QL28B upgrade was essentially finished in September 2026, but during the September–October 2026 rains the Dai Ninh Pass developed several cracked and subsiding sections, and police were still directing traffic at Km46 on 11 October 2026 (Dan Tri, Tuoi Tre). Ask your driver about current conditions first.
The passes stay open most of the time, but heavy rain can mean waiting for debris to be cleared. Check conditions the day before and plan to be on the passes in daylight.
Our dispatchers usually suggest leaving between 5 and 6 am. You beat the city rush, lunch in Bao Loc and reach Da Lat in daylight. Avoid late-evening drives, because fog on the passes cuts visibility.
Travellers prone to car sickness should sit in the front or middle row, eat lightly and tell the driver when they need a stop. Child seats are not standard in every vehicle, so request one when booking and wait for confirmation.
| Vehicle | Suits | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 4-seater | 1–4 guests, light luggage | Couples and small families |
| 7-seater | 4–6 guests | With every seat taken the boot shrinks, so share your suitcase count |
| 16-seater van | Larger groups | Room for luggage when several families travel together |
| Limousine van | Groups wanting wide reclining seats | Several seat layouts; check luggage space |
A family of five or six with moderate luggage usually fits a 7-seater. If everyone has a large suitcase, size up.
Car Rental Vietnam quotes already include the driver's wage and road tolls. Other factors that change the price:
Ask for everything beyond wage and tolls in writing. Our price list and the guide to what a private car price includes make comparisons easier.
For area-by-area ideas, food and seasons, read our Da Lat travel guide.
Car Rental Vietnam tip: staying three nights or more and only need the car for the drive up and back? Ask for two separate one-way quotes alongside a keep-the-car-daily quote, then compare them side by side.
Flower season runs roughly from January to April. Rain usually falls from May to November, bringing afternoon showers and fog on the passes, and recent landslides have clustered between August and November. The end of the year turns drier and cooler, but Tet and public holidays book up early.
No. As of October 2026 the Dau Giay – Tan Phu, Tan Phu – Bao Loc and Bao Loc – Lien Khuong expressways are all under construction, with openings expected between 2027 and Q4 2028.
Usually about 6.5 to 8 hours including breaks, depending on departure time, QL20 traffic and conditions on the passes.
With all seats occupied the boot space is limited. Tell us your suitcase count and we will advise whether a 16-seater or limousine van makes more sense.
If you stay several days without needing a car in town, two one-way trips are often simpler. If you want a driver every day, keeping the car is more convenient.
They are open most of the time, but there were landslides in the 2025–2026 rainy seasons. Travel in daylight and check road conditions before you set off.
Send your date, group size and suitcase count to +84 967 914 574, on WhatsApp or Zalo for a written quote. Local options are on our Da Lat car rental page.
Main sources: Bao Xay Dung and VnExpress (Dau Giay – Tan Phu expressway), the Ministry of Construction, VnExpress and Thanh Nien (Tan Phu – Bao Loc), Dan Tri and VOV (Bao Loc – Lien Khuong), Thanh Nien, VTV, Tuoi Tre and VietnamPlus (Prenn, Mimosa and Bao Loc pass landslides), VOV Giao Thong and Dan Tri (QL28B and the Dai Ninh Pass).
Real cars at the Car Rental Vietnam depot
Travel guides for this trip
Private cars with driver from 4 to 45 seats, including Limousine vans and 29- and 45-seater coaches. Tolls, trip insurance and the driver's pay are included:
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