malaysian roadtrips

Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru Roadtrips

Stopping at Melaka, Muar and Batu Pahat on a roadtrip between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru

The Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru road trip in Malaysia is a great way to explore some amazing historical cities along the west coast of mainland Malaysia. I planned this trip in late August 2023 and decided to stop at some off-the-beaten-path locations along the way. Renting a car from KLIA airport is the best option if you are planning to catch a flight back home after the holidays. A self-driving trip is the most enjoyable and flexible way to explore some amazing destinations in Malaysia.

The main highway that connects Johor with Kuala Lumpur bypasses numerous bustling cities along the way. To truly immerse yourself in the charm of the small towns and cities, opt for the scenic two-way intercity roads. As I meandered through the countryside, the leisurely pace of traffic allowed me to plan multiple stops and indulge in the delectable local cuisine offered at the cozy roadside cafes and restaurants.

If you venture into rural Malaysia, you’ll be greeted by a tranquil ambience, where the architecture showcases a delightful blend of Kampung-style houses, exquisitely crafted mosques, and serene temples. Each town and village boasts a unique demographic, shaped by the early settlers who once graced these lands.

Road trip from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru with stopovers in Muar and Batu Pahat

Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson & Melaka

I decided to explore the coastal route from Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson and Melaka, and then stop over at Muar and Batu Pahat before reaching Johor Bahru. Port Dickson is a popular seaside town south of Kuala Lumpur, well-known for beach resorts. The two roads connecting Port Dickson with Melaka pass through palm plantations and small rural towns along the way. The small village still has old architecture with houses built on stilts.

I stopped at some mosques along the way to offer my prayers and enjoyed the laid-back and relaxed lifestyle of these cities. The driving speed on these roads is relatively slower as there is plenty of local traffic and slow-moving trucks and trollies.

Useful information for travellers to Malaysia

A beautiful coastal resort in Port Dickson

After departing from Kuala Lumpur, I embarked on a scenic journey along Freeway 5 that led me to the enchanting destinations of Port Dickson and Melaka. Although this route may be longer than the direct 1.5-hour drive between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, it allowed me to truly immerse myself in the beauty of the coastal area of Port Dickson. Along the way, I couldn’t resist the allure of Lexus Hibiscus, an exquisite luxury resort that mirrors the grandeur of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Melaka is a popular destiantion for families seeking resort-styled holiday with outdoor activities for children and adults alike. Port Dickson beaches are the closest swimmable beaches near Kuala Lumpur city.

Pork Dickson has several resorts with private beaches. Family holiday activities including watersports, snorkelling, banana boats and water scooters. Helipcoter tours and diving activities also available for adventours travellers.

Stopover in Historical city of Melaka

The next stop along the way is the beautiful historical city of Melaka. Melaka is one of my favourite destinations in Malaysia because of its rich cultural and historical heritage and relaxed feel. The city can be busy over the weekends and during holiday deason. In recent times, Melaka has experienced remarkable growth, becoming a magnet for a diverse community of retired expatriates from all corners of the globe. The region’s rich history, shaped by over four centuries of colonial rule, has left an indelible mark on its culture, heritage, and way of life. The historic quarter of the town proudly stands on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage list, boasting a collection of impeccably preserved structures harking back to the Dutch and Portuguese influences of the past few hundred years.

Entering Melaka from the AH2 exit to Melaka

I booked a Bayou Lagoon Park Resort located on the outskirts of Melaka City in the area of Ayer Keroh. The resort features an outdoor water park, making it particularly popular with tour groups and families travelling together. I enjoyed a day out in the water before heading into Jonker Walk to explore the night market and visit some nearby local restaurants.

Melaka is popular for Peranakan-style food, also known as Nyonya food. Nancy’s Kitchen, a popular Nyonya restaurant, was on my list for the night. The Nynoya food is also very popular in Penang. I have also enjoyed Peranakan food at many restaurants in Kuala Lumpur.

Melaka River can be explored with the Melaka River Cruise

Weekend nights in Jonker Walk are not to be missed as hundreds of stalls stretch along the long walk, selling local food, souvenirs, and gifts. The street is also popular for art and craft shops as well as antique stores. A walk along the river by sunset is delightful as the cool ocean breeze keeps plenty of visitors out in the street through the late hours of the night.

Melaka to Muar – 48 km from Highway 19

The next stop was an early start to the city of Muar, located about a 45-minute drive from Melaka. Muar was the find of the year with a beautiful, relaxed layout along the Muar River. Two beautiful mosques, built on either side of the river, are worth exploring. These mosques are painted in a light blue colour, which adds to the beauty of the design, borrowing motifs from both Indian and British architecture.

A popular landmark in Muar, Johor

I decided to stay at a Boutique Hotel built inside an industrial shed. The rooms are shaped like small huts in a typical Malaysian Village with proper street names. The “Wood Boutique Hotel” is highly recommended for budget holiday travel. The stay was very comfortable and I highly recommend this location for a quick short stay in Muar.

I highly recommend Wood Boutique Hotel in Muar – Great Value for Money

The hotel manager recommended visiting the Bantayan Food Court, which offers a wide range of local dishes, including noodle dishes, satay, soups, otak-otak, and many other popular dishes. I enjoyed tasting few local delights, including a flat rice noodle dish served in a sauce with prawn. (Shrimp Chueng Fun).

I explored the city’s waterfront at night. The “Heritage Street” along the main road is lined with beautiful murals capturing the cultural life of the region. A walk along the Muar Waterfront at Tanjung Emas is a must as the gorgeous open space is well-lit at night and attracts large crowds. The pleasant river breeze is delightful. This location is a popular spot for picnics in the area.

The beautiful Masjid Jamek Ibrahim is located along the waterfront. The architecture of this amazing mosque is awe-inspiring. I offered my Zuhr prayers at the mosque and enjoyed its serene environment.

Muar to Batu Pahat 54 km Route 5

The next day I checked out early to drive to Batu Pahat. The day was clear and sunny, and I enjoyed the beautiful drive on the country road connecting Batu Pahat and Melaka. The road is lined with massive trees on both sides, providing shade along the way. I must say it was a unique driving experience. A statue of dinosaurs welcomes you in Batu Pahat. This is a theme park that is not operational, however, the dinosaur statues are there to welcome visitors.

Old Street Batu Pahat is a popular place to visit

My first stop in Batu Pahat was the “Old Town Batu Pahat”, a beautifully preserved building with several restaurants, cafes, and rooftop bars. I guess the location is busier in the evening. I enjoyed a brief stopover for lunch at a local cafe offering a good mix of sandwiches and local delights. There is much to explore in Batu Pahat, including the coast. Daytime temperatures can be quite high, and the weather can become humid throughout the year.

Muar to Johor Bahru – 122 km Highway AH2

I decided to make it to Johor Bahru before sunset so I could enjoy my dinner on time. The V-Hotel in Johor is ideally located on the waterfront, near the historic part of town, with a food street, night markets, shopping malls, and some of the most popular cafes and restaurants. What else do you need!!!

Driving from Muar to Batu Pahat

I decided to spend the evening at a popular Irish pub in McGregor, near the hotel. The live band pub grub is a perfect mix for an enjoyable night out. The food was amazing, and I loved the choice of classic rock songs played by the local band.

Hotels in Johor: family (22 August 2025 - 31 August 2025)

Hotel	Stars	Rating	Price per night	Select dates
Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel	★★★★★	8.6	600	Search Family Hotels
Zoom Inn Boutique Hotel - Danga Bay	★★	8.4	68	Search Family Hotels
Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre	★★★★	8.2	346	Search Family Hotels
Amerin Hotel Johor Bahru	★★★★	7.9	270	Search Family Hotels
TROVE Johor Bahru		7.9	308	Search Family Hotels
KSL Hotel & Resort	★★★★★	7.9	211	Search Family Hotels
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru, an IHG Hotel		7.9	553	Search Family Hotels
Grand Paragon Hotel Johor Bahru		7.9	330	Search Family Hotels
Straits View Hotel JB	★	7.9	139	Search Family Hotels
Tune Hotel - Danga Bay Johor	★★★	7.8	127	Search Family Hotels
Hotel Granada Johor Bahru	★★★★	7.8	296	Search Family Hotels
Thistle Johor Bahru	★★★★★	7.7	220	Search Family Hotels
Suan Bee Hotel	★★★	7.6	131	Search Family Hotels
Pariss Hotel	★★★	7.4	249	Search Family Hotels
Hallmark Regency Hotel - Johor Bahru	★★★	7.4	161	Search Family Hotels
Oriental City Inn		6.9	85	Search Family Hotels
Good Hope Hotel	★★★	6.9	194	Search Family Hotels

Exploring Amazing Resorts in Desaru Coast in Johor

The next day, I decided to explore Desaru, a very popular resort town located along the east coast of mainland Malaysia. I started early so I could make the most of my day at the beach. The 100 km drive from Johor Bahru to Desaura is delightful as the road conditions are excellent with a few stopovers along the way.

I decided to stay for the night at the Hard Rock Hotel in Desaru, offering quality accommodation and an outdoor water park for kids. A local band was planned to play hard rock tracks at the local bar at the hotel.

A seafood lunch at the popular “Nelayan Seafood by the Beach” is not to be missed. Weekend nights are fun, complete with an outdoor seafood BBQ, while enjoying the cool ocean breeze. The restaurant is located adjacent to Tunamaya Resort.

On my way back to Johor, I visit the Sultan Abu Bakr Mosque, situated on top of the hill. The mosque is located next to the Royal Palace, which can also be visited. The downtown area of Johor features a mix of old and modern restaurants. I bought some puff pastries from Salahuddin Bakery. “The Replacement” is a great place for modern Western-style brunch.

Deluxe Room at Z Hotel

Z-Hotel Johor

Basic amenities

Deluxe Room

View from my room

Staying at Z-hotel, which is ideally located near the major attractions in Johor Bahru

This area, located across from Z-Hotel, is packed with several cafes offering a variety of popular dishes for lunch and breakfast.

Outdoor Waterpark at Hard Rock Hotel in Desaru

The next day, I explored Danga Bay, a burgeoning residential area with trendy apartment-style accommodations. Marine Beach Bar is a nice spot to sit and enjoy drinks till midnight. The cool breeze and dimming light of Singapore can be seen from a distance.

The next morning, I walked to the old district located adjacent to the Z Hotel where I was staying. The streets are packed early in the morning, as several local cafes are quite popular with the local crowd. Kopitiam (coffee shops serving Malay and Chinese dishes) attract large crowds. Hiap Joo Bakery (popular for banana bread) and Salahuddin Bakery are old-school establishments using traditional baking styles to make pastries, curry puffs and other snacks.

The Replacement Cafe is a popular spot among locals seeking Western-style breakfast and coffee. I decided to have breakfast at this cafe. The modern English breakfast, featuring hash browns, bacon, and eggs, with a generous serving of coffee, costs over RM50.

Sultan Ismail Road, located along the waterfront and ferry terminal, is also a popular hangout spot with the local crowd, featuring many bars and restaurants that offer a mix of seafood and other regional dishes.

Johor Bahru is quite spread out, and there is plenty to explore in the city. I recommend staying for at least 3-4 days to explore most places around Johor Bahru.

The most popular hotels in Johor Bahru include:

On my return trip, I decided to drive straight to Kuala Lumpur City and covered the distance in 7 hours, with two stops along the way.

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