Hidden gems, coastal views, and local eats you don’t want to miss.
Planning a road trip from Johor Bahru to Mersing? Good choice. This isn’t just a drive — it’s a journey filled with quiet kampungs, scenic backroads, and underrated food spots. And with the freedom of your own rental car, you can stop whenever something catches your eye.
Mersing is well-known as the gateway to islands like Tioman, but the road to get there is just as exciting — if you know where to stop.
Here’s your JB to Mersing road trip guide, filled with the best places to take a break, snap a photo, or grab a bite.
📍 Route Overview
Distance: ~135km
Drive time: Around 2.5 to 3 hours
Best car to rent:
- Myvi or Vios – Comfortable and fuel-efficient
- Alza or Exora – Perfect if traveling with family or lots of bags
Start early for a more relaxing drive and time to enjoy the stops!
🛑 1. Hutan Bandar Seri Alam – For a Chill Morning Walk
Distance from JB: ~30 minutes
This small green park just off the route is perfect if you want to stretch your legs before the longer drive. Great for families or those who like to start slow.
What to do:
- Walk around the lake
- Quick breakfast at nearby kopitiams
- Spot local birds and monkeys in the trees
🛑 2. Kota Tinggi Town – For Local Food & Supplies
Distance from JB: ~1 hour
A classic stop for many road-trippers, Kota Tinggi is ideal for a quick nasi lemak or mee rebus stop. Also a good place to top up on snacks and petrol.
Must-try:
- Restoran Selera Kota for traditional Johorean food
- Grab ice cream from a roadside stall
- Local mini marts have surprisingly good keropok!
🛑 3. Air Terjun Kota Tinggi – For a Waterfall Break
Distance from JB: ~1 hr 15 mins
Fancy a short detour into nature? Just a few km off the main road, this cool waterfall is a favourite for a dip or riverside chill session. You’ll feel refreshed and ready for the rest of the drive.
Tip:
Bring a towel and extra change of clothes if you plan to swim.
🛑 4. Teluk Sengat – For Views & History
Distance from JB: ~1 hr 30 mins
A quiet fishing village with a relaxing coastal view, Teluk Sengat is perfect if you like places that are off the beaten path. It also has an old crocodile farm if you’re feeling adventurous.
Things to do:
- Walk by the jetty
- Eat fresh seafood lunch
- Visit the Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm
🛑 5. Desaru Fruit Farm (Optional Detour)
Add-on Detour: +30 mins from the main road
If you’re up for a side trip, Desaru Fruit Farm is a fun stop — especially if you’re with kids. Learn about local fruits, feed farm animals, or just enjoy a sweet mango juice under the sun.
🛑 6. Mersing Town – You’ve Arrived!
Drive time from JB: ~2.5 hours
Welcome to Mersing! Before you head to the jetty (if you’re catching a ferry), take time to explore the town.
Things to do in Mersing:
- Eat at Loke Tien Yuen (famous for Chinese-style seafood)
- Grab supplies at 7-Eleven before heading to the islands
- Visit Masjid Jamek Mersing near the riverbank
If you’re not going to the islands, no worries — Mersing also has quiet beaches nearby like Pantai Air Papan for a peaceful picnic.
✅ Final Tips for Your JB–Mersing Road Trip
- Start early to beat traffic and enjoy each stop
- Use Waze – it’ll show live road conditions and scenic detours
- Refuel in Kota Tinggi or Mersing – stations are sparse in between
- Bring water, snacks, and a power bank
- Don’t forget your Touch ’n Go card for tolls
🚘 Don’t Have a Car? We’ve Got You.
At Gem Car Rental JB, we make road trips easy:
- 🚙 Clean, reliable rental cars for every budget
- 📍 Pick-up points at Holiday Inn, Bukit Indah, Permas Jaya, or Senai Airport
- 📞 Friendly support if you need anything on the road
Whether you’re heading to Mersing for the islands, the drive, or just a break from the city, we’ll get you there — comfortably and affordably.
Lets travel with Gem Car Rental. We have so many types of car leasing in johor such as Sedan cars, Hatchback cars , SUV cars, MPV cars available ! Click the link below to book now ! https://linktr.ee/gemcar
Place we cover for delivery :
- Hotel in Johor Bahru ;
Doubletree Hilton Jb
Holiday Inn Jb Central
Renaissance Hotel Permas Jaya
Ramada Suites
KSL Resort Johor Bahru
Hotel Thistle
Almas Suites Puteri Harbour
D Elegance Grand Hotel
St.Giles Southkey - Specific Location we cover for delivery :
Seri Alam , Masai
Pasir Gudang
Permas Jaya
Taman Mount Austin
Larkin Central Johor Bahru
Taman Perling
Setia Tropika
Bukit Indah
Senai Airport Johor Bahru
Skudai
Puteri Harbour
Iskandar Puteri
Gelang Patah
