Da Nang – Quy Nhon – Tuy Hoa – Nha Trang – Da Lat 5-Day 4-Night Private Car Road Trip Itinerary
The overland route from Da Nang down the coast through Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, and Nha Trang before climbing Khanh Le Pass (1,700m summit at Hon Giao across roughly 30 km on National Highway 27C) to Da Lat spans approximately 650 km. Rather than enduring a grueling single-day haul, this 5-day 4-night road trip breaks the journey into comfortable 130 to 220 km daily stages (3 to 4.5 hours of driving), pairing seaside nights in Quy Nhon and Nha Trang with two cool highland nights in Da Lat before flying out of Lien Khuong Airport (DLI).
Table of Contents (4 sections)
Covering a 650 km overland corridor from Da Nang and Hoi An down the South-Central coast to Nha Trang and up to the Da Lat highlands over 5 days and 4 nights requires balanced daily pacing so passengers stay energized throughout the journey. Instead of compressing long highway stretches into a single exhausting marathon, a well-structured itinerary breaks the drive into comfortable 135–310 km daily segments with coastal sightseeing stops before climbing Khanh Le Pass on National Highway 27C (about 30 km long, with road signs marking 29–33 km and reaching 1,700m at Hon Giao peak).
Sun Travel operates this multi-day route with well-maintained 4, 7, and 16-seat private vehicles driven by friendly local chauffeurs experienced in both coastal highways and Central Highlands mountain passes. Our drivers strictly cross Khanh Le Pass during daytime hours between 06:00 and 15:00 to avoid dense fog after 15:30, provide 30 minutes of flexible pickup waiting time at each pickup point, and support transparent cancellation terms or schedule adjustments when notified in advance before departure.
Day-by-Day 5-Day 4-Night Da Nang – Nha Trang – Da Lat Road Trip Schedule and Pass Cut-Off Times
The overland route linking Central Vietnam with the coastal centre in Nha Trang Ward, Khanh Hoa Province (following the merger with former Ninh Thuan Province) and the highland centre in Xuan Huong - Da Lat Ward, Lam Dong Province (following the merger with former Dak Nong and Binh Thuan Provinces) transitions across expressways, seaside passes, and high-altitude pine forests. The table below outlines real driving durations and recommended departure windows for each day:
| Day | Route Segment & Driving Distance | Departure Window & Pass Cut-Off | Rest Stops, Clean Restrooms & En-Route Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Da Nang / Hoi An → Quy Nhon | About 310 km via the Da Nang – Quang Ngai Expressway and National Highway 1A (4 hours 45 minutes – 5 hours 15 minutes) | Depart Da Nang or Hoi An between 06:30 and 07:30 | Morning restroom and coffee break in Duc Pho; seafood lunch by Sa Huynh beach at 11:00; afternoon hotel check-in in Quy Nhon followed by sunset views at Eo Gio – Nhon Ly |
| Day 2: Quy Nhon → Tuy Hoa → Nha Trang | About 220 km along National Highway 1A and through the Deo Ca road tunnel (4 hours – 4 hours 30 minutes of driving) | Depart Quy Nhon at 07:30 | Visit Ganh Da Dia basalt cliffs, enjoy a blood cockle lunch at O Loan Lagoon, pass through Deo Ca tunnel past Vung Ro Bay and Dai Lanh beach before reaching Nha Trang by 16:30 |
| Day 3: Nha Trang Bay & Po Nagar Cham Towers | Urban and bayside transfers totaling 35 – 50 km | Flexible schedule between 08:00 and 19:30 | Door-to-door transfers to Po Nagar Cham Towers, the Institute of Oceanography, Long Son Pagoda, hot mineral mud baths, and evening dining along Tran Phu Boulevard |
| Day 4: Nha Trang → Khanh Le Pass (NH27C) → Da Lat | About 135 – 140 km, including roughly 30 km on Khanh Le Pass (3 hours 15 minutes – 3 hours 45 minutes) | Depart 07:30 – 09:00 (mandatory crossing over the 1,700m Hon Giao summit before 15:00) | Refuel and pause 15 minutes at the Khanh Vinh foothill station; photo and hot ginger tea stop at Hon Giao peak (1,700m); afternoon visits to Trai Mat Old Railway Station and Xuan Huong Lake |
| Day 5: Da Lat (Cau Dat – Tuyen Lam) → Lien Khuong Airport | About 45 – 60 km via Cau Dat Tea Hill, Tuyen Lam Lake, and the Lien Khuong – Prenn Expressway | Morning cloud-hunting departure at 06:00 or timed to your afternoon flight | Explore Cau Dat Tea Hill, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, and Tuyen Lam Lake, pick up fresh Da Lat strawberries, and transfer directly to Lien Khuong Airport (DLI), 30 km south of the city centre |
You can review full vehicle specifications and book the complete package on our Da Nang – Nha Trang – Da Lat 5-day 4-night road trip car tour or customize point-to-point stage transfers on our Da Nang – Hoi An to Nha Trang – Da Lat long-distance private car page.
Planning Your Day 4 Departure Across Khanh Le Pass (1,700m)
The Day 4 climb from sea level in Nha Trang up to the Da Lat plateau is the most technically demanding segment of the 5-day itinerary. To ensure a smooth, comfortable crossing over the 30 km Khanh Le Pass section (road signs indicate 29–33 km), Sun Travel drivers follow three operational practices:
- Morning Departure Between 07:30 and 09:00 from Nha Trang: Leaving in the morning ensures your vehicle traverses the Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park forest corridor and clears the 1,700m Hon Giao summit between 09:30 and 11:00. Visibility is clearest during late morning, keeping your group well ahead of the afternoon mountain mist that forms after 15:30 and any rainy-season night closures from 17:00 to 07:00.
- Scheduled Rest Stops at Khanh Vinh and Hon Giao Peak: Ascending from 0m to 1,700m brings a rapid temperature shift between the coast and the plateau. Your driver pauses for 15 minutes at the Khanh Vinh rest stop before the climb and again at the Hon Giao summit viewpoint so passengers can sip hot ginger tea, use clean restrooms, and adjust comfortably as outside temperatures drop from 30°C to 15–18°C.
- Rainy-Season Contingency via National Highway 27 (Phan Rang – Ngoan Muc Pass): During heavy October–December monsoon rains, if highway authorities restrict access on Khanh Le Pass, our team proactively reroutes your vehicle south past Vinh Hy Bay and Phan Rang to ascend Ngoan Muc Pass on National Highway 27 safely during daylight hours.
Parking Logistics, Restroom Stops, and 4G Signal Coverage Along the Route
- Dedicated Parking for 4 to 16-Seat Vehicles: Major stops including Eo Gio, Ganh Da Dia, Po Nagar Cham Towers, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, and Da Lat Old Railway Station feature paved parking areas within a flat 50–150m walk of the entrance gates; all parking fees and Deo Ca tunnel tolls are included in the base fare.
- 4G Mobile Signal Dead Zones on National Highway 27C: The mid-pass mountain gorge between Km 42 and Km 58 on Khanh Le Pass experiences intermittent or zero 4G cellular coverage for roughly 25–30 minutes. Drivers pre-load offline navigation maps and coordinate rest-stop timing with your group at the Khanh Vinh foothill station before entering the pass.
Ending Your Trip with an Open-Jaw Flight from Lien Khuong Airport (DLI)
- Save a 650 km Return Drive by Flying Out of Lien Khuong Airport: Rather than backtracking north by road to Da Nang, travellers finish their 5-day 4-night journey with a direct drop-off at Lien Khuong Airport (located 30 km south of Xuan Huong Lake via the Lien Khuong – Prenn Expressway, a 35–40 minute drive) for direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi while the vehicle returns empty to Central Vietnam.
- Compare Connected Regional Corridors: Explore our complete route network linking Hue, Da Nang, the South-Central coast, and the Central Highlands in the South-Central Vietnam and Central Highlands private car road trip handbook.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 5D4N Da Nang – Nha Trang – Da Lat Road Trip
What is the starting price of the 5-day, 4-night private car road trip from Da Nang through Quy Nhon and Nha Trang to Da Lat?
Current starting rates for Da Nang / Hue → Quy Nhon – Tuy Hoa – Nha Trang – Khanh Le Pass – Da Lat (5 days, 4 nights): 4-seat car from US$592, 7-seat car from US$677 and 16-seat van from US$861. The listed price includes fuel, road tolls and parking; Sun Travel quotes the final fare based on your pickup and drop-off points, itinerary and departure time.
Does a 5-day 4-night road trip from Da Nang to Nha Trang and Da Lat involve excessive daily driving?
No, splitting the 650 km corridor into 5 days keeps daily driving comfortable: the longest stage from Da Nang to Quy Nhon takes about 5 hours on expressways and National Highway 1A, Quy Nhon to Nha Trang takes around 4 hours, and the Nha Trang to Da Lat climb over Khanh Le Pass takes about 3 hours 30 minutes with scenic rest stops.
What time should we depart Nha Trang on Day 4 to cross Khanh Le Pass safely to Da Lat?
Departing Nha Trang between 07:30 and 09:00 is ideal so your private car completes the 30 km Khanh Le Pass climb and crosses the 1,700m Hon Giao summit well within Sun Travel's mandatory 06:00–15:00 daytime window before afternoon fog rolls in after 15:30.
Can the driver drop our group directly at Lien Khuong Airport on the final day in Da Lat?
Yes, your driver handles morning sightseeing around Da Lat on Day 5 and drops your group directly at the Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) departure terminal 30 km south of the city centre in time for your afternoon flight without needing a separate airport taxi.
How does Sun Travel handle itinerary changes if heavy rain affects Khanh Le Pass?
Our dispatch team monitors road conditions daily to reroute via National Highway 27 (Phan Rang – Ngoan Muc Pass) when necessary, includes standard flexible pickup waiting time at pickups, and supports transparent cancellation terms or schedule adjustments when notified in advance before departure.
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