Road Trips To Take In India

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Monday, March 9, 2020

India, the land of colossal beauty, has its streets laden with the charm of rusticity and picturesque landscapes. An ideal place to vacation in, it gives us all the more reasons to hit the road with a bunch of friends or family members and weave memories of a lifetime. Slide the windows down, turn the volume up, get your road trip attires sorted and travel the unexplored paths.

We’ve handpicked 12 amazing road trips you should definitely sign up for, in India. Let’s check them out!

Mumbai to Goa
Manali to Leh
Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley
Guwahati to Tawang
Chennai to Pondicherry
Shimla to Manali (via Mandi)
Ahmedabad to Kutch
Kolkata to Digha
Darjeeling to Pelling
Mumbai to Mount Abu
Bangalore to Ooty
Delhi-Agra-Jaipur

Mumbai to Goa

But first, Goa! Goes without saying, your first road trip with your gang has to be to Goa. Adorned with the Western Ghats and enlivened with rich experiences and the exuberance of Goa, this road trip will be full of unplanned indulgences and memories. There are two routes to travel to Goa from Mumbai. One is traveling via the Pune-Kolhapur route through NH4 and the second is taking the Chiplun-Ratnagiri route through NH66. While the former requires you to cover a distance of 590 kilometers within 10 hours (non-stop), the latter will take you 12 hours to cover a distance of 577 kilometers. You’ll be visually treated with paddy fields and coconut plantations and you always take a pit-stop to relish some local delicacies!

Distance: 590 kilometers (366 miles) via NH4 | 577 kilometers (358 miles) via NH66

Best time: September to March

Know more about this beach destination of India in Goa Tourism.

Also read: Wander The Roads Less Travelled of Goa

Manali to Leh

This road trip has probably been popping out of your travel bucket list every time you were planning a trip. It’s time to strike it out! With unpredictable twists and turns, a Ladakh road trip is the kind of adventure and thrill we all rightly deserve in our lives. All roads to this paradise on Earth are embellished with snow-capped mountains, clear skies, breath-taking monasteries and picturesque landscapes. Most part of your road trip to Leh from Manali will be at an altitude of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). It will take you at least a period of two days to cover a distance of 478 kilometers. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to take several short breaks to soak in the beauty of Keylong and Sarchu.

Distance: 478 kilometers (297 miles)

Best time: June to September

Get more information about various things to do in Manali and places to visit in Leh.

Also read: Leh Ladakh Bike Trip – Explore Ladakh on Wheels

Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley

The generous bounty of the Bay of Bengal will gift you surreal experiences in this one. A road trip from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley is laden with wide stretches of lush green, coffee plantations, breath-taking waterfalls and hillsides covered in blankets of green. It’ll take you around three to four hours to cover a distance of 114 kilometers. Make sure you take a whole lot of pictures on your way for you’ll be treated with a number of scenic views!

Distance: 114 kilometers (70 miles)

Best time: October to March

Guwahati to Tawang

Planning a road trip to the north-east? You must consider this one! A road journey from Guwahati to Tawang takes around 14 hours to cover a distance of 509 kilometers. With rough roads sandwiched between lush green landscapes and mountains covered in sheets of white, you will already declare this trip a big success! You can multiple stops at some amazing destinations such as Dirang in West Kameng to explore the Buddhist culture and also satisfy the culture lover in you by visiting Tezpur in Assam. Complement your explorations with a whole lot of lip-smacking momos!

Distance: 509 kilometers (316 miles)

Best time: March to October

Know more about other places to visit in Assam!

Also read: 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit the North East

Chennai to Pondicherry

Pondicherry is also regarded as the “Paris of the East” for all the right reasons. With a distance of 155 kilometers between Chennai and Pondicherry, it’ll take you around three to four hours to reach this one gem of a place if you journey your way through the East Coast Road. The ocean with sunlight beaming on the surface shall be your travel companion as you pass through Mahabalipuram. Some places to visit in Chennai that you can relax and unwind in the middle of your travels include the Alambara Fort in Idaikkazhinadu, salt pans in Marakkanam and adorable house boats in Mudaliarkuppam along with enthralling water sport activities.

Distance: 155 kilometers (96 miles)

Best time: October to February

Also read: Top 10 Budget Trips for Youngsters in India

Shimla to Manali (via Mandi)

This road trip is a treasure trove for photographers seeking inspiration for their next shoot. With distance of circa 247 kilometers between Shimla and Manali, this enchanting and life transforming road trip will take you approximately seven hours via NH205 and NH3. Right when you leave for this journey till the time you reach Manali, you’ll be enticed with the finest creations of Mother Earth. Mighty mountains on one side and landscapes in shades of green on the other, this road trip will leave you awestruck for the rest of your lives (not exaggerating)!

Distance: 247 kilometers (153 miles)

Best time: Mid-September to mid-July

Also read: 30 Things to Do in Himachal before You Turn 30

Check out Manali Tourism to know more!

Ahmedabad to Kutch

Simply wow is such an understatement to describe what you’ll experience on your road trip from Ahmedabad to Kutch. It takes around seven hours to cover a distance of 400 kilometers and reach the White Desert – Kutch. Your eyes will be treated with the vibrant and colourful culture of Gujarat while the traveller’s soul in you will be pleased with mouth-watering Gujarat cuisine and the benevolence of its people. Glance through uniquely colourful huts that line the streets of Kutch and don’t forget to take abundant pictures! Places you must visit in Kutch include the Wild Ass Sanctuary, Chari-Dhand for some bird-watching and Hodko Village for handicrafts.

Distance: 400 kilometers (248 miles)

Best time: October to March

Also read: Places to Visit in Gujarat for an Unforgettable Vacation

Get more information about Gujarat in Gujarat Tourism.

Kolkata to Digha

A road trip from Kolkata to Digha is the perfect beach getaway you’ve always wanted to experience. With a distance of 184 kilometers in between, the roads in this journey are lined with scenic landscape views and lush green trees. It takes around four hours to reach Digha from Kolkata if you’re traveling via NH16 and NH16B. On your way, you’ll be greeted with rustic local dhabas and lip-smacking food. One among the many things to do in West Bengal, when in Digha, is to bask in the sun by the beach, indulge in seafood gluttony and gaze at the setting sun. Also, the beaches of Digha offer pony rides.

Distance: 184 kilometers (114 miles)

Best time: July to March

Check out West Bengal Tourism to know more!

Darjeeling to Pelling

Wide stretches of lush green landscapes, tea plantations and mighty mountains, yes, that is exactly what a road trip from Darjeeling to Pelling is all about. The distance is 72 kilometers and can be covered within four hours. What better way to enliven your road trip than by taking a quick tea break right in the lap of nature! The roads are well-maintained making your drive smooth and easy while spectacular views come complementary.

Distance: 72 kilometers (44 miles)

Best time: March to June, September to December

Also read: Sikkim, The Crystalline Beauty With Majestic Mountains

Know more about places to visit in Sikkim for a memorable vacation!

Mumbai to Mount Abu

Urban towns and hilly terrains is the best combination for a memorable road trip. When journeying via NH48, it’ll take you around 12 hours to cover the distance of 756 kilometers. You’ll be passing through the rustic ruins of Maharashtra, the vibrant heritage of Gujarat and the welcoming charm of Rajasthan. Also, you’ll never fall short of food because the roads will bring to you authentic home style cuisines through local dhabas garnished with some really wonderful views.

Distance: 756 kilometers (475 miles)

Best time: July to October

Also read: Mount Abu: Rajasthan’s Summer Capital

Check out various other things you can do in Rajasthan when in Mount Abu.

Bangalore to Ooty

Nature lovers, gather your road trip essentials and hit the road already! A picturesque route awaits you while you drive your way from Bangalore to Ooty. Through NH275, it’ll take you around six hours to cover this distance of 278 kilometers. You’ll be welcomed by dainty lakes, mesmerizing tea plantations and spectacular waterfalls. Also, do not miss out on marveling at the dense rainforests of Bandipur and checking out mighty palaces of Mysore.

Distance: 278 kilometers (172 miles)

Best time: October to June

Delhi-Agra-Jaipur

Talk about road trips and the Golden Triangle deserves a special mention. Traversing your way from Delhi through Agra and up to Jaipur, brace yourselves to experience these historically significant culture rich destinations. Via Yamuna Expressway and NH8, this road trip traces a distance of approximately 449 kilometers and can vary from seven hours to two to three days as per your travel plans. Places to visit in Delhi include the Jama Masjid, Mughal Red Fort and much more whereas Agra offers heart capturing views of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Things to do in Jaipur include shopping at the Tripoli Bazaar and Chandpole Bazaar.

Distance: 449 kilometers (279 miles)

Best time: August to March

Also read: Six Rajasthan Hill Forts You Must Visit

Get more information about the same in Jaipur Tourism.

Now that you know about the best road trips to take in India, let us talk about some road trip essentials you should keep in your mind (take notes!).