India, with its diverse terrains, can boast of some of the most thrilling road trips one can possibly embark on. Whether it is the huge mountains in the northern region or the calm beaches and backwaters in the southern part of the country, every trip is a discovery of novelty in adventure, history and terrene endowment. Here you will get to know about the 20 best road trips in India along with some tips to make your experience worthwhile. Well then, let the engine roar, let the journey begin and dive into the array of the best road trips in India.
20 Best Road Trips in India will Make Your Journey Special
1. Manali to Leh Highway
| Distance: | 479 km |
| Best time to visit: | June to September |
Enjoy the adventurous road from Manali to Leh through some lofty states of the world like Rohtang Pass and Khardung La passes, this is not merely a journey but an amusement of beautiful terrains of Himalayas. For the thrill and sole travellers this road trip in India provides a gateway to the unexplored world of Ladakh.
2. Mumbai to Goa
| Distance: | 609 km |
| Best time to visit: | November to February |
The old world charm of this route is well described as it takes you from Mumbai, the bustling commercial capital to Goa the beach paradise. During the drive through the Western Ghats, clients are presented with fantastic scenery, winding roads, and at some times the sea. It is an exquisite blend of North and South Indian culture, history and beach hence it earns the slot of one of the best road trips in India.
3. The Golden Triangle: Delhi-Agra-Jaipur
| Distance: | 720 km (total) |
| Best time to visit: | October to March |
Follow the path of the Golden Triangle of India and its numerous historic and architectural monuments. This route covers three of the most iconic cities: The three main tourist destinations are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. First, explore the capital of India – Delhi with its inherited Great Britain’s architecture and powerful historical atmosphere, and then marvel with the eternal creation of love – Taj Mahal in Agra . Last is the Jaipur, the Pink City, and the glory of the palaces and the forts of Rajasthan will wonderrûyou. This trip is historically rich and provides the traveller with a rich cultural experience of India’s past.
4. Chennai to Pondicherry via East Coast Road
| Distance: | 151 km |
| Best time to visit: | October to March |
The East Coast Road from Chennai to Pondicherry is beautiful and the drive should not be missed. This route once presents beautiful scene of the Bay of Bengal with sandy beach line, some fishing villages and greenish view. A feature that is worth noting is that we are going to visit the Alamparai Fort which is a relatively unknown fort but holds a great deal of history in Tamil Nadu. The vibrant color, the French flavor still evident all through Pondicherry and the fascinating French architecture make this one of the best road trips in India.
5. Bangalore to Ooty via Bandipur Forest
| Distance: | 265 km |
| Best time to visit: | October to June |
The lovers of the nature and wildlife will have great amazement while driving from Bangalore to Ooty via Bandipur forest. Pretty sceneries of high rising mountains and thick forests can be seen in and around Bandipur and there are possibilities of spotting wild animals like elephants, dears, and even tigers while on the drive. The final destination is Ooty which is a beautiful hill station situated on the Nilgiri hills famous for its coverage of tea gardens and also having pleasant climate.
6. Guwahati to Tawang
| Distance: | 520 km |
| Best time to visit: | March to October |
Take an adventurous drive from Guwahati to Tawang which is one of the most scenic and untouched regions of India. This route will provide impressive view of the eastern most part of the Himalayas and an opportunity to discover the native culture of Arunachal state. Sights to behold along this route are breathtaking mountain views such as the highest motor able pass being the Sela pass, glacial lakes and monasteries.
7. Jaipur to Jaisalmer
| Distance: | 558 km |
| Best time to visit: | October to March |
Embark on a desert adventure from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, traversing the vast expanse of the Thar Desert. Take an overland journey between two north Indian cities – Jaipur and Jaisalmer – through the arid Thar Desert. Some of the sites you are likely to come across as you tour through Rajasthan include the historical castles, bazaars, and people with a cultural blend of traditional Rajasthan.It is one of the most interesting road trips in Rajasthan and presents history, culture, and scenic beauty.
8. Ahmedabad to Kutch
| Distance: | 400 km |
| Best time to visit: | November to February |
One of the more recent travel stories shared is the drive from Ahmedabad to Kutch – or more specifically, the drive through the Rann of Kutch, a huge salt plain that is as white as the snow and goes on as far as the horizon does. Tour during the Rann Utsav, a cultural fair which makes the region vibrant with music and dance along with selling handicrafts. The salt flats are extremely beautiful at night, especially when the moon is full, you will never forget the experience.
9. Shimla to Manali via Mandi
| Distance: | 250 km |
| Best time to visit: | March to June, September to December |
This self-drive road trip takes you through the mountain state of Himachal Pradesh and is visually one of the best road trips that India has to offer. The one that heads from Shimla to Manali through Mandi is as scenic as it gets – rolling green acres bordering rivers and crescending mountains of snow. It is the ride that is a trip in its own right, where there are many places to pull over for the purpose of overlooking the beauty of the landscapes.
10. Kolkata to Digha
| Distance: | 183 km |
| Best time to visit: | October to February |
One would be needing a break from the busy city life of Kolkata and a perfect weekend break would be a visit to the sea sidereal town of Digha. It is long and quite eventful and takes you through the countrysides of rural Bengal. After reaching Digha, make use of the sun, sand and sea food for which this coastal town is famous for.
11. Mumbai to Mount Abu
| Distance: | 765 km |
| Best time to visit: | November to February |
From beaches to mountains, historical monuments to desert, Mumbai to Mount Abu is one of the best road trips you can plan in western India. The tour covers both traffic, congestion and silence of the hills while making a number of pit-stops at historical places and temples. Mount Abu is situated on the pinnacle of a single rock, which gives it the acclimatised climate and the Dilwara Temples, an ethereal ensemble of temples made of marble.
12. Delhi to Rishikesh
| Distance: | 242 km |
| Best time to visit: | September to April |
Not only spiritual thrill of visiting Rishikesh pilgrim’s paradise the Delhi Rishikesh road trip is perfect for the adventurous traveller. Famous as the Yoga Capital of the World, Rishikesh also offers the best adventure tourism including River Rafting, Bungee Jumping and Camping beside the sacred river Ganga. Even the drive is picture staking which passes through the beautiful hills of the region of Uttarakhand.
13. Pune to Mahabaleshwar
| Distance: | 120 km |
| Best time to visit: | June to March |
Pune to Mahabaleshwar is a simple road trip that takes one into the bosom of the Western Ghats. It is most scenic especially in the rainy season where the hills are green and water falls are fully in operation. It is famous hill station with beautiful view of valleys, strawberry gardens and forest areas.
14. Bangalore to Coorg
| Distance: | 265 km |
| Best time to visit: | October to March |
Coorg or Kodagu as it is called is frequently described as the Scotland of India is a veritable paradise for those who love the great outdoors. A four and a half hour road trip from Bangalore brings you through an area of coffee plantation, hilly area and dense forests enroute Coorg. Being culturally diverse, the Kodava people, and famous aromatic coffee, Coorg is the best weekend destination.
15. Hyderabad to Hampi
| Distance: | 377 km |
| Best time to visit: | October to March |
Take an hour’s flight to Bangalore and then a four hour’s drive to Hampi, one of the world’s heritage sites which was once the capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. The terrain here is characterised by rocks, old monuments and temples with historic theme ruling the region. Hampi is virtually an ‘Open Air Museum’ and civilization and nature go hand in hand.
16. Chennai to Munnar
| Distance: | 600 km |
| Best time to visit: | September to March |
It is located deep in the green state of Kerala, which can be accessed by a tiring about six hour drive from Chennai. There are mainly hills consisting of tea gardens, a pleasant climate, and foggy mornings are typical for Munnar. On the way you can have a break at such places as valleys, waterfalls, and wildlife sanctuary that depict the beauty of Kerala.
17. Delhi to Jaipur
| Distance: | 280 km |
| Best time to visit: | November to March |
Guarantee yourself the unforgettable Driven Tour to Jaipur which is one of the best road trips in Rajasthan and get the opportunity to try the unique Rajasthani hospitality and to get acquainted with the local traditions and customs closer. The pink city as Jaipur is popularly known truly combines the contemporary world and the ancient one, markets, forts and palaces which have got centuries of stories to tell.
18. Amritsar to Dharamshala
| Distance: | 200 km |
| Best time to visit: | March to June, September to December |
A drive from Amritsar to Dharamsala is peaceful, and takes one deep into the embrace of the Dhauladhar range of hills. Dharamshala being part of the Tibetan culture and where the Dalai Lama is located is a very calm place. The route is picturesque with a sightseeing of beautiful terrains, tea estates, and mountainous snow clad ranges.
19. Vishakhapatnam to Araku Valley
| Distance: : | 120 km |
| Best time to visit: | September to March |
Take a road trip to the eastern part of India’s central highlands known as the Eastern Ghats by car from Vishakhapatnam to the hill station of Araku Valley famous for its coffee and tribals. The road goes through bushy areas, near water falls, and across bridges that have been built over hills through tunnels. Thereby, Araku Valley can be recommended the perfect place for those who want to escape noise of the big city and enjoy stunning nature.
20. Panjim to Gokarna
| Distance: | 130 km |
| Best time to visit: : | October to March |
You can totally conclude your road trip by departing from Panjim, which is the capital of Goa to Gokarna, a quite beach town of Karnataka. This route showcases beautiful coastline, beautiful beaches and a good opportunity to experience the bohemian atmosphere of Gokarna, which could be compared to but is more relaxed than Goa.
These are great roads to drive, but they are so much more than the drive – they are journeys into the soul of the Indian subcontinent. For the adventurous one, the history lover or just the plain traveller these best road trips in India will truly be an unforgettable one. So, gather your best supplies, unfold your travel chart and let’s begin with the journey of the 20 best road trips in India that will surely become the lifetime memories for you.
FAQs about Road Trips in India
Q.1. What is that so called ideal time to travel by the roads in India?
Ans: It is an essential aspect because the times depend on the regions. For the Himalayan routes the preferable month is June to September. Places like Rajasthan which are in the desert are perfect from October to March. There is more to explore along the coast in Goa and Kerala than throughout most of the rest of India between November and February; in the Western Ghats, the best weather arrives between June and March.
Q.2. How safe is road travel in India?
Ans: Yes, but exercise caution. Do not drive when it is dark in untraveled regions, know the weather conditions, adhere to the traffic regulations, and always have contacts of loved ones with them.
Q.3. What is necessary when one is planning for a road trip?
Ans: Identification, insurance, registration, title, emergency kit, food, water, maps, compass and spare batteries or battery chargers. A spare tire and the basic repair tools should also be within the car’s reach.
Q.4. Is it possible for me to hire cars for the outstation or one way journeys?
Ans: Indeed, car and bike rentals are possible in most of the country’s cities and as a rule, in specially focused places of interest. Make certain the car is not a problem, and always do a detailed study on the rental agreement.
