Here's What Actually Happened When I Drove This Route
I drove this exact route last winter — Delhi to Agra to Jaipur, then down to Udaipur and Jodhpur before looping back. Seven days. Roughly 1,200 km. And honestly? It was one of my best road trips in India.
Not because everything went perfectly. It didn't. I got stuck in traffic outside Jaipur, missed the turn to Ranakpur temple on the first try, and ate the worst dal baati of my life at some random dhaba near Ajmer.
But that's the thing about road trips. The mistakes become part of the story.
Here's how to do it without making my same mistakes.
The Basic Plan (So You Know What You're Getting Into)
| What | Details |
| Days | 7 days, 6 nights |
| Distance | ~1,200 km total |
| Route | Delhi → Agra → Jaipur → Udaipur → Jodhpur → Delhi |
| Best months | October through March (winter is comfy, 15–28°C) |
| Car | Rent an SUV — Innova or XUV700 if you can |
| Budget | ₹80,000–1,20,000 for two people (car, hotels, food, entries) |
Day 1: Delhi to Agra (230 km, about 4 hours)
Leave Delhi early. Like, 7 AM early. The highway traffic around Gurugram is brutal after 9 AM.
Stop at Mathura if you want to see the Krishna temple and grab fresh jalebi. It's on the way.
Reach Agra by late morning. Check into your hotel — I'd suggest somewhere near the Taj Mahal so you're not stuck in traffic later.
Here's the trick: Visit the Taj Mahal at sunset, not sunrise. Everyone says sunrise, but sunset is less crowded and the light on the marble is unfairly beautiful.
Dinner: Head to Shahganj for real Mughlai food. Skip the tourist traps near the Taj.
Stay: 1 night in Agra
Day 2: Agra to Jaipur (240 km, 4.5 hours)
Breakfast early, then hit the road. The NH48 highway is mostly 4-lane now, which is nice.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri — it's 40 km from Agra, sort of on the way. This is the abandoned Mughal city with red sandstone buildings. Spend maybe 2 hours walking around. It's underrated.
Reach Jaipur by 2 PM. Check into your hotel — MI Road or C Scheme area is central, near most restaurants and markets.
Evening: Walk around Johari Bazaar for jewelry, Bapu Bazaar for textiles. You'll get pulled into shops, that's normal. Just smile and keep walking if you're not interested.
Food: Dal baati churma at Handi Restaurant. Yes, it's touristy, but it's actually good.
Stay: 1 night in Jaipur
Day 3: Jaipur (full day, no driving)
Jaipur needs a full day. Don't rush it.
Morning (9 AM): Amber Fort. Get there early before the crowds. You can take an elephant up or walk the ramparts. Walking is fine.
Lunch: 1135 AD inside Amber Fort. It's expensive but the view is worth it.
Afternoon: City Palace and Jantar Mantar. The observatory at Jantar Mantar is weird and fascinating. You could spend an hour just staring at the giant sundial.
Evening: Nahargarh Fort for sunset. There's a cafe there with decent coffee and great views over the city.
Stay: 1 night in Jaipur
Day 4: Jaipur to Udaipur (400 km, 7–8 hours)
This is your longest driving day. Leave by 7 AM.
The route goes via Ajmer. It's mostly 4-lane highway, but there are some hilly sections near Ajmer. That's why you want an SUV.
Stop at Ajmer Sharif for lunch. It's 130 km from Jaipur. The dargah is worth seeing even if you're not religious.
Optional: Pushkar is 20 km off the highway. If you have time and want to see the sacred lake and Brahman temple, detour there. But only if you're notpressed for time.
Reach Udaipur by 4–5 PM. Check into a lakefront hotel if you can — the view of Lake Pichola at sunset is the whole reason you're here.
Evening: Boat ride on Lake Pichola. You'll see Jagmandir Palace and City Palace from the water. It's postcard-perfect, I know it sounds cliché, but it is.
Stay: 2 nights in Udaipur
Day 5: Udaipur (full day, no driving)
Morning: City Palace. It's huge. Plan 2–3 hours. The museums inside are surprisingly good.
Afternoon: Jagdish Temple near City Palace, then lunch at Ambrai Restaurant. The garden view of Lake Pichola while you eat is hard to beat.
Evening: Bagore Ki Haveli at 6 PM. There's a cultural show — folk dance, puppet shows, music. It's ₹400 and actually worth it.
Optional: If you want to do something active, drive to Kumbhalgarh Fort (85 km away). The wall is the second-longest in the world after the Great Wall of China.
Stay: 1 night in Udaipur
Day 6: Udaipur to Jodhpur (260 km, 5 hours)
Leave by 8 AM. Drive through Sirohi and Pali towns.
Must-stop: Ranakpur Jain Temple, 110 km from Udaipur. It has 1,444 marble pillars and no two are the same. Spend 1.5 hours here. It's breathtaking.
Optional: Khejarla Fort is a heritage hotel if you want to stop for tea.
Reach Jodhpur by 3 PM. Check into a hotel near Mehrangarh Fort.
Evening: Mehrangarh Fort. Get there before 5 PM when it closes. The audio guide is excellent. Sunset from the viewing platform is incredible — the whole Blue City below you.
Food: Mawa kebabs at Hathi Bhog. Or go to Lassi wali Gali for sweet lassi.
Stay: 1 night in Jodhpur
Day 7: Jodhpur to Delhi (620 km, 10–11 hours)
This is your long drive home. Two options:
Option A (Fast): Leave by 6 AM. Drive via NH62 to Neemrana (150 km), then NH48 to Delhi. You'll reach by 8–9 PM.
Option B (Scenic): Stop at Osian first — it's 65 km from Jodhpur. Old temple town with sandstone havelis. Then continue to Delhi via Neemrana.
Lunch: Neemrana Fort. It's a heritage hotel with a really good restaurant.
Reach Delhi by evening. Drop off your rental car. Trip done.
Car Rental: Keep It Simple
Drive yourself or hire a driver?
Drive yourself: You stop when you want. No waiting. But you're behind the wheel for 10 hours some days. That's exhausting.
Hire a driver: You sit back, look out the window, sleep if you want. Driver knows the roads, the food stops, the shortcuts. For this trip? Get a driver.
What car should you book?
- SUV is best — Toyota Innova or Mahindra XUV700
- Comfortable for long drives
- 6–7 seats if you're traveling with family
- Skip small cars. Some hotels and desert camps have bumpy roads.
Where to book in Jaipur?
Jaipur has the best car rental options in Rajasthan. For this 7-day trip, here's what works:
Use RajasthanCab.com
- Local Jaipur company
- They know the Golden Triangle, Udaipur, and Jodhpur routes well
- Drivers speak English and Hindi
- Experienced with tourists, know good dhabas and temple timings
- Toyota Innova, XUV700, Ertiga available
- They do 7-day Rajasthan packages covering the whole route: Delhi → Agra → Jaipur → Udaipur → Jodhpur → Delhi
Book at least 1 week early. If you're going October–March (winter), book even sooner. That's peak season and good cars get booked fast.
My honest advice?
For a 1,200 km, 7-day road trip, hire a car with driver through RajasthanCab.com. You won't be tired from driving. Your driver will show you stuff you'd miss — the random dhaba with the best dal baati, the quiet temple with no crowds, the sunset viewpoint that's not on Google Maps.
That's worth the extra money. Trust me.
Where to Stay (Without Getting Scammed)
Budget (₹3,000–6,000/night)
- Jaipur: Hotel Residency, Alsisar Haveli
- Udaipur: Hotel Golden Palace, Hotel Aravali (budget rooms)
- Jodhpur: Ajit Bhawan (budget wing)
Mid-range (₹8,000–15,000/night)
- Jaipur: Samode Haveli, Alsisar Haveli
- Udaipur: Fort Bekal, Taj Aravali
- Jodhpur: RAAS Haveli, Umaid Bhawan (budget wing)
Luxury (₹25,000+/night)
- Udaipur: Taj Lake Palace, Leela Palace
- Jaipur: Rambagh Palace
- Jodhpur: Umaid Bhawan Palace
Desert Camps (Near Jodhpur/Osian)
- Taj Desert Camp — camel safaris included
- Maya Desert Camp — luxury tents, good for stargazing
Things I Wish I Knew Before Going
- Download offline maps. Mobile signal drops between Udaipur and Jodhpur, especially near Ranakpur.
- Carry cash. Half the dhabas don't take cards. Keep ₹5,000–7,000 in small notes.
- Taj Mahal tickets online. Book 2–3 days ahead. They sell out on weekends.
- Start by 7 AM. Traffic builds after 10 AM. You'll lose an hour if you leave late.
- Dress modestly at temples. Cover shoulders and knees. Take off shoes before entering.
- Carry water. The desert air dries you out fast. Keep 2L in the car.
- Don't drive after 9 PM. Road conditions get worse, and you don't want to meet a stray cow on a dark highway.
Places Most Tourists Skip (But You Shouldn't)
Abhaneri Stepwell (Chand Baori) — 30 km from Jaipur on the way to Agra. One of India's deepest stepwells with 3,500 steps. Go at sunrise. The light down there is insane.
Band Baretha Wildlife Sanctuary — 60 km from Bharatpur near Agra. Lesser-known bird sanctuary. Flamingos, pelicans, deer. Quiet, no crowds.
Kumbhalgarh Night Show — 1.5 hours from Udaipur. Light and sound show about Rajput history. ₹400, worth it.
Osian Village — Near Jodhpur. Ancient temples, sandstone havelis, camel culture. Great stop before heading to Delhi.
Common Questions (Short Answers)
How much does this trip cost?
₹80,000–1,20,000 for two people (car, hotels, food, entries). Mid-range.
Best time to go?
October to March. Winter is 15–28°C. Avoid April–June (45°C+ heat). Monsoon (July–September) is unpredictable.
Is it safe for solo women?
Yes. Rajasthan is one of India's safer states. Use reputable car rentals, avoid night driving, trust your gut.
Can I do this in 5 days?
You can, but it'll feel rushed. Skip Udaipur or spend only 1 night there. 7 days is better.
Do I need an international driving permit?
Foreign nationals: yes. Indians: valid driver's license. Most rental companies want 2 years of driving experience.
What car is best?
SUV with high ground clearance. Toyota Innova or Mahindra XUV700. Highways are good, but some palace hotels have rough access roads.
The Real Talk
I've done this route four times now. Each time, I notice something different.
First time: Taj Mahal blew my mind.
Second time: Udaipur's lakes won me over.
Third time: I discovered Osian's temples.
Fourth time: I just sat in a Jaipur café watching the city wake up, feeling grateful.
That's the thing about road trips in Rajasthan. It's not about checking off monuments. It's the in-between moments: chai at a highway dhaba, a conversation with an artisan, sunset over the Thar, the stranger who becomes a friend at a palace hotel.
This 7-day loop gives you the best of everything: famous monuments, royal heritage, desert landscapes, and the freedom to go at your own pace.
One last thing: Book your car early. Especially for October–March. Rajasthan fills up fast in winter.
Then just go. The desert's waiting.
Quick FAQ
Q: Total distance?
A: ~1,200 km for the full loop.
Q: Can I pick up car in Delhi and drop in Jaipur?
A: Yes. One-way rental costs ₹2,000–5,000 extra.
Q: Are there EV charging stations?
A: Delhi–Jaipur has some. Udaipur and Jodhpur are limited. Stick to petrol/diesel for now.
Q: What to pack for winter?
A: Light woolens (15–20°C), good walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, scarf for temples.
Q: Visa for foreigners?
A: Yes, tourist visa. E-visa available for 160+ countries, processed in 72 hours.
That's it. That's the trip. Pack light, drive safe, and let Rajasthan surprise you.
