Wow! It’s been 3 months that we have been home because of the Covid-19 lockdown. And as the restrictions are beginning to lift, we are getting excited and are already planning our first trip after the lockdown.
Now, we know it won’t be possible for a few more months but planning a trip makes me all happy and giddy, so we are planning away. And I am sure a lot of you are planning too. We are just counting down the days until we are all allowed to travel again, with all the necessary precautions of course.
And we totally understand that international travel has changed so much and that we won’t be going to any international trips this year, unless there is a cure of course.
But that means more focus on domestic travel. And we are so excited for that. Because there is so much so see in our beautiful country and so much to explore. And I think a few months from now would be a perfect time for domestic travel.
Now, we have all seen the affects travel industry causes on the environment and that’s why we highly recommend that whenever we go back to travelling, we do so in a more responsible and sustainable way. Here is how you can be more sustainable as a traveller.
And if you can’t wait for the next few months, here is how you can travel from the comfort of your home.
We think post Covid-19, people will focus more on road trips. And that’s why we wanted to bring you the best road trips to take in India. Hope these will inspire the wanderlust in you and keep your travel spirit alive 🙂
COMING onto Road trips:
1.MUMBAI-GOA: DIL CHAHTA HAI
Distance: 597 Km
Time: 11-12 hrs
Best time to visit: October-March
Recommended Duration of stay: 5 days
No post about best road trips in India can ever be complete about the Mumbai-Goa route, so why not start with it. The beautiful road trip takes on some of the best views of the Konkan ghats. And your final destination would be Goa.
Goa is a paradise for adventure seekers or people who are just looking for a relaxed vacation. It is definitely our go-to. The National highway NH44 Mumbai-Kolhapur – Goa highway is pretty well maintained and it takes around 11 hours.
However, we highly recommend you take a turn from Nipani if you wish to go through the Amboli ghats, which are a MUST visit, especially during monsoons. It is also the route you should take if you plan to visit north Goa.
Here are our Favourite beaches to visit in Goa
Goa: A slice of paradise
And if you are interested in off beat things to do in Goa, then this is the guide for you.
2.Manali -Leh:Every traveler’s bucket list
Distance: 473
Time: 11 hrs 30 mins
Best time to visit: March-May, August-October
Recommended Duration of stay: 5 Days
Manali to leh is one of those road trips that is on every traveler’s bucket list and it totally deserves to be there.Although any road trip in the Himalayas is guaranteed to have beautiful views, this one is extremely special. Winding road surrounded by snow capped mountains on all sides and driving on some of the highest motorable roads in India is quite a unique one.
Now, the roads aren’t that great, which is understandable, but the views make up for the discomfort. Take this trip and drive through the small villages and some of the most scenic views you have ever seen.
3.DELhi-JAIPUR: For a quick getaway
Distance: 280 Kms
Time: 5 hrs
Best time to visit: October to March
Recommended Duration of stay: 3 Days
Delhi- Jaipur is perfect for a quick getaway from Delhi NCR. Driving on NH8 is a great experience as well and one can really enjoy the drive as the scenery changes once you enter Rajasthan. Jaipur is also a place that you could visit multiple times and you will end up exploring something new. Because there is so much to see in Jaipur.
Related: Jaipur: Instagram guide to Jaipur
It is one of the tastiest drives as well. 😛 On NH8 there are various Dhabas that serve the most delicious lassi and we make sure to stop along the way to enjoy some at Highway king or Rajshree resort (on your way back from Jaipur) .
If you stop there you should also try the stuffed tandoori paranthas that are served with white home-made butter.
3. Chennai to Pondicherry:Eastern Coastal expressway
Distance: 150 Kms
Time: 3 hrs
Best time to visit: October-March
Recommended Duration of stay: 3 days
Imagine driving on an expressway with sea on your side and breathtaking views throughout your journey. That’s what you get as you drive from Chennai to Pondicherry. And your end destination is again quite an experience in itself. With so many cafes and old Portuguese architecture, Pondicherry is a treat to travellers
4. Chandigarh- Shimla
Distance: 112 Kms
Time: 3 Hrs 20 Mins
Best time to visit: September- June
Recommended Duration of stay: 3 Days
Shimla is one of those places that almost every north Indian visited in their summer vacations when they were kids. It has so many memories associated with it. And it is that one place that you keep going back to, no matter how many times you have been there.
The feeling of enjoying a soft serve on the ridge or enjoying boiled corn while watching the sun set over the Himalayas is magical.
5. Delhi-Agra
Distance: 233 Kms
Time: 4 Hrs
Best time to visit: September-March
Recommended Duration of stay: 2 Days
Driving on the Yamuna express way is fun in its own. And you get to see one of the wonders of the world. And there is so much to see in Agra as well. And the fact that it only takes 3 hours or so, is an added bonus.
6. Pune to Lavassa:
Distance: 60 Kms
Time: 2 Hrs
Best time to visit: July-March
Recommended Duration of stay: 1 day or day trip
One of our absolute favourite road trips to take around Pune. The winding roads take you through various Maharashtrian village and you get a glimpse into the village life as well. As soon as you leave the city, you will find yourself surrounder by fields all around. The roads aren’t that great though. But it isn’t unpleasant.
And Lavassa is a beautiful place to visit near Pune. It looks especially beautiful during the monsoon season. There are various adventure sports etc in Lavassa as well, if that’s your jam.
Make sure to stop for corn on the cob at Temghar Dam which in en-route Lavassa, to enjoy corn on the cob or a cup of tea with onion fritters.
7. Dehradun to Nainital:
Distance: 282 Kms
Time: 7 Hrs 20 Mins
Best time to visit: September- June
Recommended Duration of stay: 2-3 Days
Both Nainital and Dehradun are beautiful places and the drive along the winding mountain roads is an added bonus. Take this scenic drive from one mountain destination to another. It is perfect for summers on the road!
8. Bangalore to Coorg:
Distance: 268 Kms
Time: 5 Hrs 30 Mins
Best time to visit: All year
Recommended Duration of stay: 3 Days
Coorg is one of those places that will make you want to come back for more. So perfectly in nature’s lap, it makes for a great place to relax as well as for adventure seekers. And the journey from Bangalore to Coorg is equally beautiful.
9. Guwhati to Tawang:
Distance: 518 Kms
Time: 15 hrs
Best time to visit: March-June & Sept- October
Recommended Duration of stay: 5 Days
This route has everything that can be expected from a road trip in the north east. It is challenging, the road are winding and the views are absolutely breath-taking. And the vistas change every few minutes and you will want to get down and click lots of photos, we are sure.
9. Kochi to Munnar:
Distance: 126 Kms
Time: 4 Hrs
Best time to visit: September-March
Recommended Duration of stay: 3 Days
It is one of those road trips that relaxes you in ways you didn’t even know you needed. The winding roads and the amazing views and numerous waterfalls along the way add to the charm. At some places along the road, the jungle is so dense, you will definitely get safari vibes. And the vast tea fields in Munnar are a perfect way to relax and get lost in.
10. Munnar to Thekaddy: Not for the faint-hearted
Distance: 85 Kms
Time: 3 Hrs
Best time to visit: October-February
Recommended Duration of stay: 2 Days
It is easily one of the best road trips we have ever taken in India. now, the roads aren’t great, but the views make up for it. Through out the drive, you will go through various small villages and dense jungles crossing rivers on bridges that are too small to fit just one car. It is such an adventure and we highly recommend this one. While in Thekkady, make sure to check out Periyar wildlife sanctuary.
11. Shimla to Spiti:
Distance: 414 Kms
Time: 11 Hrs 20 Mins
Best time to visit: June-September
Recommended Duration of stay: 5-7 Days
If you want to take a trip for the sake of taking a road trip, this is the one to go for. the roads are not the great but they aren’t that difficult to drive on, either. And even though the distance may be small and google maps tell you it will take 14 hours, it will definitely take longer. This is one of those trips that you should take only if you have the time on your hands to really enjoy the road trip.
12. Bangalore to Bandipur forest:
Distance: 212 Kms
Time: 4 Hrs 30 Mins
Best time to visit: July-September
Recommended Duration of stay: 1 Day
This is one of those road-trips that is on every traveller’s list. And if it’s not on yours, it definitely deserves to be. The road goes through the Bandipur forest and is quite a scenic one. Just make sure, you are not speeding as animals tend to cross sometimes. It like going on your own personal safari through the forest.
13. Gangtok to Lake Tsongmo:
Distance: 40 Kms
Time: 1 hr 20 mins
Best time to visit:March-June
Recommended Duration of stay: Day trip
This is one of the less explored road trips but a beautiful one nonetheless. The roads are again not that well maintained but the views are well worth it. And lake tsongmo is absolute stunning both in summers as well as winters.
14. Vishakhapatnam to Araku Valley:
Distance: 114 Kms
Time: 3 Hrs 15 mins
Best time to visit: December-February
Recommended Duration of stay: 2 Days
Araku valley is all about natural beauty at it’s finest. From all possible shades of green, to misty clouds, rolling hills, it has everything. The roads are beautiful with numerous hair pin curves, but the views will take your breath away. There are also various treks in the region if you want to go trekking.
15. Mumbai to Kutch: In the middle of nowhere
Distance: 928 Kms
Time: 16-17 Hrs
Best time to visit: October-February
Recommended Duration of stay: 2 Days
This is one of the best roads to take a road trip on, in India. It is so well maintained. And when you start from Mumbai you go through beautiful sahyadris along the expressway. And the best thing about this road trip is the stark contrast between the two places. Mumbai with its hustle and bustle and Rann of Kutch, in the middle of nowhere with no civilisation to seen for miles.
16. Bagdogra to Darjeeling:
Distance: 70 Kms
Time: 2 Hrs 30 mins
Best time to visit: April-June & October-January
Recommended Duration of stay: 3Days
It is one of those road trips where you will right in nature’s lap. Beautiful scenic meadows stretched as far as your eyes can see as you drive through tea plantations. The curvy roads, with lush greenery all around and numerous waterfalls makes it one of the most scenic road trips that you will take.
17. Jaipur to Udaipur: One Royalty to another
Distance: 393 Kms
Time: 7 Hrs
Best time to visit: October- March
Recommended Duration of stay: 3 Days
It is again a very famous road trip, but not because of the greenery. Definitely not because of the greenery. Rajasthan has great roads between the major tourist cities and the one between Jaipur and Udaipur is no different. You will get to experience the vastness of the desert. And there is such a lovely contrast between Jaipur and Udaipur that you will definitely enjoy.
Checkout our guide to Jaipur here.
And our guide to Udaipur here.
These are some of the best road trips to take in India. Do let us know which ones you have already been on and which of these are on your bucket list?
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