Best Road Trips in India: The Ultimate Travel Guide
Introduction
India is a land of breathtaking diversity—from snow-capped mountains in the north and deserts in the west to lush backwaters in the south and dense forests in the east. A road trip lets you explore these regions at your own pace, discover hidden gems, and immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine.
Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, a family, or a group of friends, there’s a road trip for everyone. This guide covers the best road trips in India, scenic routes, adventure trails, offbeat journeys, practical tips, and suggested itineraries.
Pro Tip: For a comfortable road trip, you can explore our premium car rental options and enjoy luxury travel across India.
Why Road Trips in India Are So Popular
- Freedom and Flexibility: Stop anywhere to explore towns, markets, and attractions.
- Diverse Landscapes: Mountains, deserts, beaches, rivers, forests.
- Cultural Experiences: Interact with locals, taste regional cuisine, witness festivals.
- Adventure Opportunities: Trekking, camping, river rafting, paragliding, wildlife spotting.
Types of Road Trips:
- Scenic road trips in India
- Adventure road trips in India
- Weekend road trips in India
- Luxury road trips in India
- Offbeat road trips in India
Top Road Trips in India by Region
1. Northern India
Delhi → Manali / Shimla
- Distance & Time: Delhi → Manali ~550 km (12–14 hrs); Delhi → Shimla ~350 km (7–8 hrs)
- Route: Delhi → Ambala → Chandigarh → Bilaspur → Mandi → Manali
- Suggested Stops: Ambala (breakfast), Chandigarh (Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake), Mandi (lunch, scenic views)
- Overnight Stays: Kullu/Manali
- Highlights: Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Mall Road, Hidimba Temple
- Activities: Paragliding, skiing, trekking, river rafting
- Best Season: April–June & September–November
- Travel Tips: Start early; check Rohtang Pass permit; carry cash for tolls
Travel Tip: Book a luxury taxi service from Delhi for a comfortable journey to Manali or Shimla.
Delhi → Rishikesh / Haridwar
- Distance & Time: ~240 km (~5–6 hrs)
- Route: Delhi → Meerut → Muzaffarnagar → Haridwar → Rishikesh
- Suggested Stops: Meerut (snacks/coffee), Haridwar (Ganga Aarti)
- Overnight Stays: Rishikesh / Haridwar
- Highlights: Yoga retreats, river rafting, Neer Garh Waterfalls
- Best Season: February–May & September–November
- Travel Tips: Book rafting activities in advance; weekends are crowded
Tip: Ideal for group travel? Check out Tempo Traveller rentals for families or friends.
Chandigarh → Spiti Valley (Offbeat)
- Distance & Time: ~400 km (~10–12 hrs)
- Route: Chandigarh → Kaza → Key Monastery → Kibber → Chandratal Lake
- Suggested Stops: Kaza (overnight), Kibber Village (cultural interaction, photography)
- Highlights: Chandratal Lake, Key Monastery, high-altitude desert landscapes
- Best Season: June–September
- Travel Tips: Carry warm clothes; check road conditions; fuel up before remote areas
Leh → Pangong Lake → Nubra Valley
- Distance & Time: ~300–400 km
- Highlights: Himalayan landscapes, monasteries, Pangong Lake
- Activities: Jeep safari, camping, photography
- Best Season: June–September
- Travel Tips: Carry altitude sickness medication; permits required for certain areas
2. Western India
Mumbai → Goa (Konkan Coast Drive)
- Distance & Time: ~590 km (~12–14 hrs)
- Route: Mumbai → Panvel → Ratnagiri → Ganpatipule → Goa
- Suggested Stops: Panvel (breakfast), Ratnagiri (seafood, sightseeing), Ganpatipule (temple, beach)
- Overnight Stays: Goa (North or South Goa)
- Highlights: Beaches, forts, waterfalls, local cuisine
- Best Season: November–February
- Travel Tips: Start early; drive carefully along Konkan ghats
Tip: Opt for a luxury taxi from Mumbai for a smooth Konkan drive experience.
Jaipur → Jaisalmer
- Distance & Time: ~560 km (~9–10 hrs)
- Route: Jaipur → Bikaner → Jaisalmer
- Suggested Stops: Bikaner (Junagarh Fort, lunch), Pokhran (desert photography)
- Overnight Stays: Jaisalmer (desert camp)
- Highlights: Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer Fort, Havelis
- Best Season: October–March
- Travel Tips: Carry sunscreen and water; desert nights are cold
Pro Tip: Hire a Luxury Taxi for Rajasthan road trips for comfort during desert drives.
Udaipur → Mount Abu → Kumbhalgarh
- Distance & Time: Udaipur → Mount Abu 150 km (~3 hrs), Mount Abu → Kumbhalgarh 85 km (~2 hrs)
- Route: Udaipur → Mount Abu → Kumbhalgarh → Udaipur
- Suggested Stops: Mount Abu (Nakki Lake, overnight), Kumbhalgarh (fort exploration)
- Highlights: Dilwara Temples, Kumbhalgarh Fort, scenic viewpoints
- Best Season: October–March
- Travel Tips: Wear comfortable shoes; plan 2 nights for a relaxed trip
3. Southern India
Bangalore → Coorg → Ooty
- Distance & Time: Bangalore → Coorg 260 km (~5–6 hrs), Coorg → Ooty 250 km (~6 hrs)
- Route: Bangalore → Mysore → Coorg → Ooty
- Suggested Stops: Mysore (Mysore Palace), Madikeri (Abbey Falls, coffee plantations)
- Overnight Stays: Coorg / Ooty
- Highlights: Hill stations, plantations, waterfalls
- Best Season: June–September (monsoon), November–February (pleasant weather)
- Travel Tips: Roads are winding; drive carefully
Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey
- Distance & Time: Kochi → Munnar 130 km (~4 hrs), Munnar → Thekkady 90 km (~3 hrs), Thekkady → Alleppey 140 km (~4 hrs)
- Route: Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey
- Suggested Stops: Munnar (tea plantations), Thekkady (Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary)
- Overnight Stays: Munnar / Thekkady / Alleppey (houseboat)
- Highlights: Tea gardens, wildlife safaris, backwater cruises
- Best Season: September–March
- Travel Tips: Book houseboats in advance; carry rain gear
Tip: Use Luxury Taxi services for a comfortable Kerala road trip.
Hyderabad → Hampi → Badami → Pattadakal (Cultural Route)
- Distance & Time: Hyderabad → Hampi 350 km (~7 hrs), Hampi → Badami 140 km (~3 hrs), Badami → Pattadakal 22 km (~1 hr)
- Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage sites, ancient temples, stone carvings
- Best Season: October–March
- Travel Tips: Wear comfortable shoes; plan at least 3 nights
Tip: For group tours, check Bus & Mini Bus rentals.
4. Eastern & North-Eastern India
Kolkata → Darjeeling → Gangtok
- Distance & Time: Kolkata → Darjeeling 620 km (~15 hrs), Darjeeling → Gangtok 100 km (~4 hrs)
- Route: Kolkata → Siliguri → Darjeeling → Gangtok
- Suggested Stops: Siliguri (breakfast/overnight), Darjeeling (toy train, tea gardens, Tiger Hill sunrise)
- Overnight Stays: Darjeeling / Gangtok
- Highlights: Monasteries, Himalayan views, trekking
- Best Season: March–June & September–November
- Travel Tips: Carry warm clothes; book hotels early
Shillong → Cherrapunji → Mawlynnong → Dawki
- Distance & Time: Shillong → Cherrapunji 55 km (~2 hrs), Cherrapunji → Mawlynnong 90 km (~3 hrs), Mawlynnong → Dawki 35 km (~1 hr)
- Highlights: Living Root Bridges, waterfalls, crystal-clear Dawki river
- Overnight Stays: Cherrapunji / Shillong
- Best Season: September–May
- Travel Tips: Monsoon season ideal for waterfalls; wear waterproof shoes
Bhubaneswar → Chilika Lake → Puri → Konark
- Distance & Time: Bhubaneswar → Chilika 60 km (~1.5 hrs), Chilika → Puri 50 km (~1 hr), Puri → Konark 35 km (~1 hr)
- Highlights: Chilika Lake, Sun Temple, Puri Beach
- Overnight Stays: Puri
- Best Season: October–March
- Travel Tips: Ideal for 2–3 day trip
Must-Visit Stops & Attractions
- Himalayan Hill Stations: Manali, Shimla, Leh, Spiti Valley, Nainital, Mussoorie
- Trekking, paragliding, camping, photography
- Hidden Gems: Chandratal Lake (Spiti), Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass
- Deserts & Forts: Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur
- Camel safari, desert camping, sunset photography
- Hidden Gems: Sam Sand Dunes, Kuldhara village
- Coasts & Beaches: Mumbai → Goa, Ratnagiri, Ganpatipule
- Water sports, seafood, sunset photography
- Tips: Visit beach shacks for authentic cuisine
- Backwaters & Plantations: Munnar, Coorg, Alleppey, Wayanad
- Houseboat cruises, trekking, tea & spice plantation tours
- Cultural & Heritage Sites: Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Puri, Konark
- Temples, ruins, UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Tips: Hire local guides; explore by bicycle for offbeat corners
- North-East & Nature Trails: Darjeeling, Gangtok, Shillong, Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong, Dawki
- Living root bridges, waterfalls, Himalayan trekking, crystal-clear rivers
- Must-Do Experiences:
- Sample local cuisine region-wise
- Stay in offbeat villages & homestays
- Visit scenic viewpoints for sunrise/sunset
- Adventure activities: trekking, paragliding, rafting, wildlife safaris
Pro Tip: Enhance your road trip comfort by booking a luxury taxi or a Tempo Traveller for group travel.
Types of Road Trips in India
- Weekend Trips: Short city escapes
- Adventure Trips: Mountains, deserts, rivers, forests
- Scenic/Coastal Drives: Photography & leisure
- Luxury Trips: High-end vehicles & resorts
- Offbeat Trips: Hidden gems & less-traveled routes
Tips for Planning a Road Trip
- Best seasons: mountains April–June, deserts October–March, coasts November–February
- Vehicle options: self-drive, bikes, luxury taxis, rentals
- Essentials: first-aid, water, snacks, maps, chargers, clothing
- Safety: check vehicle, carry emergency contacts, follow traffic rules
- Accommodation: book ahead in peak season
Itineraries
- 3-Day: Delhi → Shimla → Manali → Return
- 5-Day: Jaipur → Jaisalmer → Udaipur → Jodhpur
- 7-Day: Bangalore → Coorg → Ooty → Kerala Backwaters
- 10-Day Offbeat: Kolkata → Darjeeling → Gangtok → Mawlynnong → Shillong
Conclusion
Road trips in India are the perfect way to experience diverse landscapes, rich culture, local cuisine, and adventure activities. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the hills of Himachal, the backwaters of Kerala to the mountains of North-East India, every route has unique attractions.
Plan your journey, pack smart, explore hidden gems, and create memorable road trip experiences that you’ll cherish forever.
FAQs
Shorter trips like Delhi → Rishikesh/Haridwar, Bangalore → Coorg, or Mumbai → Goa are ideal for first-timers.
Kerala backwaters, Munnar, Coorg, and Meghalaya are lush and scenic in monsoon, but drive carefully.
Yes, if you plan routes, follow traffic rules, avoid night driving in remote areas, and check vehicles.
Absolutely! Choose routes with easier roads, regular amenities, and kid-friendly stops like Shimla, Ooty, or Goa.
April–June and September–November for clear roads, moderate temperatures, and scenic views.
