20 Best Road Trips In India Every Traveller Must Take At Least Once In Their Lifetime

When it comes to travelling, nothing compares to exploring places via roads and hitting the highways. There is not much of a preparation required and it gives you a first hand experience of a place unlike a train or a flight where you are at a distance and bound by it. The experience of starting at the comfort of your own time, making halts whenever you want to, enjoying local food at unexplored places and not to forget, stopping to take pictures wherever you feel like, are some of the many perks of a road trip.

And in a country like India, there are unlimited roads that lead to countless beautiful destinations. Then, there are those roads that not only lead to such destinations, but take you through an amazing journey on the way. Finally, there are those roads which are taken for the sheer experience of the journey more than the destination.

We bring you a compilation of few such roads which will leave you with unforgettable memories of the journey, even more than the place they lead to.

1. Manali – Leh

A traveler’s first love, this route covers a distance of about 479 kms and is open during summers till the month of October. Experience the mighty Himalayas like never before and realise why this is totally trip worth it! Pass through valleys and soak in the sight of amazing landscapes and snow clad mountains all through. It is advised to cover this thrilling journey over two days to get acclimatized.

2. Old Silk Route/Silk Road

This age old trade route between traders which connected the East and the West, still maintains its charm. This route connects Tibet (Lhasa) to India through the Jelep La Pass in Sikkim. The best time to explore this route is from May to December as during rest of the months the valley is covered in snow.

Starting at Gangtok (Sikkim), you can witness the sheer beauty of Menmecho Lake and Mandakini Lake along with sightings of Mt. Kanchenjunga. From Thambi View Point you can see the continous winding roads of this route and finally reach Nathang Valley.

3. Manali – Shimla

A personal favourite, we discovered this route fortuitously and were we surprised or what! Going up the hills, well maintained roads alongside the gushing waters of Beas river are soon replaced by narrower roads on a different set of hills, rich in scenic beauty all around. The distance covered is around 250 kms and you are transported from one heavenly place to another!

4. Shillong – Cherrapunji

An almost 2 hour journey, you not only experience the serenity in the environment, but also behold amazing sights of waterfalls, quaint villages, caves and amazing landscapes. It is one of the shortest and most scenic drives of this country which are not so heard about.

5. Mussoorie – Dhanaulti

If you reside in north India and have been a regular at this hill station, you already know about this drive! Another personal favourite, this one is also a short drive of about 1.5 – 2 hours in the state of Uttarakhand.

The roads are well maintained and wide enough. Although there is nothing much to see in Dhanaulti except for the Eco Park, the drive is what makes it special. On a clear day one can even catch a glimpse of snow clad Himalayas far away.

6. Rishikesh – Neelkanth Mahadev Temple (Pauri Garhwal District, Uttarakhand)

Continuing with the trend of listing favourites, this one is a hidden gem. A route not many are familiar with, it starts from Rishikesh and takes you 32 kms along the river Ganga towards the Neelkanth Temple.

The drive is mesmerising as you travel on winding roads with the hills on one side and the Ganges on the other. On the way, you can stop by and hike a few metres down to the river. There are many such spots which remain untouched and unspoiled.

7. Mumbai – Pune

One of the most popular drives in India, Mumbai – Pune Expressway is a 2 and a half hour drive and will surely leave you spellbound with its scenic views of the Western Ghats and a plethora of waterfalls on the way. It is a 6 lane expressway and is mostly frequented by Mumbaikars who want to take a break for the city’s pollution, chaos and busy life.

8. Puri – Konark

Driving through lush green trees on both sides of the road, which eventually form a roof atop the road for a long stretch, this road is sheer beauty. You will be tempted to get out of the car and take pictures of the canopies formed by the trees around the road. It is a short drive of around 36 kms and can be covered in an hour or so.

9. Pamban Bridge

A super short drive of about 20 minutes, it can give you memories of a lifetime! Imagine driving above a wide expanse of water – this birdge gives you an experience like no other. This bridge, built alongside the Pamban Rail Bridge, connects the NH 49 to the Rameshwaram islands.

10. Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur)

Spells out urban all the way, this triangle is formed when you travel from Delhi to Agra followed by Jaipur and then finally back to Delhi. As weird as it sound, it is highly popular among people residing in NCR as it not only lets you experience the cultural changes of three different states in one holiday but also the well maintained highway is amazingly equipped with eateries along the way, ensuring a comfortable drive.

11. Gangtok – Lake Tsomgo – Nathu La Pass

The eastern side of Indian mostly remains unharmed by the commercialization of tourism and therefore, retains its charm and magnifique beauty. Explore this 55 kms journey on road and experience the thrill of riding on hilly roads at high altitude surrounded by exceptional beauty of mountains and Tsomgo Lake.

12. Guwahati – Tawang

This 14 hour drive on NH 52 and NH 229 is sheer grandeur! Climb uphill on scenic winding roads, leading to an even better sight as you go up, gorging on authentic Tibetan food on the way at the roadside stalls. You’ll be left awestruck at the richness of nature with breathtaking views of snow clad eastern Himalayas. However, this route should be avoided in winters as the roads might be blocked due to snow.

13. Kolkata – Digha

This three-hour journey is a favourite among people residing in and around Kolkata. The road is well maintained for a smooth drive, showing you a variety of landscapes on the way such as lush green patches and spectacular sea side. The graduality of changes in the landscape can make everyone turn into photographers!

14. Chennai – Pondicherry

One of the most beautiful road trips that you can ever take in this diverse country. This 3 hour journey cover around 160kms and takes you along the Bay of Bengal on the beautiful East Coast Road only to leave you mesmerized! There are plenty of road side dhabas on the way where you can stop to have a happy meal. The road traverses Mahabalipuram, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and many other places worth stopping at.

15. Visakhapatnam – Araku Valley

A drive brimming with waterfalls, winding roads, lush green valleys, the Eastern Ghats overlooking the Bay of Bengal side by side and coffee plantations all around, its scenic beauty makes it an unforgettable drive. The distance covered on this route is around 114 kms and takes you via the Borra Caves and Tatipudi Reservoir adding to the beauty and adventure of the journey.

16. Bandipur Forest route

If you are traveling to Ooty from Bangalore or Mysore, you will come across this beautiful stretch of the Bandipur Forest. One of the best drives to unwind amidst the lush yet calm greens surrounding the highway, it surely will leave you rejuvenated and refreshed down to the soul!

Pass through the serenity of the forest, looking out for deers around and enjoying the drive/ride, only to be welcomed by scenic landscape laden with mountains, tea plantations, lakes and waterfalls.

17. Ahmedabad – Diu

Since it is Gujarat, you know the drive is going to be amazing as the road are in perfect shape! Hit the road starting from the largest city of Gujarat, Ahmedabad and travel for around 7 hours to reach the beach destination of Diu, surrounded by plenty of eating joints on the way.

18. Chennai – Yelagiri

This 4 and a half hour drive is bliss for bikers as it houses a whole lot of bends and curves on the hills for those bike-riding-thrills! While on this route, witness scenic landscapes of hills, forests, orchards and lush green surroundings.

19. Towards Goa

The routes that lead to Goa are no doubt the most popular and most scenic in this country, be it from Mumbai or Bangalore. While the road from Mumbai provides you with a unique scenic setting of the Western Ghats, paddy fields and coconut plantations; the route from Bangalore gradually changes between various landscapes over a 10 hour drive.

20. Towards Kutch

Another route that lets leave you spellbound as you get closer to the destination is this one. Whether you are travelling from Mumbai (620 kms) or Ahmedabad (272 kms), the gradual transition of a colorful landscape into a spectacularly white landscape is surely one of the rare sights on this planet! The roads that lead to Kutch are comfortable and laden with many roadside eateries.

There are still many routes in this country that can take your breath away and many still, which remain unexplored. While some routes have become so popular that they have evolved and commercialised according to the tourism. There are others which are off-beat and retain their indigenous and unique nature. It all depends on you, what you want to explore and head to!

Also read- 15 Beautiful Train Routes In India One Should Experience Once In Life