Friends, the fun of a road trip is something else! Travelling by car or bike on the open road, seeing new beautiful places on the way, tasting hot tea and parathas at the dhabas – all these memories stay with you for a lifetime. Although every state in India has its flavour, travelling on different routes gives you different experiences. In this blog, I will tell you which are the best road trip routes, what difficulties can come in their way, and how to make them easier. Let’s get started!

Know these things before starting the journey

Before going on a road trip, keep some basic things in mind, so that the journey is fun and comfortable. First of all, plan the route – which places to pass through, how much distance to cover, how much time it will take. Get your car or bike serviced, check the tire pressure, brakes and lights properly. Keep an emergency kit with you – power bank, torch, spare tire, first-aid, some snacks and water. Also keep an eye on the weather, change the timing if there is rain or fog. And yes, be a little patient and keep a music playlist ready – because when you go out on unknown roads humming songs openly, the journey will be more fun than expected.

1. Mumbai to Goa (less than 600 km)

Why special?

• Sea views: Winding sea road amidst greenery, glimpse of the beach, and cool breeze on the beach – the perfect combination.

• The fun of the dhabas: Bullion, decoration, Chinese, and hot tea in winters.

Route Preparation

• Route: Mumbai → Pune (This falls in Boston Hills area) → Solapur → Bangalore-Mumbai Highway → Ratnagiri → Goa

• Traffic Timings: Heavy traffic near Pune around 7-9 am, so leave early.

Places to stop:

• Petrol-check and breakfast at “Khind Mitra” outside Pune

• C-Place Dhaba or small samosa stall in Ratnagiri

Possible Problems and Solutions

• Traffic Jam: The Morning before the station shifting and Tirupati.

• Advice: Check the latest updates on digital maps (Google/Ola).

• Tyre Puncture: Especially in smaller towns

• Advice: Keep a spare tyre, jack, and lamp with you.

2. Delhi to Leh-Ladakh (1200+ km)

Why special?

Altitude, views of the snow capped Himalayas, tiny remote villages – every turn is a delight!

• Khardung La Pass: The highest motorable road in the world.

• Panamik Lake: Blue waters, forts, and tea houses all around.

Route Preparation

• Route: Delhi → Jaipur → Ajmer → Udaipur → Aligarh-Churu → Srinagar → Kargil → Leh

• Additional Preparation: To avoid altitude sickness

• Tip: Stay at least one night in Srinagar or Kargil before Leh, and take plenty of Pedialyte.

• Fuel Point: Make sure to visit petrol stations in Kargil and Leh.

Possible Complications and Solutions

• Altitude sickness: Headache, dehydration

• Tip: Drink plenty of water, eat light food, and carry zinc supplements.

• Slippery Roads: A road full of rocks is never good.

• Advice: Ride (even without panniers is fine), reduce overtaking.

3. Shimla to Manali (250 km)

Why special? 

Punjabi parathas, cool Himachal breeze, sheesham and pine trees. Small roads that seem straight but have fun turns.

• Malana, Kasauli: Small villages on the way, culture, and local food.

Trip Preparation

• Route: Shimla → Solan → Kalka-Shimla Highway Cross → Sarahan → Manali

• Places to stay:

“Cafe Valley” in Sarahan – Experience the modern-rural combination.

“Dholidhar Cafe” outside Manali – Local Himachali roti and dal-rice.

Possible difficulties and solutions

• Heavy rains (June-July) → Landslides

• Advice: Avoid going out in heavy rains, and take updates from residents.

• Narkit Vegetables and Power Cuts

• Tip: Need a power bank and torch, buy a small battery pack from the local grocery store.

4. Kolkata to Darjeeling (600 km)

Why special? 

Morning black tea at the coffee house, buffet chocolate sandwiches, and a clinical distance of a toy train to the top of the hill.

• Mahabali Hill: From where Mount Kanchenjunga is visible.

Preparation for the route

• Route: Kolkata → Siliguri (NH27) → New Jalpaiguri → Darjeeling Toy Train

• Places to stay:

• “Delhi Hotel” in New Jalpaiguri – simple but clean, good food.

• “Bakery at Nomade” near Darjeeling Hill Station Main Market – Swiss-style cakes.

Possible difficulties and solutions

• Altitude confusion: about 2,000 m

• Tip: Take it easy on the first day of reaching Darjeeling, do light walks.

• Rain and fog

• Advice: Check windshield wipers, keep high beam/low beam handy.

5. Chennai to Coonoor (650 km)

Why special?

The contrast of Tamil Nadu’s heat and Kerala’s sudden cool greenery – a completely different experience!

• Kottamangalam Beach: White sand, coconut trees, calm sea.

• Ernakulam → Munnar: Tea plantations, lush green hills.

Trip Preparation

• Route: Chennai → Visakhapatnam → Vizianagaram → Enclave → Munnar → Coonoor

• Places to stay:

• “Shorebeat Cafe” in Visakhapatnam – seafood and beach-front vibe.

• “Tea-boot Cafe” near Munnar – tea tasting, breakfast in tea gardens.

Possible problems and solutions

• Long journey: 12-14 hours drive

• Advice: Take two to three breaks on the way. Stock up on cold water, chocolates, fruits, etc.

• General advice: Hilly roads often require driving at slow speeds.

• Advice: Get the car’s brake pads repaired before leaving, and learn to drive in gear.

6. Jaipur to Udaipur (400 km)

Why special?

Rajasthani palaces, roads reminiscent of the desert, and lakes of the water city of Udaipur.

• Same railway stop: Safari of the dunes at night.

• Bhosari Lake Road: A Small temple built in the middle and a tea-dhaba.

Preparation for the way

• Route: Jaipur → Bijalpur → Bari → Udaipur

• Places to stay:

• “Rajwada Dhaba” in Bijalpur – Dharamveer Thali, Lassi.

• “Lake Palace View” on reaching Udaipur – view of the palace floating in the lake.

Possible problems and solutions

• Heat: Temperature up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer.

• Advice: Leave at 5-6 am, stay till 5 pm. Spend time in AC in dhabas.

• Sand and dust

• Advice: Keep earplugs and a napkin mask with you.

7. Hyderabad to Godavari Valley (320 km)

Why special?

After the hustle and bustle of urban life in Telangana, suddenly get lost in the greenery of nature – Devapatla Valley, mountain waterfalls, and local chicken-bhature.

Route preparation

• Route: Hyderabad → Raipur → Khammam → Nizamabad → Devapata Valley

• Places to stay:

• “Local hotels” in Khammam – Split Dam, Kachchi Roti-Chutney.

• “Mini resorts” in the valley – local style houses, spicy food.

Possible difficulties and solutions

• Rocky roads

• Tip: Carry good grip tyres, spare parts.

• Net connectivity

• Tip: Save offline maps, and ask locals for directions.

Bonus Tips

Carry essentials:

• Spare tyre, jack, toolkit

• Power bank and torch

• Water bottles and snacks (namkeen, chocolates, fruits)

Digital assistance:

• Google Maps or offline OpenStreetMaps

• Instagram/WhatsApp groups for local traffic updates

Safety:

• Helmet (for bikes) and seatbelt (in the car)

• First aid kit – painkillers, potassium chloride, band-aid

Enjoy local food:

• Try local dhabas and street food wherever you stop.

• Keep a water bottle with you.

Flexible schedule:

• Plan unexpected breaks and picnics along the way.

• Timings may change according to the weather.

Also Read: How to Go Kedarnath: A Complete Travel Guide

Conclusion

The real fun of a road trip lies on the way – dust, traffic jams, local conversations at dhabas, and unknown roads that lead straight to a new adventure. India has a variety of sights, choose your favourite route, play music, go out with friends or family, and enjoy to the fullest. The tips and routes mentioned in this blog will make your trip a little easier and memorable. Now start the engine, change the gear, and get going – because the real story is written on the road!

FAQs About The Best Road Trip In India