Top 10 Enjoyable Drives in India

National Highway 17, Drive from Mumbai to Goa

The 582 km stretch, Mumbai to Goa is a must trying trip. National Highway 17 connects Panvel, near Mumbai to Kochi, passing through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala and Karnataka. NH 17, also known as Mumbai-Goa Highway in Maharashtra, is the 7th longest highway in India with 1,296 km. The NH 17 passes through forests, hills, rivulets, rivers and streams generally flowing westwards towards Arabian Sea. Most of region is dotted with coconut trees along with paddy fields and arecanut gardens. The building of National Highway 17 has led to rapid development of towns and cities along the highway, which is the best part of NH17.

Mumbai Pune Expressway

Mumbai Pune Expressway connects Mumbai with Pune and is considered as a delight for the drivers. It’s a very enjoyable drive as the smooth road passes through the beautiful and spectacular Sahyadri mountain ranges via passes and tunnels. Apart form these the expressway has reduced the travel time between the cities of Mumbai and Pune to approximately two hours. The expressway starts at Kalamboli (near Panvel) and ends at Dehu Rd. (near Pune). During monsoon the drive becomes all the more pleasurable as this route becomes absolutely spectacular with abundant greenery and several waterfalls on the way. Vast number of tunnels adds to the excitement of driving through this 93 km expressway.

National Expressway 1, Drive from Vadodara to Ahmedabad

National Expressway 1, also known as The Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway is a major artery of public transport connecting the cities of Ahmedabad and Vadodara. It is also one of the most enjoyable drives of India making you happy to be seated in the driver’s seat. The road is flat, fast and smooth. The 95 km long expressway reduces the travel time between the two cities and no wonder it is also one of the best roads in India.

Drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer through the Deserts

300 odd km drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer can be trip of the lifetime. Meandering through the difficult terrains and the sand dunes requires significant driving skills. You will be surprised to see the rapid changing sparse population on the way. You may get tempted to get off the highway and climb the sand dunes to get a feel of the deserts.

Chennai Pondicherry East Coast Road

The East Coast Road, a 113 km highway in Tamil Nadu, built along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, connects Chennai with Pondicherry. This is also one of the roads a driver will love to drive through and a hording on the way add up to the excitement which says “Sometimes the road becomes the destination”. The road wind its way along the Bay of Bengal on the left which glistens with the rays of sunlight. East Coast Road is dotted with series of luxury resorts, food joints, tourist spots and places on interest and adventure sport arenas. ECR has earned the reputation of a ‘potpourri highway’.

Leh – Manali Highway

The 475 km long Leh-Manali National Highway connects Leh and Manali. It is open only between June and mid-September when snow is cleared from the road. This spectacular though dangerous road passes some of the highest mountain passes in the world which includes Tanglang La, Lachulung La, Rohtang La, Baralacha La. You will notice a drastic change in the cesnaru as you head towards Ladakh from Himachal Pradesh. A drive in this road with barren lands and high terrain will give loads of enjoyment, bliss and excitement to individuals who love adventure. Driving through Leh Manali Highway is an experience of its kind. Leh-Manali Highway was designed, built, constructed and maintained by the Indian Army and is well capable of supporting heavy vehicles.

Drive from Tezpur to Tawang

A drive from Tezpur in Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh takes around 350 km. This 12 hour journey is a delight for the eyes and blended with fear and adventure. High ranges, sharp bends, streams between the ridges, rivulets running alongside the road, dead ends, thick fog, all make the journey outstanding experience. On the way to Tawang the road passes through Bomdilla, Dhirang, with Sela Pass and an ancient dong fort. Just check out the hairy Yaks grazing on the lush green vegetation.

Drive from Chalakudy( Kerala) to Valparai( Tamil Nadu)

Probably, the most beautiful route in South India crossing the Western Ghats is the Chalakudy to Valpara route. It’s a narrow road through the thick evergreen, and deciduous forests, covering more than 100 attractive tourist spots, waterfalls, dams, lofty peaks, wild animals and much more. It’s a complete cross section traversal through the Western Ghats from west to east. The 110 km stretch passing via Athirapalli, Sholayar, Peringalkuthu and Malakkiparai, the highest tea estates in India, has some of the densest green jungles in India. Keep your eyes open for elephants and other wild life species as you can expect your drive to be one of the adventurous drives of your life. For most of us Athirapally waterfalls is the end of that road but further ahead you have many other places to visit.

Drive from Mysore to Ooty

Driving from Mysore to Ooty is another enjoyable drive as it will take you through some of the scenic and mesmerizing spots. After reaching the historic Shrirangapattana and then Gundlupet, another 10 km of the road takes you to the Bhandipur National Park, one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries of India. Spot elephants, deers, cats and some of the rare and exotic species of fauna here. Then as you ascent from Masinagudi Ghats heading towards the Nilgiris, the road with 36 sharp bends offer spectacular views.

Drive from Chandigarh to Manali, NH21

National Highway 21 (NH 21) is a national highway in Northern India connecting Chandigarh with Manali in Himachal Pradesh. A drive from Chandigarh to Manali is an amazing stretch covering a distance of 320 km approximately. Heading out from Chandigarh you would be amidst the densely wooded Shivaliks. You will be enthralled with the view of the greenery from your car window. From midway start the wonderful rivers, curves and the spectacular streams. The Mandi to Manali leg of the drive is awesome as the road wanders along the River Beas up to Manali. Check out the apple orchards before Manali and you will find a delightful sight.