Destinations

Road trips from Delhi/Gurgaon/Noida

1. Delhi to Garh Mukteshwar (110 km)

At just about 110 km from Delhi, this is the closest point where you can take a bath in the holy Ganges. One of the famous road trips from Delhi, this stretch is also famous for dolphin sighting, but you need a bit of luck on your side to spot them. They are more easily visible when the water level is low, and there is bright sunshine, so early summers (April-May) should be a good time to spot them. Fort Unchagaon is a heritage hotel in Garhmukteshwar, so if you would like to stay luxuriously, you can book a room and stay overnight.

Road condition and driving directions: Take the NH-24 from Ghaziabad and keep driving straight towards Hapur. Take the Hapur bypass to avoid city traffic. The road is in good condition, and the traffic thins once you are past Hapur. Take the road to Birjghat, which is around 10kms from the Garh Mukteshwar city. The ride shouldn’t take more than 2 hours of yours. Dhabas: The small town of Babugarh on the way has plenty of dhabas, with a chain called Shiv Tourist dhabas. There’s a bunch of them, and it’s hard to tell which one is the original, but they are all more or less good.

2. Delhi to Agra (136 km) & Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (223 km)

The Yamuna expressway is probably the best road in the country at present and an absolute must-do for all road trip enthusiasts in Delhi. If you have enough driving stamina, you can visit the Taj Mahal and Bharatpur bird sanctuary and come back to Delhi by late at night.

Road condition and driving directions: You can cover the 180 kms stretch of road in less than 2 hours – the road is just amazing. Take care of the air pressure in your tires – too much heat driving at a fast speed have caused tires of some vehicles to burst, so remember to maintain a lower than normal air pressure. Dhabas: Unfortunately, the expressway has no dhabas at the side, so if you want to stop and eat on the way, you might prefer the old highway (via Palwal), although the driving wouldn’t be as much fun or fast. There are a few eateries on the side of expressway right after each toll. These eateries are good enough to quench your hunger and thirst but don’t have high expectations from the dhabas here.

3. Delhi to Alwar (167 km) + Sariska Tiger Reserve

Sariska, one of the most famous Tiger reserves in the country, along with Alwar, is an interesting short weekend trip from Delhi. Pick a good time to visit – preferably in February/March, when the chances of sighting a tiger are most, and before the weather gets hot enough even to contemplate visiting Rajasthan.

Road condition to Alwar: With the construction of a lot of flyovers abandoned midway, this is not the best of roads for a fast and furious kind of trip, but you can reach Alwar from Delhi easily in under 5 hours. Dhabas: There are a lot of dhabas and restaurants along Delhi-Alwar Road. Even though no particular dhaba is very famous on this route, Pind Balluchi and Haldirams are among standard restaurants which serve good food.

4. Delhi to Rishikesh (238 km)

Located at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Chandrabagha, Rishikesh is one of the holiest and most spiritual places of the Hindus. The raw, scenic beauty of this place makes it an ideal setting for yoga, meditation and adventure sports such as river rafting and trekking. It has pleasant weather throughout the year, but it gets hot there in May-June.

Road condition to Rishikesh: Delhi to Rishikesh by car is a good option for hassle-free travelling. The roads and traffic gets a bit bad once you reach Muzzafarnagar, and it continues till Roorkee. Else, the road conditions are pretty decent. It’s a 6 to 7 hours journey.

Dhabas: Cheetal Restaurant at Khatauli has been a famous stopover point for many years and offers good, hygienic food. One can also try Pandit Dhaba, which offers some really good snacks and tea. Dhabas: Unfortunately, the expressway has no dhabas at the side, so if you want to stop and eat on the way, you might prefer the old highway (via Palwal), although the driving wouldn’t be as much fun or fast. There are a few eateries on the side of expressway right after each toll. These eateries are good enough to quench your hunger and thirst but don’t have high expectations from the dhabas here.

5. Delhi to Chandigarh (244 km)

The most planned city in India, Chandigarh is not only an excellent place to visit on the weekend, but also serves as a base from where you can drive to the hill stations in Himachal Pradesh.

Road condition: Connecting Delhi to the rest of Punjab, the Grand Trunk road is important to the economy, and is in a reasonably good shape.

Dhaba: Sukhdev dhaba at Murthal is one of the most famous dhabas among Delhites, and is by no means over-rated. Haveli and Gulshan Dhaba are also very famous dhabas at Murthal. The food, especially the parathas, here are amazingly delicious, which is why many people drive to Murthal every day (and night). The food alone could make your road trip worth the effort.

6. Delhi to Neemrana (122km away)

The royal town of Neemrana is 122 km from Delhi. An architectural marvel, the Neemrana Fort Palace was built here in 1464 AD on a hill of the Aravallis. The once-in-ruins fort has been converted to a Fort Palace Hotel for over three decades now, preserving its medieval beauty & grandeur.

For adventure seekers, it offers guests and day visitors the exhilarating experience of ziplining across the Aravalli hills. If you are looking for a road trip that leads you to a royal weekend-stay, this heritage-hotel is a good option.

Road condition to Neemrana: From Delhi, this shorter stretch on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway has been said to be in decent condition but can get busy. Even in peak-traffic hours, it won’t take more than 3.5 hours to get here.

Dhabas: Although it is a short distance to Neemrana, the renowned Mannat Dhaba in Dharuhera would be a good stopover for an exceptional lassi and most other cravings you may have. There are many other dhabas on the way as well.

7. Delhi to Dam Dama Lake (61 km)

Perhaps the closest get-away to Delhi, Dam Dama lake is nothing like the capital city. A serene getaway, it offers wildlife, hills and natural beauty. It has been a favourite picnic spot for families and adventure-campers for years. You can camp in a tent outside the lake or book a room. The Botanix Nature Resort is a great option and an attraction in itself.

Road Condition: This short-distance on the Delhi-Alwar Highway is driveable. It can be congested but should not take you longer than 2 hours to cover.

Dhabas: Satya Dhaba and Royal Blue Dhaba are well-known dhabas in the town of Mahipalpur.

8. Delhi to Dehradun (245 km)

Dehradun is known as the Queen of the Hills. Being one of the oldest cities in Uttarakhand, it is not just scenic but is a great example of urban Kumaoni culture. The weather is extremely pleasant throughout. One can visit Dehradun at any time of the year.

Road Condition to Dehradun: The recommended, yet slightly longer route is the Grand Trunk Road/NH1 which is well maintained and a pleasure to drive on. The shorter Saharanpur route must be avoided.

Dhabas: While Murthal is a great grub spot giving you options like Sukhdev Dhaba, Haveli and Gulshan Dhaba, there are many other dhaba options on this route. The Grand Trunk Road is famous for being a dhaba haven.

9. Delhi to Kuchesar (130 km)

Kuchesar is a princely estate near Delhi. The main Kuchesar Fort or the Mud Fort has been restored and is a luxurious heritage hotel. The township offers various activities that are like a sneak-peak into the past. You can take a bullock-cart ride near mango orchards and sugarcane fields.

Road Condition to Kuchesar: NH-9 is the best route to Kuchesar and takes up to 2.5 hours. NH-9 is well maintained and safe. Your journey may be shorter if you’re leaving from North Delhi and choose to take the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, to join the NH-9 eventually.

Dhabas: A little known treasure, Shiva Tourist Dhaba makes for a great stopover in Babugarh.

10. Delhi to Karnal (118 km)

Karnal is a historic town in North India. In 1739, Nadir Shah defeated Muhammad Shah here defeating the Mughals and annexing Karnal to the Afsharid dynasty. The town preserves various tourist attractions that are worth a visit for history buffs.

Road Condition to Karnal: The only route to Karnal is through NH-44 and can take up to 3 hours to reach. It is well-maintained and not too problematic.

Dhabas: Murthal remains your go-to grub location on this route too. Do try Jhilmil Dhaba apart from those already recommended here.

11. Delhi to Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary (48 KM)

Head to the ‘Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary’ and take a day off from your busy schedule. It indeed is the best trips that you can plan. The sanctuary is close to Delhi so you can finish the whole trip in a day. The place is known for its diversity of birds and the winter season brings in many migratory species around.

Route: One can take either the Dabri- Gurgaon Road route or they can opt to travel via National Highway 9 to reach the destination.
Highlights: The Park, Migratory Birds
Dhabas: Sialkoti Dhaba in Sadar Bazaar, Gurgaon is a must-try.

12. Delhi to Surajkund (42 KM)

Surajkund is a cultural hub and a famous picnic spot for friends and family near Delhi. It is also one of the shortest drive from Delhi at a distance of just 42 kms. You could enjoy the blue Aravalli hills in the background. Once in Surajkund, there are several attractions that you can visit.

Route: Mahatma Gandhi Road – Outer Ring Road – Suraj Kund Road
Highlights: Raja Nahar Singh Fort, Camp Dhauj Lake, Surajkund
Dhabas: Vaishno Dhaba, Rajinder Singh Dhaba

13. Delhi to Manesar (49 KM)

Manesar is yet another destination near Delhi which makes for an amazing road trip. Manesar is mostly an industrial hub that is lately gaining a lot of popularity as a rural tourism hub. The place is known for its rustic life and the stunning views of the surrounding Aravalli Hills.

Route: NH 44 Delhi Gurugram Expressway – Manesar
Dhabas: Punjabi Dhaba, Vishal Dhaba, Pahalwan Dhaba

14. Delhi to Barsana (150 KM)

Barsana is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna’s gopi – Radha, and is known for its vibrant and zealous Holi. People from all across the country visit the small town at the top of the year, especially from Delhi. Since the distance is little and the route is scenic, this is also one of the most preferred road trips from Delhi.

Route: Mathura road / NH 19 & 44
Highlights: Shriji Temple, Maan Mandir, Sarkari Khor, Prem Sarovar Pond
Dhabas: Subhash Dhaba, Radha Swami Dhaba, Munna Dhaba, Ramu ka Dhaba

15. Delhi to Kurukshetra (160 KM)

Kurukshetra is situated only at a distance of 160 Km from Delhi and is known for its rich past and its historical significance. Other than the scenic route from Delhi to Kurukshetra, there are also several attractions within the town that you could explore.

Route: Delhi via Gurgaon to Kurukshetra
Highlights: Brahma Kund, Brahma Sarovar, Sannihit Sarovar
Dhabas: Shiv da Dhaba, Subhash Dhaba, Pandit Dhaba

16. Delhi to Haridwar (250 KM)

Haridwar is known to be one of the most religious cities for the Hindus. Other than that, it also makes up for one of the most enticing road trips from Delhi. Haridwar also acts as the base destination for some of the other tourist towns like Rishikesh and Devprayag.

Route: Delhi to Haridwar via Upper Ganga Canal Road & NH 334 Highlights: Chhota Haridwar, Muradnagar, Ganeshdham Dhabas: Bikanerwala, Jain Shikanji, Cheetal Grand

17. Delhi to Mathura and Vrindavan (180km away)

For those seeking to connect with Lord Krishna and his heritage, Mathura and Vrindavan are 180km away from Delhi. You can comfortably visit both these pilgrimage sights on a day-trip or choose to stay a night. Lodging options are in plenty. Another off-beat historic getaway in the Mathura District is Barsana – Goddess Radha’s home, Lord Krishna’s main consort.

Road condition to Mathura & Vrindavan: Similar to a drive or ride to Agra, the route to Mathura and Vrindavan is also the well-maintained Yamuna Expressway. The journey should not take more than 3 hours. There are no gas stations on the expressway so fill fuel before you start your trip.

Dhabas: There are no dhabas or food-joints on the Yamuna Expressway. If you are the kind who would need a snack, it is advisable to carry it with you from Delhi. Eateries can be found near tolls in case of an emergency.