20 Monsoon Road Trips in India for the Riders

Do you want to become the rider in the storm like Jim Morrison said? Don’t worry, we got you all covered with a list of the top 20 riding destinations in monsoon.

Monsoon Road Trips in India for the Riders
Image Credit: The Hosteller

A lot of philosophers believe that life is not all about the destination that leads you there and it is quite true if you give a good thought to it. Similarly, traveling gets more fun when you enjoy the journey of reaching to certain place rather than focusing on the single spot at the end. The greatest thing about road trips is that it allows you to absorb the surrounding places and nature and you might come across something that was not even in your itinerary. If you are also a riding enthusiast and looking forward to embarking on glorious road trips; here are the top 20 trip ideas for the Monsson that can put you in awe.

  • Mumbai To Malshej

Malshej is one of the most beautiful places in Maharashtra which can be considered as a dream destination. The road from Mumbai to Malshej is one of the most beautiful roads to go on a ride as you can see lush green forest on both sides of the road. It gets even fresher and greener during the monsoon, turning the landscape into a magical heaven. It is around 130 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune which offers a perfect opportunity for a nice ride that can take around 3 to 4 hours.

  • Mumbai to Goa

Bombay to Goa is one of the famous journeys for road trips and you can find its mention in Bollywood. It offers one of the smoothest rides that offer a handful of breathtaking views on the way. The misty road in the monsoon season is quite delightful to ride through if you have proper gear for it. It is a long journey that can take 15+ hours and it is recommended to ample pit stops for food and fuel. You need to follow the NH66 which is around 577 km from Mumbai and 441 km from Pune.

  • The East Coast Road

Just like the Pacific Highway in California is highly famous around the world, we have our east coast road which is right between the mountains and the sea. This road is remarkably beautiful and offers an amazing experience of riding in the monsoon time. The road connects Chennai with Pondicherry and the charming sceneries are too good to be true. You need to follow the SH 49 and travel around 160 km to reach it. This ride can take somewhere around 3-3.5 hours.

  • Udaipur to Mount Abu

Udaipur is a lake city of Rajasthan which is best known for its pristine and royal beauty and Mount Abu on the other hand is the highest peak of the state. Since the state mostly stays hot, it can offer a fresh experience in the Monsoon season. You will start from the planes and slowly get up to a yellow hill town and at the end, you will find a spectacular top view. The road trip will take around 4 hours to cover the stretch of 161 km and you are required to follow NH 76 for fast and smooth travelling.

  • Karwar To Mangalore

Have ever been to Karwar? It is a coastal city in Karnataka that offers magnificent beaches and an amazing view of the sea. There is a route from Karwar to Mangalore that connects with NH 17. Think of this, you will get the backwaters of a river on one side and the waves of the sea on the other. The road is quite smooth and can offer a seamless riding experience in the monsoon days. The route is around 270 km long and it can take somewhere around 5 hours to cover it.

  • Bangalore To Coorg

This is another popular route for road trips which is availed of by most people in Bangalore who are looking forward to enjoy the hilly landscapes in the monsoon season. It is nearby Western Ghats and rains heavily during monsoon, offering a fresh green layer on landscape. The route is around 268 km long can take a long time to reach. It is recommended to check the road updates and weather updates to avoid landslides.

  • Shillong To Cherrapunji

If you are in northeast India, this road trip is a must for everyone. Probably it is still less heard among people but offers one of the most spectacular experiences of riding through the mountains with serpentine and wavy roads. Bikers can enjoy riding through NH 40 or SH 5 as the roads are smooth as butter. The distance is somewhere around 55 km and it can be covered in 1 to 2 hours. It offers a perfect plan for a weekend road trip.

  • Hyderabad To Tirupati

Do you know that Nallamala forest is a dense reserve forest area which stretches through the Eastern Ghats and merges with Tirupathi? This road trip from Hyderabad can show you things that you might not have thought before. The hilly terrain is perfect for an adventurous ride which spans over 347 km. this trip can take up to 6 hours or more but the scenic views will make you stop often.

  • Darjeeling To Gangtok

Most people who come to Darjeeling for vacation are more likely to visit Sikkim and especially Gangtok since it is the capital city of the state. If you embark on this road trip, you will be driving about 2200 meters above the sea. However, the lush green mountains will make feel like you are going through a forest only. While you are on this road trip, you can also witness the majestic Mt.Kanchenjunga through a 4 to 5-hour-long adventure.

  • Pune to Mumbai

This is an easy weekend trip that you can start even with an impromptu plan. This road trip is quite famous and takes only around 4 hours to complete. It can provide spectacular views and an engaging experience of cruising through the smooth hilly roads. The distance between the two places is somewhere around 150 km and it gets very beautiful during the monsoon season. You will find a majestic view of the Western Ghats if you take the express way that directly connects the both city.

  • Pune to Surat

Pune to Surat might sound like a lot but Maharashtra and Gujarat are neighboring states only and there is NH 50 from Pune to connect both places. The distance is around 441 km and it can take up to 9 to 10 hours to complete the trip one way. People are more likely to visit Saputara in Surat which is a hill station belonging to the Sahyadri range at an altitude of 1000 meters. This beautiful destination can offer some of the best waterfalls and scenic landscapes in Gujarat and is perfect for a riding destination.

  • Tejpur To Tawang

Arunachal is one of the most beautiful states in India and Tawang is a small town bordering China which is also the biggest tourist attraction of the state. Tejpur provides the only motorable road near the town so; this road trip is quite adventurous. This is also the second highest motorable road in India so, this road trip is more suitable for the pro-riders rather than some beginner. The distance is around 320 km and it can take more than 13 hours to reach. However, you come across many natural developments like picturesque valleys, snow-filled meadows, and pristine river beds while continuing on your journey.  Therefore, the trip is highly fascinating and satisfying.

  • Chandigarh To Kasauli

Who does not like to go to Himachal Pradesh? Especially in Kasauli which is best known for its pristine mountain views and valleys. You can enjoy a great road trip from Chandigarh to Himachal Pradesh by road which takes somewhere around 2 hours to complete the distance of 60 km. During the monsoon time, you can enjoy the most pleasant sights and finally can live in an attractive destination. This road trip is highly popular among most mountain lovers.

  • Bangalore to Ooty

Brace yourself for a breathtaking road trip from Bangalore to Ooty which spans over 7 hours. You will encounter the wild on the way to the scenic hill station Ooty while cruising through the lush green reserve forest of Bandipur. This forest is best known for its wildlife reserve and you can encounter some of them too. The road stretches over 290 km and it is recommended to take the NH 209 to enjoy a seamless riding experience during the monsoon. You will also get the best Indian coffee here which is an added bonus to the trip.

  • Konark-Puri Marine Drive

If you are willing the enjoy the coastal rides like the East Coast highway, then Konark-Puri Marine Drive is perfect for you. The road trip can offer you the most mesmerizing views of a diversified landscape that includes almost everything. The route has the sea on one side and lush greenery encompassing exotic wildlife occupies the other end and the wide, amazing road provides a thrilling ride during rains. On the way, you will also find many places of interest and pristine beaches that you might not have planned for. It is a very short trip that spans over 35 km and it can be covered within an hour only if you follow the NH 229.

  • Bangalore to Hassan

You might not have heard about this road trip much but it is quite a fabulous trip to embark on. The route that follows NH 48 can provide you with the best riding experience on the best road in Bangalore. It is pristine, and beautiful and offers the taste of a simple and laid-back village life. The farms and fields of Hassan are quite beautiful and the relaxing experience here can help you rejuvenate your life. The distance between the two places is somewhere around 183 km and it can take more than 4 hours to complete it. However, the smooth road makes sure to reduce the time taken.

  • Manali to Leh

This is the dream road trip for all kinds of riders and bike enthusiasts as it feels like riding on heaven. It is the most challenging and exhilarating road trip in India that takes place on a higher altitude and risky mountain roads. But it is also highly enticing and fulfilling for most people who are willing to get through that struggle. It is an enchanting road trip with an out-of-the-world experience to witness rugged terrains, snow-capped Himalayas, flowing rivers, and majestic meadows. The total distance in this case is around 479 km which takes around 3 days to complete.

  • Theni to Meghamalai

The route for this exquisite road trip is located about 4000 meters above sea level and the total distance between the two places is only around 47 km which can be covered in two hours. Meghamalai is a reserve forest area with abundant lush greenery and wavy hills, making it an ideal destination for road trips. The weather remains pleasant throughout the whole year but everything feels more fresh and green when you are visiting during the monsoon season.

  • Mangalore to Agumbe

If you want to drive through coastal Karnataka, this is the best road trip for you. Agumbe is one of the best hill stations of India and it can offer amazing landscapes during the monsoon season. This trip spans over 108 km and can be covered within 2 to 3 hours only. Therefore, you can perfectly enjoy this trip on a weekend.

  • Darjeeling To Pelling

Pelling is a hidden gem of Sikkim which is visited by thousands of tourists every year. You can easily visit the place by road as the distance is only around 110 km. But the hilly roads can be damaged during the monsoon and that is why, riders must be extra cautious before hitting the road. You can easily visit the place within 4 hours from Darjeeling.

Stay tuned to find out more!