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A road trip is a unique travel experience and offers complete freedom over your adventure. While some include exploring offbeat travel destinations, others are witnessing well-known places that attract several tourists throughout the year.
Read more about the most amazing road trips from Chennai that you can plan to go on solo or in a group.
Pulicat
Mahabalipuram
Kanchipuram
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Nagalapuram
Tirupati
Vellore
Chittoor
pondicherry
Nellore
Pichavaram Mangrove Forests
Yelagiri
Tharangambadi/Tranquebar
Horsley Hills
Kumbakonam
Trichy
Bangalore
Thanjavur
Nandi Hills
Yercaud
Madurai
Mysore
Kodaikanal
Ooty
Coorg
Masinagudi
Munnar
Are you planning to take a short road trip on your weekend? Below are some suggestions that are only a few distances from Chennai like within 100 km, between 100 km to 200 km, 200 km to 300 km, and 300 km to 600 km.
Listed below are some of the best road trips from Chennai that are within 100 km and take only a few hours to reach:
Pulicat is one of the most beautiful seashores in Tamil Nadu, located across the Coromandel coast. It houses Pulicat Lake which is the 2nd largest brackish water body in India offering serene surroundings and landscapes. The Pulicat Bird Sanctuary is another major tourist attraction found here that is a seasonal home to migratory birds.
Mahabalipuram connects through a picturesque road that runs across the coastline. One of the best one-day road trips from Chennai, Mahabalipuram has several tourist attractions certified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Also, being a famous beach town it is well-known for surfing, rock-cut caves and intricately carved temples. Its structures also hold great historical importance.
Kanchipuram is among India’s seven sacred cities. A site of historical and religious significance, the ancient structures 'Golden City of Temples’ are a legacy of the Dravidian heritage dating back to the Pallava dynasty. Whenever you are in Kanchipuram, explore its culture and the silk-weaver towns to get a different travel experience.
This bird sanctuary is located on the Vedanthangal Lake and can be an ideal road trip experience from Chennai. Home to more than 40,000 species of migratory birds, most of which are rare, you can capture amazing shots of rare species of birds. All these birds migrate from Australia, Siberia and Myanmar.
Road trips between 100 km and 200 km are more fascinating as you get to travel through several cities:
If you are an adventure buff, opt for a road trip to Nagalapuram from Chennai. Located north of Chennai, this place promises stunning scenic views that make it an ideal place for camping. Plan a day trip to the Nagalapuram Falls and the Vedanarayana Swamy Temple which are major tourist attractions here.
Located north of Chennai in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is a temple town and one of the most visited sites in India. A road trip from Chennai to this place will take you to the marvellous Venkateswara Temple, topped with a gold roof. Apart from this, this place is well-known for its surroundings and serenity.
A historical town, Vellore is located along the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. One of the major attractions here is the Vellore Fort, which is one of the largest forts in Tamil Nadu. The fort contains Jalakanteshwara Temple and a State Government Museum. You must explore some of the local delicacies around this place which include the Ambur Biryani.
Usually a 4-hour drive from Chennai, Chittoor boasts several natural and religious attractions that travellers can visit. It is a major city of Andhra Pradesh and the former capital of the great Dravidian. The best season to visit Chittoor is during the winter and the monsoon months.
Pondicherry’s serene beaches and densely vegetated lands offer a spectrum of experiences for travellers. Famously referred to as ‘The French Riviera of the East’, this place can be an ideal driving getaway from Chennai. Explore cathedrals, mosques, and monuments that represent 18th-century colonial architecture. This little excerpt of France has become a popular destination for weekend road trips from Chennai.
A road trip to Nellore should be on the list of every traveller interested in serene beaches, landscapes, temples and handloom shopping. A paradise for bird lovers and wildlife photographers, you can spot several migratory birds in Nellore. These include - pelicans, flamingos and storks, etc.
If you are willing to travel a bit further from Chennai, there are countless places within 300 km.
Pichavaram is the world’s second-largest mangrove forest covering an area of nearly 1100 hectares. Located between two well-known estuaries, i.e., Coleroon Estuary in the South and Vellar Estuary in the North, this place is best for birdwatching. The estuaries form the Killai backwaters – a perfect destination for indulging in kayaking, rowing, and canoeing. There are an astonishing 400+ routes for boating in the Pichavaram Mangroves!
A road trip to the beautiful hill station of Yelagiri in Tamil Nadu is a must if you want to indulge in rock climbing, paragliding, boating, and trekking. Yelagiri is located between the beautiful towns of Jolarpettai and Vaniyambadi. Explore boat houses at the Summer Festival, put up for showcase by local artisans, and get a glimpse of the traditional and folk art forms of South India.
Tranquil beaches, golden sands and heritage buildings make your road trip to Tharangambadi ideal. While driving across the scenic East Coast Road, you can view the coastline that refreshes your mind. You will find a 17th-century Danish fort and Tranquebar museum where antiques and relics from the 17th and 18th centuries are well preserved.
Horsley Hills is situated in the southern belt of Andhra Pradesh and is a famous hill station frequented by visitors. The pleasant climate and gorgeous landscapes are reasons people love to visit this location. Moreover, nature enthusiasts and bird lovers will find eucalyptus trees and other exotic flora, giving shelter to several rare and common bird species.
Kumbakonam is also known as the ‘Cambridge of South India’ and the ‘Temple City of South India’. Home to around 188 temples, this place attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country. The rich heritage, culture and art reflected in every nook and corner of this place, make it an ideal destination for tourists to explore.
Listed below are some of the ideal road trips that are within 300 km and 600 km that serve as ideal weekend getaways.
A fast-emerging city in Tamil Nadu, Trichy enthrals tourists with several temples and churches that speak volumes about its rich heritage. If you are seeking a place to spend your weekend, Trichy is an ideal location.
Bangalore is the 3rd largest and one of the most fascinating cities in India. The Silicon Valley of India is famous for its pleasant weather, parks, lakes and several tourist attractions. So, if you are planning a road trip from Chennai to spend your weekend, Bangalore is ideal.
Thanjavur is another significant destination from Chennai that is well-known for its rich heritage, art and culture. The beautiful temples, including the UNESCO-certified Brihadisvara Temple, opulent palaces and museums will surely take you back in time. Furthermore, this city is famous for its superb handicrafts, dolls and paintings.
Plan a blissful one-day road trip from Chennai to bask in the awe-inspiring scenic beauty of Nandi Hills. It is a group of hills, located at an elevation of 4850 metres. It creates the backdrop for Bangalore and is perfect for nature lovers. In addition, Nandi Hills is an ideal location to indulge in adventure activities like paragliding, trekking, cycling, and many more.
Known for its plantations of guava, coffee, orange, jackfruit and black pepper, Yercaud is another popular tourist hill station for an ideal road trip from Chennai. It is also famous as the ‘Lake Forest’ and gets its name from Yercaud Lake or Emerald Lake. What more? Its picturesque beauty makes it one of the most prominent jewels of South India.
Madurai, one of the oldest Indian cities, is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. A trip to this place will be an amazing one as this place holds a great cultural heritage. Madurai is famous for the Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi. However, there are many ancient temples and tourist attractions that contribute to its rich heritage.
Mysore is a famous tourist destination in Karnataka and is home to some magnificent palaces, parks, museums and gardens. When you are here, do not forget to shop for the city’s famous items like sandalwood and silk. In addition, try the authentic Mysore Pak and the Mysore masala dosa here.
Kodaikanal is known for its gorgeous waterfalls, lakes, cliffs, and valleys making it one of southern India’s most serene tourist destinations. Explore a range of exotic fauna and flora, besides indulging in adventure activities. Trekking makes this place the favourite getaway from Chennai for adventure buffs.
Also known as Udagamandalam, Ooty is a dominant hill station in India dotted with tea gardens, serene waterfalls, and winding country lanes. The hills surrounding Ooty are great for adventure activities. All these factors make this place the best destination for a weekend road trip from Chennai.
Coorg is famous for coffee plantations, majestic forts, temples, treks and forests. A beautiful destination just a few hours from Chennai, Coorg is known as the Scotland of India and the Kashmir of South India. Adding to its popularity is its pleasant weather. Moreover, every season here reveals something unique about its landscape.
Adding to the list of best weekend trips from Chennai is Masinagudi. Cradled by the Nilgiri range and about 1 hour from Ooty, you can get a glimpse of the unique wildlife in this region.
Located between the three mountain rivulets of Nallathanni, Kundala, and Mudrapuzha is a quaint little town atop a hill, called Munnar. Munnar is a famous trekking destination for adventure lovers, and the highest peak here is Anamudi. Contributing to its beauty are waterfalls, forests and lakes. You will find several tea plantations here making it an important tea trading hub in India.
These above points are all the information you would need to embark on the best road trip from Chennai. Shortlist the destination depending on the activity offered, places to visit, distance and time required. They are all going to offer a memorable experience.
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