Road trips suit families: you travel at your own pace, carry everything you need, and stop whenever someone is hungry or carsick. The trick is choosing routes with short driving days, good roads and places to stay that welcome children, and building the day around one or two highlights rather than long distances.
The routes below all have driving legs of about five hours or less and plenty to do at each stop.
Quick answer
The best family road trips in India are short, well-served routes such as Delhi to Shimla or Jaipur, Delhi to Nainital, Mumbai or Pune to Mahabaleshwar, Bengaluru to Mysuru and Coorg, Chennai to Pondicherry, Kochi to Munnar and Thekkady, and Ahmedabad to Kutch in winter. Keep driving days to four or five hours, stop every two hours, and plan a rest day in a week-long trip.
Key takeaways
- Keep driving days to four or five hours with young children.
- Stop every two hours for food, toilets and a walk.
- Winding hill roads cause motion sickness; plan remedies and frequent breaks.
- Choose stays with parking, space outdoors and flexible meals.
- Avoid high-altitude routes with infants, and consult a doctor for elders.
Family road trips at a glance
| Route | Approx. distance | Why families like it |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi–Shimla | 350 km | Toy train, the Ridge, easy walks |
| Delhi–Jaipur | 280 km | Forts, elephants at Amber, markets |
| Delhi–Nainital | 300 km | Lake boating, ropeway, zoo |
| Pune–Mahabaleshwar | 120 km | Strawberries, viewpoints, lake |
| Bengaluru–Mysuru–Coorg | About 260 km | Palace, elephant camp, estates |
| Chennai–Pondicherry | 150 km | Beaches, promenade, Auroville |
| Kochi–Munnar | 130 km | Waterfalls, tea museum, Eravikulam |
North India
South and west
Travelling with children
- Plan around nap times; many children sleep well in the car in the afternoon.
- Carry motion-sickness remedies, sick bags, wet wipes and a change of clothes.
- Use a child seat for young children; bring your own if renting a car.
- Keep snacks and water within reach, and plan one special treat per day.
- Download offline games, audiobooks and maps; mobile signal drops in the hills.
Travelling with grandparents
- Choose stays with few stairs and rooms near dining areas.
- Avoid very long days and high altitudes; consult a doctor before hill trips.
- Carry regular medicines and prescriptions, and a list of nearby hospitals.
- Plan temple and heritage visits for mornings, when it is cooler.
Pacing a family trip
| Trip length | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| Weekend | One destination within four to five hours |
| Five days | Two bases, with a rest afternoon |
| A week | Three bases and one full rest day |
Choosing stays
For families, the right stay matters more than the route. Look for hotels or homestays with safe parking, a garden or lawn, early dinners, and rooms that can take an extra bed. In the hills, check whether the property is up a steep path or many stairs from where you park. Resorts outside busy towns such as Manali, Nainital and Munnar are often quieter and easier with children than hotels on the main market road.
Book early for school holidays and long weekends, when popular family destinations fill up weeks in advance.
When to go
October to March suits most family trips in the plains, coasts and south. School summer holidays (May and June) are the time for hill stations, but traffic and crowds are heavy; book early and avoid long weekends. Avoid mountain roads in the peak monsoon.
Safety
- Mountain roads close or slow down after heavy rain, snow or landslides; check road status and weather updates each morning and avoid driving after dark.
- Permits, tolls, entry fees, pass openings and road works change; check official sources shortly before you travel.
- Distances and driving times are approximate and vary with traffic, weather, road works and stops.
What to pack
- Driving licence, RC, insurance and PUC certificate, with copies
- Warm layers and a rain jacket
- Motion-sickness tablets for winding roads
- Cash for small towns and barriers
Want the route, stops and stays planned around your dates?
FAQs
What is the best family road trip in India?
Delhi to Shimla, Bengaluru to Coorg, Chennai to Pondicherry and Kochi to Munnar are all easy and rewarding.
How long should driving days be with children?
About four to five hours, with breaks every two hours.
Are child car seats required in India?
Rules for children in cars vary; using a suitable child seat is strongly recommended for safety.
Is Ladakh suitable for a family road trip?
It is demanding because of altitude; consult a doctor, and avoid it with infants.
What should I pack for a family road trip?
Snacks, water, motion-sickness remedies, a first-aid kit, entertainment and a change of clothes.
When is the best time for a family road trip?
October to March for most regions; May and June for the hills, with early bookings.
