Beautiful Road Trips From Jaipur - The Pink City

Known For : Qutub Minar India Gate Qutub Minar Red Fort

Delhi, eh? Naam hi kaafi hai! NH 8 was a pleasure to drive through until a few years later. Shoddy maintenance has turned the roads into a virtual nightmare for the commuters. You can choose to proceed via Fatehpur Sikri and Agra instead, for they form a part of the golden triangle circuit in India, and the roads hold forth the promise of being decent. NH 8 has plenty of restaurants serving excellent food along the way. So much so that you might be spoilt for choice. Get going then! After all, 275 Kilometres is by no chance way a very long distance. Is it?

Distance from Jaipur: 265 km

Best Time: October to March

121 New Delhi Attractions

Known For : City Palace, Udaipur Lake Pichola Jagmandir Palace

This one journey holds the promise of remaining firmly seated in your memory for quite some time to come. Proceed via roads which have been maintained zealously and are as smooth as clarified butter. At the other end of the 421 Kilometres long journey, you’d be at one with the city of lakes. There might not be too many dhabas lining this road, but as it should not take you more than 6 hours to reach your destination, food, for the time being, could take the backseat. You my dear friend be must be at the wheels, meanwhile. Tip: National Highway 79 is the best and the shortest route to reach Udaipur via road. there are other routes as well like the NH 12, but the traffic plying through those can be a bit menacing at times.

Distance from Jaipur: 398 km

Best Time: October to March

43 Udaipur Attractions

Known For : Jaisalmer Fort Desert Safari in Jaisalmer Gadisar Lake

Ah! The sparkling golden sands call out to you. The shimmering heat of the desert is of no consequence when bitten by the bug to keep moving ahead. For once, the 570 Kilometres (NH 15) distance between the two cities amounts to sheer nothing for the roads are in top-notch condition. One added advantage is that the road to Jaisalmer is dotted with a number of dhabas serving traditional Rajasthani cuisine, which do not require further elaboration. The villages along the route bubble with life. And to top it all, the people here are known to be a particularly hospitable lot. Tip: You can choose to take the SH 19 as well. However, if you choose to take the traditional route via Jodhpur and Pokhran, you might be able to stop over to pay a visit to Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. The choice is yours.

Distance from Jaipur: 557 km

Best Time: October to March

39 Jaisalmer Attractions

Known For : Junagarh Fort Karni Mata Temple Gajner Palace

Ever been to one of those bikaneri sweets and snacks shops in your vicinity? Bikaner is the progenitor of all such savouries. And what is more, there is the famous Junagadh fort bang in the middle of the desert town. You need only pick up your motorbike and hit the tarmac on NH 11 which connects the two cities of Rajasthan. The 335 Kilometres distance can be covered, without many hassles, in about 6 hours. The vibrant desert life racing past you shall remain embedded in your memory quite firmly.

Distance from Jaipur: 333 km

Best Time: October to March

23 Bikaner Attractions

Known For : Taj Mahal Agra Fort Taj Mahotsav

Agra is a living testimony to the love and compassion of mankind. Home to as many as three UNESCO World Heritage sites, Agra is a piece de resistance. Meanwhile, a road trip from Jaipur to Agra on a Royal Enfield is enough to allay your frenzied nerves, as Agra is located categorically on the Golden Triangle tourist circuit. NH 11 is by far the best route to follow while traveling to Agra from Jaipur. The roads are excellent and the distance too (265 Kilometres) isn’t that great as well. Tip: Drop in at Fatehpur on the way to Agra and be dazzled by one of UNESCO’S World Heritage Sites.

Distance from Jaipur: 237 km

Best Time: October to March

20 Agra Attractions

Known For : Dilwara Temples (Delwada Temple) Toad Rock Mount Abu Sunset Point

Mount Abu is a traveller’s paradise and has a number of offerings up its kitty. However, you need to take the road trip first in order to be captivated by its scenic beauty. The roads are welcoming and as you approach Mount Abu via NH 14, the undulating and jagged peaks of Arvallis shall provide you meaningful company. Proceeding via NH 8 and then onto NH 14 is the preferable route, but it should not in any way that you should be averse from taking any other available route.

Distance from Jaipur: 495 km

Best Time: October to March

20 Mount Abu Attractions

Known For : Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Jeep Safari Ranthambore Ranthambhore Fort

As if the prospect of an exciting date with the tiger wasn’t enough, the highway connecting Jaipur to Ranthambore (Jaipur-Kota Road) is something of a photographer’s paradise. The entire stretch is liberally dotted with scenic villages which epitomize the exquisitely rich culture of the state. Not to say anything about the numerous roadside dhabas to douse the pangs of hunger which so eagerly squirm inside you. The 180 Kilometres long stretch is altogether in a decent condition, with an agonizingly long potholed patch pf 20-25 Kilometres in between. Tip: It should take you no more than 4-5 hours at the most to reach Ranthambore. And if you choose to take the route via Tonk, you might find the roads in a better condition.

Distance from Jaipur: 192 km

Best Time: October to Apr

20 Ranthambore Attractions

Known For : Gateway of India Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Marine Drive, Mumbai

Though the distance might actually put you off at the very outset, once you begin the journey it won’t take you long before every shred of doubt is cast aside. The roads on this side of NH 8 are better than those on the side of Delhi. Since this road passes through Gujarat for a substantial chunk of it, you’be absolutely delighted to witness the indigenous culture of the state on display. Dhabas are aplenty on this route, as there’d be plenty of options to feed your belly and move on! Tip: The distance of around 1175 Kilometres wouldn’t hurt you much, as long as there is enough fuel in your tummy and your vehicle’s fuel tank.

Distance from Jaipur: 1,149 km

Best Time: October to February

120 Mumbai Attractions

Known For : Castle Mandawa Havelis, Mandawa Shopping in Mandawa

Known for its very popular Mandawa Fort, Mandawa is a quaint little town in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Popularly known as the Open Art Gallery, the town is replete with paved archways and magnificent havelis and fortresses. It is located in the heart of the Shekhawati region and is dotted with palaces and splendid mansions (havelis). The aura and vibe of the place reflect the social and cultural environment of the place in the bygone era. Owing to its royal rendition, it is also a hot spot for movie shoots and is filled in by media on and off the year.
An easy road trip from Delhi, a beautiful city suitably located in the heart of Shekhawati region, often called as an open art gallery, Mandawa is a good getaway for people fond of art and culture.

Distance from Jaipur: 168 km

Best Time: October to March

4 Mandawa Attractions

Known For : Bharatpur National Park Lohagarh Fort Banke Bihari Temple

Often referred as the 'Eastern Gate of Rajasthan', Bharatpur is located in the Braj region of state Rajasthan. The city is drenched by its culture, chivalry and romance woven into ballads and folklore can be heard from miles. An exotic offbeat destination that serves tourists with authentic Rajasthani traditions, religious occasions mark devotion of the state people. Also known as Lohagarh, it is a part of the golden tourism triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, this place attracts a considerable number of national and international tourist every year. It is also the home of Keoladeo National Park, which habitats over 370 species of animals and birds. It is recognised as one of the most popular birds feeding and breeding grounds. In 1982 the park was marked as a National Park, and later in 1985, it came on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Distance from Jaipur: 183 km

Best Time: November to February

12 Bharatpur Attractions

Known For : Bhangarh Fort Bala Quila Fort Sariska National Park

Alwar is the first major city that comes while travelling from Delhi to Rajasthan and is uniquely located at 150 km south of Delhi and 150 km north of Jaipur. Alwar is a hub of tourism with a wide range of forts like Bhangarh fort, lakes, nature reserves like Sariska Tiger Reserve and heritage havelis. Apart from being a popular tourist centre, Alwar also draws pride from its reputation of being featured in a number of Bollywood movies. It is also famous for the Mega Alwar Trade fair held at Dussehra Ground every year and handmade Papier-mâché (literally 'chewed paper'). Alwar has a unique recognition because of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Bala-Quila, Bhangarh Fort, Pandu Pol and other temples and its importance of the food map because of the heavenly Kalakand.

Distance from Jaipur: 161 km

Best Time: October to March

26 Alwar Attractions

Known For : Sheesh Mahal, Nawalgarh Morarka Haveli The Poddar Haveli

Fondly known as "the land of Havelis" or "open air art gallery", this miniature town of Nawalgarh is located around 30 kms away from the town of Jhunjhunu and does absolute justice to the name given to it.

Distance from Jaipur: 141 km

Best Time: November to March

4 Nawalgarh Attractions

Bhandarej located in the Duasa district in Rajasthan is a quaint and perfect place to getaway from the hustle bustle of the city. This is a vibrant and colourful place that is beautifully juxtaposed with the intricate stone monuments. Bhandarej is full of scenic beauty and picturesque landscapes. The various flora and fauna that inhabit here makes the place even more mesmerizing. The ancient temples dating back to the Mahabharata period are quite a sight to see and would leave you awestruck. This place is ideal for people who are seeking for serenity and calmness.

Distance from Jaipur: 70 km

Damdama Lake is a beautiful lake 24 km south of Gurugram, off the Gurugram-Alwar road. It is around 64 km i.e. an hour's drive away from New Delhi and has a calm and peaceful vibe about it. The lake was commissioned by the British in 1947 for rainwater harvesting. In its current form, however, what makes Damdama Lake enticing is that it is home to over 190 species of native and migratory birds. In monsoons, water levels reach as high as fifty feet and this is when most of the migratory birds are spotted. Damdama Lake is the biggest lake in Haryana and stretches to almost three thousand acres. It is a popular place for picnics as well as for on-site training for corporate team-building exercises.

Distance from Jaipur: 247 km