Living in Bangalore and not exploring the surrounding? With plenty of offers from hills, lakes, forts, waterfalls, wildlife and so much more, a road trip in the upcoming monsoons isn’t a bad idea? When you get tired from the mundane everyday life, it is important to take a break and recharge yourself. You should never feel guilty about taking a well-deserved off for your mental health. Here are a few road trips from Bangalore you can embark on to give you a refreshing perspective on things.
35 Best Road Trips From Bangalore
Here’ a list of the most interesting places for road trips from Bangalore. Go through this list carefully and plan a trip with your friends. Make sure to buy a lot of food for the route:
- Skandagiri – 70 km
- Sangam – 95 km
- Mekedatu – 90 km
- Avalabetta – 90 km
- Ranganathittu – 140 km
- Lepakshi – 150 km
- Sakleshpur -260 km
- Wayanad – 270 km
- Ooty – 280 km
- Coonoor – 300 km
- Coorg – 280 km
- Kudremukh – 350 km
- Pondicherry – 350 km
- Hampi – 350 km
- Agumbe – 380 km
- Calicut – 365 km
- Badami – 400 km
- Kodaikanal – 450 km
- Kochi – 500 km
- Karwar – 520km
- Goa – 650 km
- Gandikota – 280 km
- Kunti Betta -130 km
- Doddamakali – 114 km
- Karighatta – 125 km
- Bylakuppe – 214 km
- Nandi Hills – 61 km
- Gokarna – 485 km
- Dandeli – 461 km
- Chikmagalur -243 km
- Mysore – 143 km
- Ramanagara – 50 km
- Bheemeshwari – 100 km
- Savandurga – 48 km
- Hogenakkal Falls – 127 km
1. Skandagiri
If you are planning a road trip from Bangalore, do not miss out on Skandagiri. It is a hill near the Chickballapur famous for “walking above the clouds”. Skandagiri is famous for night trekking. Trekkers start to climb at 2 am on full moon nights and reach the peak and witness the sunrise. You will make the most of your time here. Make sure to gather your friends and plan a trip to this gorgeous place. You will not regret this trip.
Distance: 70 km
Time taken: 1.5 hour
Must Read: 8 Luxury Resorts Near Bangalore For A Lavish Weekend Escapade!
2. Sangam
Sangama is the confluence of two rivers – Arkavathi and Kaveri (Cauvery). A piece of wonderment awaits at Mekedatu, the end of a probable destination for a road trip from Bangalore. This is one of the best road trips near Bangalore. This trip should be well-thought out before you take out your car and set out for a trip. Make sure to pack the essentials. Carry enough sunblock for you and your friends. In Summers, you can easily walk inside the river. During monsoons there will be more water with heavy flow and you can enjoy the Coracle boat ride.
Distance: 95 Km
Time taken: 2 hours
3. Mekedatu
Here the Cauvery river jumps in to deep narrow gorge over which even a goat can leap. One can drive only up to Cauvery Akravati Sangama. After this you can cross the river in coracle (circular boats) or by walking if the water level is low. From here Mekedatu is 4km downstream. This is one of the best road trips from Bangalore within 100 km. This place will blow you away with its narrow gorges, fast-flowing river and overall beautiful scenery.
Distance: 90km
Time taken: 2 hours
Suggested Read: 27 Best Places To Visit Near Bangalore In Summer To Escape The Blazing Sun
4. Avalabetta
A hilly retreat, a paradise for nature lovers, Avalabetta is a lovely spot for a road trip from Bangalore. With beauty and serenity crowning its presence, Avalabetta is about 90kms from Bangalore off the Bellary road. It is a laid back yet enjoyable destination. This is undoubtedly the best best road trip from Bangalore. You will thoroughly enjoy yourself during this trip and will come back feeling more refreshed than ever before. Make sure to stop by here.
Distance: 90 km
Time taken: 2 hours
Suggested Read: 56 Ultimate Weekend Getaways From Bangalore
5. Ranganathittu
One of the best places for a road trip from Bangalore is Ranganathittu? Just outside of Srirangapatna, the Cauvery river meanders around a string of tiny nesting sites of waterfowls. Experience the excitement of a boat ride that takes you within touching distance of the birds as marsh crocodiles bask in the sun. This is one of the best short road trips from Bangalore. Aren’t boat rides combined with car trips the best thing in the world? Tell us in the comments section below.
Distance: 140 km
Time taken: 3.5 hours
Suggested Read: Bungee Jumping In Bangalore: Taste The Adventure In Its Raw And Best Form!
6. Lepakshi
A wonder in itself, Lepakshi is a small temple dedicated to Papanasheshvara. This place is marked with a natural rock shelter over a hill and is still revered by the locals. The temple is known for its magnificent architecture. You will have the time of your life in this gorgeous destination. Make sure to take a lot of pictures. These temples have rich historical significance. You must book a guide before planning to tour this place.
Distance: 150km
Time taken: 3.5 hours
7. Sakleshpur
Sakleshpur is a hill station in Hassan district on your way from Bangalore to Mangalore. Its scenic beauty, lush green coffee plantations, enchanting mountains, streams and pleasant, chilling and romantic weather conditions make it an idyllic destination for a road trip from Bangalore. What more could you possibly need when in a mood for a long drive from Bangalore? You will have the time of your life here. Take this trip, you won’t regret it.
Distance: 260km
Time taken: 5 hours
Suggested Read: Pen Down These 10 Resorts In Bangalore For The Best Of Both Luxury & Comfort!
8. Wayanad
Wayanad is a picturesque plateau nested among the mountains of the Western Ghats. Driving via Bandipur will give you the best experience of passing through forests, waterfalls, spotting wildlife as you unwind in the most picturesque road of South India. Be careful in the wildlife region. Don’t atempt to go off roading in this region. Drive carefully in the night. Keep the blinkers of your cars on at all times.
Distance: 270 km
Time taken: 5-6 hours
9. Ooty
Called the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South. Drive along the Mysore state highway from Bangalore, as you pass through the thickets of Bandipur and Masinagudi to catch the glimpses of wildlife. This trail has about 32 hairpin bends perfect and ideal for the best memories of this journey. This trip will set the tone for the rest of your day, week, month, and year. Go ahead and embark on a joy ride.
Distance: 280 km
Time taken: 5-6 hours
Suggested Read: 25 Best Restaurants In Bangalore That Are Perfect For A Food Spree
10. Coonoor
Feel like going on a bike trip from Bangalore? Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, surrounded by tea plantations, at an altitude of 1839 metres. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cold throughout the year and this makes it one of the best destinations for road trips near Bangalore on bike.
Distance: 300 km
Time taken: 5-6 hours
Suggested Read: 54 Best Places To Visit In India In Summer To Escape The Scorching Heat
11. Coorg
Plan a road trip from Bangalore to the “Scotland of Southern India”. This picturesque town is spread over the the land of coffee, cardamom, colonels and the Cauvery. It is said to be the best tourist destination in India. The tourist footfall is high in the region throughout the year. You can choose the offbeat attractions instead of the popular ones for a more relaxed trip.
Distance: 280 km
Time taken: 5-6 hours
Suggested Read: 35 Places To Visit In Coorg For A Mesmerizing Vacay In South India
12. Kudremukh
Kudremukh is popular for its scenic beauty, located in midst of mountains and is known for all kinds of flora and fauna spread over. This is one of the famous grassy hill stations of India. This Place was named after the eponymous peak, which is shaped like a horse face. If this trip doesn’t make you rethink your relationship with nature, we don’t know what will.
Distance: 350 km
Time taken: 7 hours
13. Pondicherry
Though very small, Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. Among its diverse attractions are a coastline of 32 kms, palm-fringed beaches, backwaters, fishing villages, beach resorts, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the international city of Auroville, the French boulevard town with its French heritage, and so on. Some great food, some fine wine, and a great adventure await you here.
Distance: 350 km
Time taken: 6-7 hours
14. Hampi
The forlorn ruins of Hampi dot an unearthly landscape that will leave you spellbound the moment you cast your eyes on it. Heaps of giant boulders perch over miles of undulating terrain, and their rusty hues offset by palm groves, banana plantations and paddy fields is a site to behold.You will be blown away by the beauty and the maginificence of this place. Make sure to grab your friends and head here.
Distance: 350 km
Time taken: 7 hours
Suggested Read: 101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30
15. Agumbe
Visit the fantasy destination Agumbe featured in Malgudi Days based on R.K Narayan’s novel. It is rightly called the Cherrapunji of South India. Apart from the lush green views all around, the attractions for the visitors is the spectacular sunset and vast opportunities for the trekkers. This is a trekker’s paradise. The warmth and the hospitality of the locals will revitalize your spirits. If you’re looking for a spiritual retreat, let your search cease here.
Distance: 380 km
Time taken: 7-8 hours
16. Calicut
The popular and the largest city in north Kerala, Calicut, has been a prosperous trading town and was once the capital of the formidable Zamorin dynasty. The city beholds gorgeous beaches and wide roads perfect for a long road trip. Who doesn’t like a beach getaway? If your answer to the city’s pollution, dust and grime is the beach, pack your bags and jet off to this beautiful destination. You will not regret it one bit and thoroughly enjoy yourself.
Distance: 365 km
Time taken: 7-8 hours
Suggested Read: 10 Romantic Beaches In Kerala You Must Visit For A Soulful Vacay!
17. Badami
Badami is famous for its magnificent rock-cut cave temples, and red sandstone cliffs that resemble the Wild West. While the dusty main road is an eyesore that will have you wanting to get the hell out of there, its backstreets are a lovely area to explore with old houses, carved wooden doorways and the occasional Chalukyan ruin. If you’re a history buff, book a car, gather your friends and visit Badami over the weekend. It will be an exciting journey.
Distance: 400km
Time taken: 7-8 hours
18. Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is also popularly known as the princess of Hill Stations. The cool and misty weather, the scenic beauty of the rolling hills and the wooded forest of Kodaikanal and its surroundings will mesmerize any visitor throughout the year. Walk through the wooded forests, row in the lake, bath in one of the splashing waterfalls, go for horse riding and cycling around the lake or simply admire the views.
Distance: 450km
Time taken: 8 hours
19. Kochi
Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. It’s a delightful place to spend some time at with your significant other, friends or even solo. Solo getaways are really underrated. The kind of perspective travel gives you when you’re traveling solo is a class apart. Nothing can replicate this feeling for you.
Distance: 500km
Time taken: 8-9 hours
20. Karwar
Looking for an offbeat road trip destination from Bangalore? Head to Karwar. It is a seaside town situated on the banks of the Kali river. The town is sandwiched between the sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other and its rich flora and fauna make up for a picturesque trip. If you’re looking to switch things up in your mundane life, book a car and leave. Your mental health will thank you.
Distance: 520 km
Time taken: 8-9 hours
21. Goa
Image Source
Last but not the least, Goa has to be on your list of road trips from Bangalore. Swaying palms, white sands and sparkling waters: the three essential elements that attract 2 million visitors annually to Goa’s balmy shores are plentiful in this tiny, glorious slice of India hugging the country’s western coastline bounded by the Arabian Sea. This is one of the best one day road trips from Bangalore.
Distance: 650 km
Time taken: 10 Hours
22. Gandikota
Gandikota, a small hamlet on the right bank of Pennar, is one of the best offbeat places near Bangalore for a day out. Glamorized by a fort made of red stones, bordered by deep and rocky gorge — it is a perfect place to feel the “Indian Grand Canyon” effect. Your mental health will thank you later for this spiritual retreat. Don’t forget to invite your friends!
Distance: 280 kms
Time taken: 5.5 hours
23. Kunti Betta
For the adventurists, Kunti Betta is impeccable. Being a hillock range overseeing the Pandavapura settlement, this place is famous for trekking and rock climbing. Precisely, Kunti Betta is among the few offbeat places around of Bangalore that offer options for night trekking. You will thoroughly enjoy yourself. Make sure to pack the essentials for the trip.
Distance: 130 km
Time taken: 2.5 hours
24. Doddamakali
Good news for nature lovers! Doddamakali is a place surrounded by charming landscapes and is a perfect site for nature camping. Also called “bird’s paradise”, this offbeat place around Bangalore is located near river Cauvery. Tranquil and rugged topography has made it one of the most preferred names in the list of famous offbeat places around Bangalore.
Distance: 114.6 kms
Time taken: 2.5 hours
25. Karighatta
Karighatta is an ancient hill near Srirangapatna. It encloses an age-old temple of Vishnu and river Lokapavani, a tributary of Cauvery. You will have the time of your life here. Make sure to invite friends to this wonderful trip. If you ever feel bogged down by the distance and do not want to be behind the wheel throughout the journey, hire a cab.
Distance: 125.4 kms
Time taken: 2.5 hours
26. Bylakuppe
Bylakuppe is the Tibetan Refugee resettlement of Mysore district. The Golden Temple in Bylakuppe is a place for Tibetan expatriates. It is also a learning and preaching hub for Tibetan Buddhism in South India. Make sure to pack all the essentials for your trip and don’t forget to check the car for leaks before embarking on a car journey. Have a fun ride.
Distance: 214 kms
Time taken: 5 hours
Suggested Read: List Of 32 Best Cafes In Bangalore For A Wonderful Vacation
27. Nandi Hills
Image Credit: Yasmeen Syeda for wikimedia commons
Nandi Hills is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Bangalore. You can easily drive or ride your bike to the hills and enjoy the salubrious weather in the hills. It is a perfect place for friends and couples to take a break from the mundane city life. You will find numerous world-class hotels and resorts to spend your weekend in luxury and comfort.
Distance: 61 km
Time taken: 1 hour 30 minutes
28. Gokarna
Image Credit: Axis of Eran for wikimedia commons
If you and your group of friends are done with Goa, then you all can take a road trip to Gokarna instead. The lesser commercial beach destination than Goa, Gokarna is an amazing place for hippies. Enjoy a laid back weekend with your friends on the beach. You can go swimming on Kudle beach or gaze at the sunset at Om Beach while sipping on the beers.
Distance: 485 km
Time taken: 9 hours
Suggested Read: 11 Adventure Sports In Bangalore That You Must Try To Fuel That Adrenaline
29. Dandeli
Image Credit: Vijayanarasimha for pixabay
If you are looking for weekend getaways from Bangalore packed with adventure and thrill, then Dandeli has you covered. Home to a variety of wildlife, mountains, and wild rivers, Dandeli is a destination for thrill seekers. It is most famous for river rafting in Kali River and camping by the riverside. One can also xplore trails in the deciduous forests. Hop on a wildlife safari in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary to greet the wild from up, close, and personal.
Distance: 461 km
Time taken: 9 hours
30. Chikmagalur
Image Credit: Mallikarjuna Sarvala for wikimedia commons
Pining for some fresh air and lush greenery? Well, then take your car to Chikmagalur. Located in the foothills of Mullayanagiri Hills, Chikmagalur is where your next weekend getaway from Bangalore awaits. While the tranquility of the place will put you at ease, the various trekking trails in the woods will provide you with adventure and thrill. There are numerous attractions in Chikmagalur too that you can cover during your sightseeing experience.
Distance: 243 km
Time taken: 4 hours 17 minutes
Suggested Read: 14 Picnic Spots Near Bangalore Perfect For Creating Travel Memories With Buddies
31. Mysore
Image Credit: Akanksha Singh9 for wikimedia commons
If you are a culture-vulture, then ride your bikes to Mysore from Bangalore. Mysore is full of exciting things to explore. It makes a great escape when you are bored of exploring places in Bangalore and need a break from it. There are several attractions in Mysore like Mysore Palace, Wonderla, toy city Channapatna. There are several eating joints where you can gorge on delicious food.
Distance: 143 km
Time taken: 3 hours
32. Ramanagara
Image Credit: Radhika Kochhar for wikimedia commons
If you do not want to drive long distances for a weekend getaway, then you can head to Ramanagara. A paradise for rock climbers and hikers, Ramanagara provides exciting opportunities of adventure and thrill.the big boulders and lush greenery surprisingly make it an amazing place to visit near Bangalore.
Distance: 50 km
Time taken: 1 hour
Suggested Read: 15 Awe-Inspiring Churches In Bangalore That’ll Leave You All Impressed
33. Bheemeshwari
Image Credit: Ashwin Kumar for wikimedia commons
Enjoy the calm and quietude of nature just 100 km away from Bangalore in Bheemeshwari. The place is surrounded by lush greenery of jungles with a water stream flowing through. It won’t be wrong to say that it is a perfect place to hang out amidst nature. The place makes you forget about all the worries and gives you a much-needed break from the mundane life.
Distance: 100 km
Time taken: 2 hours
34. Savandurga
Image Credit: Shyamal for wikimedia commons
Savanadurga is known for having the largest single rock formations in Asia. The place will enthrall you with its scenic beauty and adventurous vibe. If you are a thrill-seeker, then you can indulge in rock climbing activities. Night time is the best time to trek to the top of the rock because then you can enjoy watching the spectacular sunrise. It will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life.
Distance: 48 km
Time taken: 1 hour 30 minutes
Suggested Read: 16 Lively Markets In Bangalore That Are Sure To Spoil You With Choices
35. Hogenakkal Falls
Image Credit: Mithun Kundu for wikimedia commons
Hogenakkal Falls needs no introduction. What it needs for you to drive down there from Bangalore and admire its enthralling beauty in awe. The spectacular falls will leave your jaws dropped with its amazing backdrop and thundering roars. It has been a shooting location for many Bollywood movies. Don’t worry if you do not have your own car or bike because it is one place near Bangalore where you can reach via public transport.
Distance: 127 km
Time taken: 3 hours
Further Read: 58 Fabulous Places To See In A Day Around Bangalore
Know of an offbeat location for a road trip from Bangalore? Share with us in comments below. Book your trip to Bangalore with TravelTriangle and embark on one of these road trips from Bangalore right away! A mini getaway to these places is the best way to beat your summer blues. It doesn’t get any better than this. We promise you will remember this trip all your life.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Road Trips From Bangalore
Where can I go for a weekend trip from Bangalore?
Some of the best places to visit near Bangalore are: Ooty, Kunoor, Coorg and Pondicherry.
How is the road from Bangalore to Yercaud?
Yercaud is 230 km away from Bangalore and takes about 4 to 5 hours drive. The roads are in fine condition however, a little expertise in driving on hilly trails is good for a smooth journey.
How far is Yelagiri from Bangalore?
Yelagiri is 162 km away from Bangalore and it takes about 3.5 hours to reach the hill station.
Which is the coldest place to visit near Bangalore?
Horsley Hills which is 145 km away from Bangalore is the coldest place to visit near Bangalore. The temperature fluctuates between 10 to 22 degree centigrade in winters.
What is the best time to go for a road trip from Bangalore?
Owing to the fact that there are numerous places to visit near Bangalore ranging from beaches to hills, one can go on a weekend trip any time of the year. However, October to March are some of the best traveling seasons.
