Road Trips from Chennai You Must Experience
Chennai is an important city in India. It is located in the southern part of the country, on the Eastern Coastal Plains, and bordered on one side by the Bay of Bengal. It has some of the most amazing beaches, including Juhu and Marina.
However, if you’re living in the city or have been there several times, you might want a change of scenery once in a while. We think that a road trip might be a great idea!
If you think the same, then this is the right place for you! Here are some of the most adventurous road trips from Chennai you must experience in your next visit!
Yelagiri
Easy-paced and lush green fields along the way, Yelagiri is a hill station, perfectly lovely for people riding by bikes or cars. It is situated 230 km from Chennai, away from the chaos and bustle of busy city life, and quite restful. It is a great road trip from Chennai to go on with your family.
The best time to go on this road trip is from November to February. The entire distance takes about 5 to 6 hours. The main attractions here are the Yelagiri Adventure Camp, Nature park, and Jalagamparai.
Tharangambadi
Also known as Tranquebar, Tharangambadi is a tiny beach town in the estate of Tamil Nadu. Chennai to Tharangambadi is one of the best road trips from Chennai for seekers of adventure. The place is peaceful and relaxing, with the quiet waters of the Bay of Bengal. It is located at the junction of the Kaveri River and the Bay of Bengal, on the Coromandel Coast.
The name “Tharangambadi” means “land of swinging waves” – an apt name for a romantic getaway with your partner, away from city life for a quiet weekend. This place has a tranquil landscape with great weather and Danish streaks. The entire journey takes about 6 to 7 hours. The main attractions here are the Zion Church, the Town Gate, Fort Dansburg, and the Danish Museum.
Vellore
Another epic road trip from Chennai is to Vellore, by car or by bike. It is located just under 1160 km from Chennai. It is a great place for seekers of spirituality. Here, beliefs have more control, since most followers of Hinduism believe that Lord Murugan, the god of war, will appear in this place.
According to legend, once there were many babul trees (known locally as “velan”), which is how it was named “Vellore”.
Vellore has both a spiritual as well as a cultural aspect. It is one of the holiest of places in the subcontinent. It has an interesting mix of heritage and culture, since it was ruled by different dynasties across time.
This place is also called “Second Madras” because of its strategic importance, relative to Madras (also called Chennai)—it is well connected with many major cities in the present-day states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. It lived through several dynasties and also witnessed the colonial rule of Britain. It is also known for its Dravidian Civilization.
There are several tourist attractions in Vellore, including the Vellore Fort, Central Jail where freedom fighters were imprisoned, and the Christian Medical College & Hospital founded in 1900.
Nellore
Nellore is one of the most exotic and charming places to travel by road from Chennai. It is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, about 152 km from Chennai, taking nearly 3 hours of travel. You can find beaches, waterfalls, temples, and bird sanctuaries here, where you can be one with nature and spend a long weekend with your partner or your family.
One legend states that Nellore got its name from a stone lingam that was placed under an emblica tree (“nelli” in Tamil). Another states that it got its name from the extensive cultivation of paddy (“nell” in Telugu).
Nellore was ruled by several dynasties, the major and most important was being of Emperor Ashoka in ancient times. The famous political leader, Potti Sriramulu, hailed from here.
Major attractions in Nellore are Pulicat Lake, Mypadu Beach, and Ranganatha Temple.
Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram, a beach temple-town, is best known for its caves and its temples. It is a road trip of just about 60 km from Chennai, along the Coromandel Coast and the Bay of Bengal, and takes about 1 or 2 hours to reach. It is home to some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, and Arjuna’s Penance Rock. The town is also called Mamallapuram.
For seekers of adventure, surfing is a popular sport here.
The best time to visit Mahabalipuram is between the months of October and March.
History buffs would be interested in the rock-cut Pallava-era temples and monuments in Mahabalipuram. Today, these structures still exist to tell us the story of the ancient and medieval Indians based in the southern part of the subcontinent—their culture, their politics, their rulers, and their traditions.
These are some of the epic road trips from Chennai you should go on your next trip to Chennai. Plan your next flights to MAA from SFO now, only with Indian Eagle!
