When you are looking for a long drive from Chennai, think about the beautiful places to visit and enjoy with friends and family on your road trip. There are plenty of such spots to visit around Chennai, and these spots offer a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. Private beaches, great restaurants, exotic malls, and expansive gardens provide a peaceful escape from the city’s busy lifestyle. From savouring street food to watching movies in open theatres, Chennai always has something to offer, catering to the modern youth. Let’s explore some of the top travel destinations and tourist spots you can visit on a one-day road trip from Chennai.
Best road trips from Chennai
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is located 72 km from Chennai and is known as the “city of temples.” It is considered one of the seven sacred cities to visit in the country. In addition to its religious significance, this town is famous for its silk saree production, as thousands of handloom weavers depend entirely on the art of silk weaving for their livelihood. The city holds a strong place in Hinduism as it houses many world-famous Hindu temples like Kamakshi Temple, Varadharaja Swamy Temple, and Ekambaranathar Temple, which are testimonies of the ancient Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara Empires and their architecture.
Kanchipuram is also known for its famous “Athivaradhar Fest,” which attracts thousands of devotees irrespective of their language, caste, or colour and brings together Hindus from India and abroad every year. It takes just one and a half hours to reach Kanchipuram from Chennai by car. The temple city is well-connected to Chennai via buses and trains.
One of the oldest temples in the city is the Kailasanathar Temple, which sees plenty of visitors forming a queue to catch a glimpse of the deities. There are good hotels and lodges, so you don’t need to carry food if you are planning a road trip from Chennai. If you get a chance, visit the silk weavers and observe the effort they put into making silk garments, especially wedding sarees, which every Indian woman would love to own.
Pondicherry
One place that serves as an answer to the question “ What is the best viewpoint near me?” is Pondicherry, aka Pudhucheri. A Union Territory and once a French colony, Pondicherry is one of the most well-known places in southern India for a weekend getaway. The peaceful atmosphere and the beautiful, clean beach make Pondicherry an ideal road trip destination. Popular attractions in Pondicherry include Auroville, Gingee Fort, the Jawahar Toy Museum, and the impressive Promenade Beach, as well as a variety of high-quality beachfront resorts. Pondicherry is located 143 km from Chennai city and is easily accessible via the East Coast Road, which takes about 4 hours to travel. The French settlements near the beach still attract thousands of tourists every weekend and offer a delightful sight. The French architecture, designed to combat the hot Indian climate, stands as a testament to the clever architectural ideas implemented during that era. To this day, many government offices are housed in the old buildings constructed during the French regime in the 16th century. The drive to Pondicherry is scenic, allowing you to see the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal along the way, some of which offer boat safaris.
Vellore
Thinking about weekend getaways from Chennai by car? Here is your answer. You can reach Vellore within four hours of travel from Chennai by road, as it is located at a distance of 151 km from the capital city. The world-famous Vellore Fort is always a popular landmark in the city. Hindus believe that Vellore is where the Hindu god Lord Murugan appeared. The Rathinagiri Temple for Lord Murugan is located between Vellore and Chennai, and the small hill temple is believed to possess divine powers. People find positive vibes when they visit this temple to offer their prayers. The local temple festivals are quite noteworthy here. The Srilakshmi Golden Temple is another not-to-be-missed temple where you can witness the shrines covered in sheets of real gold. Vellore is famous for its scorching summer, and it is best advised to visit the town during the months of October to March. The world-famous CMC hospital is also located in Vellore, serving millions of patients across the country with state-of-the-art facilities.
Mahabalipuram
If you wonder with the question “What are the Chennai tourist places near me?”, then the immediate answer could be Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram is a coastal town located just 60 km from Chennai. Many people from Chennai are already familiar with what Mahabalipuram has to offer to its visitors. This South Indian destination boasts 6th and 7th century architectural monuments, exotic UNESCO heritage sites, breezy beaches, and hidden treasures like underwater animal parks all in one place. From international travellers to historians, school students, and archaeologists, Mahabalipuram has plenty of spots to astonish its visitors. It is a symbol of pride for every Tamilian, showcasing the architectural mastery of the artisans of the Pallava Dynasty followed by the Cholas. Attractions such as Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butterball, Five Rathas, rock-cut caves, the Tiger Cave, the crocodile and reptile bank, and the wonderful beach of the Bay of Bengal never fail to impress their fans. Every time you visit this coastal hamlet, you will still have some spots on your bucket list left to be visited next time. A trip to Mahabalipuram will soon become one of your best road trips from Chennai for sure.
Pichavaram Mangrove Forest
It takes only five hours drive from Chennai to reach Pichavaram. The Pichavaram Mangrove Forest near Chidambaram is one of the breathtaking natural wonders that captivates visitors with its unique blend of mangrove trees rooted in shallow waters and abundant biodiversity. As the world’s second-largest mangrove forest, Pichavaram offers a maze of over 400 water routes for exploring via rowing, kayaking, or canoeing. The intertwined Vellar and Coleroon river systems create the picturesque Killai backwater and Pichavaram mangroves, where nature enthusiasts can spot a diverse array of birds, including migrant and local species such as snipes, cormorants, and pelicans. With its rich biodiversity and stunning waterscape, Pichavaram is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an immersive natural experience. Nyantra Resorts is one of the famous resorts that offers you an excellent stay combined with a lot of activities. You can also visit Pichavaram during your stay in the luxury resort.
In addition, the mangrove forest supports a rich array of flora dominated by Rhizophora spp., Avicennia marina, Exocaria agallocha, Bruguiera cylindrica, Lumnitzera racemosa, Ceriops decandra, and Aegiceras corniculatum. If you are a nature lover, visit Pichavaram without a second thought. Exploring this intricate ecosystem not only offers a glimpse into the unique adaptations of mangrove vegetation but also provides an opportunity to witness the coexistence of marine and terrestrial habitats. Furthermore, the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest is accessible from the nearest railway station in Chidambaram and offers various boating options to explore its beauty. You can also reach Pichavaram from Pondicherry. From tranquil backwater cruises to thrilling water sports opportunities, visitors can immerse themselves in the serene and vibrant environment of Pichavaram. Whether one is a nature lover, bird enthusiast, or adventure seeker, Pichavaram offers an unforgettable experience and stunning visuals that showcase the intricate beauty of a mangrove ecosystem. If you are staying in some of the best resorts in Chennai for team outings, the resort staff guide you with travel packages to cover Pichavaram and celebrate small vacations with your colleagues.