Best night-drive routes in Indian cities

I have had the pleasure of experiencing these drives in a few cities and wanted to share my routes as well get your suggestions. Here are my perfect 'night-drive' routes with what to look out for.

BHPian iamitp recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have long been a fan of leisurely city night-drives ever since I learnt how to drive. After the Covid-19 pandemic, these drives have become my go-to relaxation and entertainment activity, especially on Saturday nights. In the absence of parties, movies, dining etc. a leisurely city night-drive with loved ones can be blissful. Especially when there are interesting sights on the route and sparse traffic. The tough-part is finding those perfect routes.

I have had the pleasure of experiencing these drives in a few cities and wanted to share my routes as well get your suggestions. Here are my perfect 'night-drive' routes with what to look out for:

PS: I should have taken more photos!

Delhi/NCR

- Tuglakabad Fort to Mehrauli route: Although the road isn't the smoothest or clearest and does have quite a few traffic signals, the majestic sight of a tastefully lit up Tughlaqabad Fort and the glittering edifice of the Qutub Minar more than makes up for it. Start at the Tughlaqabad Fort, for the a stunning approach-view of Qutub Minar as you cross Saket. Do stop at the bend in the road going towards Mehrauli Bus Depot for a romantic spot. Start before 9:30 PM as Qutub Minar's lights are switched off by 10:20 PM.

- Lodhi Road to Akshardham to Indraprastha: Butter smooth, almost signal-free road with moderate traffic. Enjoy the magnificent sights of a pearly Humayun's Tomb, Khan-i-Khan (Tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan) and Akshardham. Do try to go before 9 PM when Akshardham turns off most of its lights.

- Rajpath to Maulana Azad Road to Baba Kharag Singh Marg (on festivals): Another butter-smooth road with minimal traffic, you will enjoy the iconic sights of the tricolor-lit India Gate and the grand Rashtrapati Bhavan. Around festivals like Diwali, Gurupurab and Christmas, you'll also enjoy a brightly lit Connaught Place, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Note: Currently Rajpath is closed due to Central Vista Project.

- Outer Ring Road: I like to turn into Netaji Subhash Marg for gawking at the massive facade of the brilliantly lit Red Fort before taking an exit via Shantivana Marg to ORR and continuing towards the Signature Bridge aka Delhi's mini Sea (river) Link.

Note: Netaji Subhash Marg is presently one-way due to ongoing heritage renovations of the area.

- Special mentions: Drive on Mathura Road just to see ASI's latest and best lighting effort in Delhi at Khan-i-Khana from up close. Drive on Chhatarpur Mandir Marg during Navratra to see all the temples lit up gloriously. Drive to Aerocity for the beautiful Balaji Hanuman temple - one of the rare South Indian stye temples in Delhi which is also lit up. For Sunday afternoon day-time, Golf Course Road Gurgaon to Mangar to Chhatarpur: Especially during monsoons to experience the lush beauty of the Aravallis without even leaving the NCR. Wouldn't recommend Damdama lake though as it is over commercialised and there isn't much to begin with.

Chennai

- Rajaji Salai to Beach Road: I usually start at the Police Commissioner's office on Marina Beach road and then drive past the beautiful colonial beachfront government buildings, Napier bridge and art-deco architecture around George Town. During weekend day-trips, I'll drive as far as the piers near Ennore and venture on foot into the sea.

- Foreshore Estate to Elliot's Beach: The closest a road gets to the sea in Chennai at Foreshore estate, marvel at the Santhome Church and enjoy the verdant greens of Adyar and Beasant Nagar. During day-time, you could also venture to the 'Broken bridge' on the Adyar river estuary.

- ECR Thiruvanmiyur to Mahabalipuram: So many sights on the way but the Bay of Bengal over Casuarinas and the Shore Temple at Mahabs alone make it worthwhile. My favorite beach on this route is at Neelankarai.

Special mention: Anna Nagar (where I once lived) to Chennai Central on Poonamallee High just for the views of Central and Ripon building.

Kolkata

- Couldn't drive so took an Uber from Oberoi Grand (where we were staying) to Princep Ghat to Vidyasagar Setu to Howrah to Esplanade and back. Uber driver was pretty surprised but a great sport. The bill was way too low for the distance so I generously tipped him (without being asked) to make it worth his while.

Jaipur

- Pleasantly surprised with how 'night drive' friendly Jaipur was, earlier this year. We started from Hawa Mahal and drove to the Nahargarh Fort for a stunning view and then to gorgeously lit Albert Hall Museum and then to Jawahar Circle; really enjoyed driving on Jaipur's fantastic and W-I-D-E Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg.

Hyderabad

- At night, a round-trip around Hussain Sagar is perfect. During the day, I really enjoyed venturing to Taj Falaknuma for their tea-ritual and enjoying sunset over the Deccan's rocky skyline on IRR and ORR.

Here's what BHPian Nav-i-gator had to say on the matter:

For one of the best illuminated roads and probably the most "foreign look", you start from Shankar chowk/cyber city to golf course road. The entire stretch is brilliantly lit, butter smooth, multi-lane roads with proper signange, glittering office buildings on both sides, high-rise apartments and condos, multiple, well-lit underpasses and roundabouts, pubs, bars, malls and rapid Metro along the road as well. Not very safe very late at night though.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Mumbai

- Start at Nariman Point. If you're coming from the suburbs, then use the Freeway as that is a fun drive in itself to reach Nariman Point.

- Park car at Nariman Point. Admire its looks & design from various angles. Sit on the edge and enjoy the ocean view.

- Cruise on Marine Drive, then go up to Malabar Hill -> Hanging Gardens -> Peddar Road.

- Thereon to Worli SeaFace -> Bandra Worli Sealink -> Western Express Highway -> International Airport Road.

- If you still want to roam some more, from here, either go to Juhu or Bandra and cruise around the little lanes (very very charming), Carter Road & Band Stand. If you prefer the highway, then keep driving toward Dahisar on the Western Express itself.

We do this all the time . Although I now prefer cruising around empty Bombay early in the morning than late at night. Both have their own unique charm, but I prefer the mornings more - related thread.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.