India rewards drivers with big skies, bigger stories, and highways that stitch together eras. This 14-day itinerary threads central, northern, and western India: from orange-capital Nagpur and medieval Gwalior to the spiritual banks of Haridwar and Rishikesh, then pink-hued Jaipur, shimmering Udaipur, and basalt masterpieces at Ellora.

March is festival season. In the hills, the Phool Dei mood arrives; in Rajasthan, Gangaur rituals build to a crescendo in Jaipur and Udaipur. Expect cool mornings on the Ganga, warm afternoons in the desert, and spring blossoms in Mussoorie and Landour.

Practicalities: You’ll rely on access‑controlled corridors—the Samruddhi Mahamarg (ME‑2), NH 44, and NH 48—with predictable fuel and food plazas. Keep FASTag topped up, start drives at dawn, and aim to descend hill roads before dark. The food notes below bias toward clean, local favorites drivers love.

Days 1–2: Thane → Nagpur (ME‑2) → Gwalior (NH 44/46)

Roll onto the Samruddhi Mahamarg (ME‑2)—a fully operational, 6‑lane access‑controlled corridor that compresses Maharashtra’s breadth into an 8-hour glide (~700 km). Plan refuels and meals at the Nashik and Aurangabad interchanges; expect spotless restrooms and predictable timing.

Day 2, continue ~680 km (10–11 h) via NH 44/46 past Seoni and Sagar to Gwalior. Aim for the evening Sound‑and‑Light show at the hilltop fort—Rajput bastions floodlit against the sky make the long drive worth it.

Nagpur

Nagpur sits at India’s geographic center, a citrus hub with a serious spice kick. Use it as a rest stop to reset before the long northern haul.

• What to see (brief): Zero Mile Stone, Deekshabhoomi stupa, and a night stroll at Futala Lake.
• Eat & drink: Start with tarri poha at Haldiram’s Sadar (Nagpur’s own), dig into fiery Saoji mutton at Shankar Saoji or Veer Sawarkar Saoji, and cool off with an orange barfi from Haldiram’s.
• Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Nagpur or hotels on Hotels.com Nagpur.
• Getting there / onward: Thane→Nagpur drive ~8 h via ME‑2. If flying instead, compare fares on Trip.com flights; trains via Trip.com trains.

Gwalior

Tomar kings and Mughal legends converge at Gwalior Fort, a sandstone citadel wrapped in turquoise tiles and lore. By night, the Sound‑and‑Light show animates centuries of sieges and serenades.

• Top sights: Gwalior Fort (Man Singh Palace’s glazed tiles), Sas Bahu Temples, Teli Ka Mandir, and Scindia chhatris. The Jai Vilas Palace showcases late 19th‑century opulence.
• Eat & drink: Breakfast on bedai‑sabzi with jalebi at SS Kachoriwala; try lambi pani puri at Phoolbagh; dinner at Indian Coffee House (retro comfort) or Captain’s Café near Fort Road.
• Stay: See options on VRBO Gwalior and Hotels.com Gwalior.
• Onward: Gwalior→Mau ~435 km (6–7 h) via NH 44 → NH 27/NH 19. Quick refuels/food around Jhansi, Kanpur bypass, and Sultanpur belts.

Days 3–5: Gwalior → Mau and two easy, family-focused days

Make a purposeful dash to Mau (~6–7 h). Use the next two days to decompress: local temples, markets, and preparations for the Uttarakhand leg. Service your vehicle, stock motion-sickness meds and snacks, and pre-book Haridwar parking if possible.

Mau

Mau’s pace is gentle: street snacks, sari markets, and temple bells at dusk. It’s an ideal reset between long highway runs.

• Local time: Visit Hanuman Mandir and Shiv Mandir, walk the main bazaar for handloom finds, and sample evening chaat and kulfi.
• Eat & drink: Breakfast at Sharma Misthan Bhandar (kachori, jalebi), veg thalis at Shri Ram Bhojanalaya, and hot milk at a neighborhood doodh stall.
• Stay: If you’re not with family, check VRBO Mau or Hotels.com Mau.
• Onward: Mau→Haridwar ~630 km (10–11 h) via NH 27 → NH 334 (Lucknow → Bareilly → Roorkee). Enter Haridwar before the evening Aarti rush; parking near Shivalik Nagar or the outskirts helps.

Days 6–8: Haridwar ↔ Rishikesh, with a Mussoorie day loop

Arrive Haridwar by late afternoon for the Har Ki Pauri Ganga Aarti—arrive 60–90 minutes early, secure parking on the southern side, and carry only essentials. The next days flow between Haridwar’s temples and Rishikesh’s ashrams, bridges, and café culture.

Pick a clear day for the Rishikesh → Mussoorie → Rishikesh loop (120–150 km; 4–6 h). Catch sunset from Gun Hill, taste Landour’s baked goods, and descend before dark.

Haridwar & Rishikesh

Haridwar is devotion in motion—brass lamps, flower boats, and hymns by the Ganga. Upstream, Rishikesh folds yoga, trekking, and river adventure into Himalayan views and vegetarian cafés.

• Essentials: Har Ki Pauri Aarti, Mansa Devi by ropeway, Chandi Devi, tranquil walks along the ghats, and in Rishikesh, Ram Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, and Beatles Ashram murals.
• Eat & drink: In Haridwar: Mohan Ji Puri Wale (aloo puri), Hoshiyar Puri (chole bhature), and Mathura Walon Ki Prachin Dukaan (lassi). In Rishikesh: Chotiwala (classic veg thali), Little Buddha Café (river views), The Sitting Elephant (rooftop North Indian), and Ayurpak (home-style sattvic meals).
• Adventure & culture (bookable):

Ashram Tour By Walk in Rishikesh (Private Tour): An intimate, guide-led walk through historic ashrams and riverfront life. View on Viator

Kunjapuri Sunrise Trek + Neer Waterfall: Start above the clouds with Himalayan views, then descend through villages to jungle pools. View on Viator

Half-Day Rafting (26 km): Professionally guided whitewater on the Ganga—spring flows are lively yet friendly for fit first-timers. View on Viator

Guided Food Walking Tour: Taste the city’s best chaats, sweets, and hidden veggie spots with stories woven in. View on Viator

• Wildlife optional: Rajaji National Park’s Ranipur Zone is known for leopard signings; safaris are seasonal.

  

  View on Viator
• Stay: VRBO Haridwar, VRBO Rishikesh; hotels via Hotels.com Haridwar and Hotels.com Rishikesh.
• Logistics: If flying into Dehradun (DED) to start here, prebook a private transfer: DED→Rishikesh Private Taxi (Viator).

Mussoorie & Landour (day loop)

British‑era bungalows, Deodar-scented lanes, and cinnamon rolls in Landour make for a timeless day trip. Keep an eye on afternoon mist; depart Rishikesh early, return before dark.

• Do: Mall Road for people‑watching, Gun Hill for sunset, and a Dehradun detour to Tapkeshwar Mahadev if time permits.
• Guided walk:

Landour Infinity Walk: Stories, slopes, and colonial corners with a local expert. View on Viator

• Eat & drink: Landour Bakehouse (pastries), Char Dukan (banana pancakes), Kalsang (Tibetan noodles and momos) on Mall Road.

Days 9–10: Rishikesh → Jaipur (NH 334 → EPE → Delhi–Jaipur Expressway) and the Gangaur build‑up

The 800 km push (12–13 h) is civilized: NH 334 to the Eastern Peripheral Expressway (excellent food plazas and clean restrooms), then the Delhi–Jaipur Expressway to NH 48. Fuel up before the EPE, and plan meals at signed plazas to save time.

In Jaipur, watch neighborhoods prepare Gangaur idols. Visit Amber early, then Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and a contemplative hour at Birla Mandir.

Jaipur

The Pink City blends Rajput geometry with royal pomp—havelis, observatories, and courtyards bathed in desert light. Festival days lace lanes with folk processions and songs of love and spring.

• Top sights: Amber Fort (Sheesh Mahal mirrors), Hawa Mahal’s honeycomb windows, Jantar Mantar’s stone instruments, City Palace galleries, and sunset at Nahargarh.
• Eat & drink: Breakfast at LMB (ghewar, kachori), snacks at Rawat Mishthan (pyaaz kachori), veg dinner at Spice Court or Handi; for a culture‑rich evening consider Chokhi Dhani (folk shows, thali).
• Stay: VRBO Jaipur and Hotels.com Jaipur.
• Onward: Jaipur→Udaipur ~400 km (6–7 h) via NH 48/58/27, with detours to Ajmer Sharif and Pushkar’s Brahma Temple if you have the time buffer.

Days 11–12: Jaipur → Udaipur; Gangaur day in the lake city

Glide through the Aravallis to Udaipur. Golden hour is for Lake Pichola—boats tracing ripples by City Palace and the lights of Jag Mandir appearing like a mirage.

On Gangaur (Mar 31), the Old City hums with processions and traditional attire. Choose a respectful vantage point near Gangaur Ghat; follow local guidance for photography and space.

Udaipur

Whitewashed lanes, stepwells, and palaces hugging blue water—Udaipur is India’s postcard of romance. In spring, Gangaur turns the old quarters into living galleries.

• Top sights: City Palace Museum, Jagdish Temple carvings, sunset boat on Lake Pichola, and an evening stroll around Fateh Sagar.
• Eat & drink: Dinner at Ambrai (Amet Haveli) facing the lake; North Indian at Khamma Ghani; strong coffee and views at Jheel’s Ginger Coffee Bar; legendary veg thali at Natraj Dining Hall.
• Stay: VRBO Udaipur and Hotels.com Udaipur.
• Onward (condensed leg): To keep this to 14 days, drive Udaipur→Aurangabad in one day (~600–650 km; 10–11 h) via NH 27/48 past Vadodara (fuel and food at expressway plazas). Start at dawn.

Days 13–14: Udaipur → Aurangabad/Ellora → Thane (wrap‑up)

Base in Aurangabad to explore the UNESCO‑listed Ellora Caves and offer prayers at Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, both near Verul village. Cave 16 (Kailasa) is a monolithic marvel—chiselled top‑down from a single basalt cliff.

On Day 14, return to Thane (~350 km; 6–7 h) via NH 160/61. If timing allows, pause near Nashik’s Samruddhi interchange for a final coffee and clean restrooms before metropolitan traffic.

Aurangabad & Ellora

Aurangabad is gateway to rock‑cut genius: Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain caves interlaced across centuries. It’s also home to Mughlai eats and Deccan sweetness.

• Top sights: Ellora Caves (esp. Kailasa—Cave 16), Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, Daulatabad Fort’s hill climb, and Bibi ka Maqbara (the “Deccan Taj”).
• Eat & drink: Try naan qalia (Mughal‑Deccan stew) at Yalla Yalla or Tara Pan Centre for local sweets; easy veg thali at Bhoj; biryani from Green Leaf.
• Stay: VRBO Aurangabad and Hotels.com Aurangabad.
• Back to base: Aurangabad→Thane ~6–7 h. If you’re considering public transport back, compare options on Trip.com flights or trains.

Road Notes & Logistics (quick‑use)

• Fuel & food plazas: ME‑2 (Nashik/Aurangabad interchanges); EPE/DJE (multiple plazas with clean facilities). Keep cash backup for smaller tolls; FASTag handles most.
• Hill safety: Mussoorie descent before dark; watch for fog in late afternoons. In Haridwar, aim to park away from Har Ki Pauri core (Shivalik Nagar side or designated lots).
• Estimated tolls & costs: For long highway days, budget ₹1,000–₹2,500 in tolls, fuel per 1,000 km depending on vehicle efficiency, and ₹500–₹1,000 per meal stop for a family of 2–3 at highway plazas.
• Plan B options: Last‑minute regional flights and trains can be compared on Trip.com flights and Trip.com trains.

Suggested Nightly Flow (14 Days)

• Day 1: Thane → Nagpur
• Day 2: Nagpur → Gwalior (Sound‑and‑Light)
• Days 3–5: Gwalior → Mau; Mau (2 days)
• Day 6: Mau → Haridwar (Har Ki Pauri Aarti)
• Day 7: Haridwar ↔ Rishikesh (temples, ashrams, food walk)
• Day 8: Rishikesh → Mussoorie → Rishikesh loop (Landour walk; descend before dark)
• Day 9: Rishikesh → Jaipur (EPE → DJE)
• Day 10: Jaipur (Gangaur build‑up, Amber, Hawa Mahal)
• Day 11: Jaipur → Udaipur (Ajmer/Pushkar detours optional)
• Day 12: Udaipur (Gangaur day)
• Day 13: Udaipur → Aurangabad/Ellora (long drive)
• Day 14: Ellora + Grishneshwar in the morning; Aurangabad → Thane

This spring road trip folds highways and heritage into one sweeping arc—Ganga hymns, Rajput palaces, and basalt temples chiselled from living rock. Use the notes above like a cockpit checklist: fuel here, turn there, eat this, watch that sunset. You’ll return with a map annotated by meals, miles, and memories.