Mount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan. I visited this hill station in my childhood but wasn’t aware that it is the sole hill station of India’s largest state, in terms of area, i.e., Rajasthan. It is nestled in the Aravali Range and boasts a stunning landscape and wonderful weather throughout the year. During summers, many tourists from Gujarat and Rajasthan throng to Mount Abu to beat the heat. We did, except we started from Mumbai.
Mumbai To Mount Abu Rajasthan– Road Trip Itinerary
Mumbai to Mount Abu distance via road is approximately 750 km. Depending on the traffic situation, it takes around 15 hours of driving without any halts (OMG). You will find many YouTube videos with visitors driving nonstop to reach Mount Abu in a day. But we prefer a more relaxed traveling, to explore cities and experience their flavor as we pass. So, while this itinerary is a little long, it can help you plan your ideal road trip to Mount Abu.
Day 1 – Mumbai to Surat, Gujarat
Seated in our automatic car, we started from our home to arrive at Surat. The roads on NH-48 were undergoing repair work, and some lanes were closed. That caused heavy traffic starting from the Ghodbunder road. Once we crossed the Maharashtra border, the roads became smooth, and traffic eased. On day 1, we covered approximately 300 km, which took us around 10 hours. Fortunately, we had relatives stationed in Surat, so we didn’t need to look for accommodation here.
Breakfast halt: Hotel Fountain, National Highway 8, near Varsava, Versova, Mira Bhayandar
Lunch halt: Hotel Ahura, NH 48, Ambivali Tarf Bahare, Maharashtra
Day 2 – Surat to Ahmedabad
On day 2, we departed from Surat for the city of Ahmedabad, which was 270 km away and took us around 5 hours with one halt. The roads were exceptionally smooth as we traveled on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway. If only all roads were that good throughout the journey. We had an entire evening to explore Ahmedabad.
Considering the May heat, we first opted to get some rest in a budget hotel, and then we ventured out to explore the Sabarmati Riverfront area post-sunset. The hotel proved to be decent for a one-night stay, especially considering the cost was under 2k. We spent a delightful evening at the beautifully planned destination – Sabarmati Riverfront.
Lunch halt: Purohit Dining And Banquet, Swaminarayan College Rd, Kankaria, Maninagar, Ahmedabad. Don’t miss yummy Gujarati Thali here!
Stay halt: Hotel Maple Inn, Devnandan Mega Mall, Ashram Rd, Ahmedabad,
Things to see at Sabarmati Riverfront Park – Atal Bridge and Flower Park.
Day 3 – Ahmedabad to Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Finally, on day 3, we set out from Ahmedabad to cover the 225-odd kilometers to reach Mount Abu. It took us around five hours to reach our destination, with one halt at a local highway Dhaba for breakfast. The roads leading up to the hill station are well-maintained and there was minimal traffic. It was wonderful to see that even in the hilly terrain, the roads were wide enough for comfortable two-way traffic.
I was in two minds before starting the journey, considering that most roads in hilly areas are narrow with lots of turns. However, I was happy with our decision to venture on a road trip. The roads in Mount Abu are wonderful to drive on, even for novice drivers or first-timers on a road trip.
Stay halt at Mount Abu – Club Mahindra Mount Abu, Hummingbird Resorts, Achalgardh Rd, Before Achleshwar Mahadev Temple, Mount Abu.
Lunch Halt: Honest Restaurant (pure vegetarian), Nakki Lake, Mount Abu.
At an altitude of 1200 meters, Mount Abu is popularly referred to as an oasis in the desert, as it is home to lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, along with several Hindu and Jain temples. Is 3 days enough for Mount Abu? Yes, indeed. We spent three nights at Mount Abu and visited the most popular tourist places. I will share the list of must-visit places in my next blog.
Mount Abu to Mumbai travel itinerary
On our return journey from Mount Abu to Mumbai, it took us two days.
Day 1 – Mount Abut to Bharuch
While returning, we aimed to cover as much distance as possible on day 1. So, we drove halfway, approximately 400 km, crossed Bharuch, and took a halt at Ankleshwar, a city famous as a hub for the petrochemicals industry.
On our way back, we explored the famous Ambaji Mata temple, a popular pilgrimage destination in Gujarat. That’s the beauty of road trips – on a random sunny morning, we spotted the signboards on the road, which led us to this temple situated near Abu Road. Being Friday, the crowd was huge, but we were delighted to visit the temple.
Stay halt: The Eastern Hotel, opp. Railway Station, GIDC, Ankleshwar, Gujarat
Surprisingly, the hotel was wonderful, with world-class amenities. At just Rs. 2100, we got a room with free breakfast. We checked in late at night, so we didn’t have much time to explore this city. Perhaps next time. However, this hotel is highly recommended due to its proximity to the highway.
Day 2 – Bharuch to Mumbai
After a relaxing stay at the hotel and belly full of delicious breakfast, we covered the distance of 300 km without much hassle. Our first stop was Parsi Dairy Farm, where I shopped while my daughter played at the farm.
Restroom halt: Dairyland Parlour – Parsi Dairy Farm, NH8, Nariman Nagar, Varwada, Maharashtra.
Lunch halt: Hotel Ahura, NH 48, Ambivali Tarf Bahare, Maharashtra
Final Words
In many Indian families, there’s a ritual of going on vacations in May. The usual choice, of course, is the mountains to escape the scorching summer. While the weather in Mount Abu was pleasant, especially in the mornings and evenings, we experienced a hot climate throughout the trip. Perhaps this road trip would have a different flavor in winter or monsoon. Nevertheless, writing about our road trip from Mumbai to Mount Abu and back fills me with nostalgia. I will soon share more about the places to visit in Mount Abu and my review of Club Mahindra Mount Abu Hummingbird Resort. Until next time, keep traveling.
