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Best Road Trips to Take near Bhopal

Sitting in Bhopal, if you wish to start the engine of the bike for a new place, then set your GPS for Vidisha. Just 57 km away from the capital city, this town is famous for its cultural heritage and historical monuments. Under the reign of the mighty Gupta empire, the history of the place is as astonishing as the view of the scenic road on a bike trip from Bhopal.

If you are an art lover or a fond traveller, the place won’t disappoint you. The city lies at the meeting point of the Betwa and the Beas River, so if you visit during September to March, the place will be as pleasant as the calm waters of these rivers.

The best route to follow is the Bhopal-Vidisha Highway, the reason being that the highway takes you through two major cities that you would definitely want to explore, the city of Balampur and Sanchi.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Balampur-Salamatpur-Sanchi-Vidisha.

Distance from Bhopal: 57 Km.

If history fascinates you, go explore these amazing historical places in Madhya Pradesh.

Pachmarhi has situated 194 km from the capital city, and this road trip near Bhopal is almost 5 hours long. There are two routes that can be taken from Bhopal to reach here. One, via Hoshangabad Road and MP SH 22, second, via NH45. The latter takes a bit more time but has more cities on its trails.

When you see that the sky is filled with clouds, it’s about to rain and you’re are in Bhopal, just know that you are in the best season to go on a trip to Pachmarhi. For those who count retrieval monsoon as actual monsoons, the best season talked about there is from April to October.

The best part of the trip is the moment when the open landscape changes into thick forests and the adrenaline just pumps into the body. The ‘Queen of Satpura’, the Panchmarhi plateau is a dream come true for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

If you plan a bike trip from Bhopal to here, don’t forget to carry food, water and camping gear with you.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Hoshangabad-Sohagpur-Pachmarhi.

Distance from Bhopal: 194 Km.

Where to Stay: Amazing resorts & places to stay in Pachmarhi.

The city of wisdom, Sanchi is just 48 km away from Bhopal. If road trips from Bhopal don’t send you on a journey to seek wisdom, then reroute yourself on the Bhopal-Vidisha highway to visit the city of Sanchi.

From the historic and famous Sanchi Stupa to the Buddhist incantations on various monuments in the city, words of wisdom and peace are left for you to decipher. Skip the summers and rest of the year is good enough to visit the place.

The place, constructed on the orders of King Ashoka, stands strong to this date and is an epitome of the Buddhist philosophy. The site is also marked by UNESCO as a ‘World Heritage Site’. If you fancy some nature on the way, then the Halali Dam is just around the highway and is open to tourists.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Balampur-Chhola-Sanchi.

Distance from Bhopal: 48 Km.

Also, check a few more places to go on a weekend outing near Bhopal.

10 hour 40 minutes, 555 km from Bhopal, Amarkantak is the ‘Teerthraj’ of Hindu pilgrimage. The region has a rich natural heritage and can be best enjoyed during the months of March and September. Tune into the ‘Maa-Rewa’ track by Indian ocean and watch the origination of the holy Narmada river from the Amarkantak hills.

The place is also the birth ground of the River Son and Johila and is the root of many folktales and poems about these rivers. Your road trip to this natural heaven will be amplified with rich forests and turbulent rivers, which you can find on any of the three routes available from Bhopal.

Although, there is an additional benefit of Satpura National Park if you opt for MP SH 44 and MP SH 22 Roads. The MP SH 22 road from Bhopal will take you through the city of Jabalpur which you cannot find if you are on the third route, the NH 45 Road.  

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Vidisha-Sagar-Jabalpur-Amarkantak.

The grandeur of forts, the serenity of the lake, Roopmati Pavilion, the rock-cut caves, the walls adorned with the paintings, all waiting for you to explore in the city of Mandu. Located 287 km from Bhopal, the place was founded in 11th century by Parmar rulers and was used as a fort capital.

A destination for the romantics, if you want to plan a bike trip from Bhopal, the tales of king Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati await you in the ruins of the palace. Since most historic cities are situated near the capital, Road trips near Bhopal are the best way to explore the cities of Madhya Pradesh.

If you are planning a trip, the best season to go is from October to April, when the sun is not too hot and the winds are refreshing. If you don’t mind a little detour on trips, then while travelling on the Indore-Bhopal Road, a slight right for NH 47 will add 1 hour to your 5-hour drive and will also provide a drastic change in the landscape.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Dewas-Indore-Mhow-Mandu.

Distance from Bhopal: 287 Km.

In the heart of India, along the banks of the holy Narmada River lies a beautiful stretch of nature called Hoshangabad. The place is renowned for its history and the natural marvels it holds within its bounds.

Earlier named as Narmadapuram after the river Narmada, it was renamed after the ruler of the place, Hoshang Shah. Connected with Bhopal via the 77.4 km long Hoshangabad Road, the place can be reached in an hour and 55 minutes.

The best time to visit the place is between the months of March to October, when the river is gushing and the road leading to the place is surrounded by seasonal ponds and lakes. The trip will have very few stops in the middle and a whole lot of nature to explore.

Just be mindful of the fact that the River Narmada tends to overflow during the monsoon, so it’s recommended to have a traffic update before heading out during monsoons.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Obaidullaganj-Bakhera-Hoshangabad.

Distance from Bhopal: 77.4 Km.

At the southern edge of the Vindhya Hills, a shelter of around 500 prehistoric rock caves is nestled between the lush green forest and waterfalls. If you are a historian, a nature lover, an adventurer or just a person seeking a getaway, Bhimbetka has everything to tease every sense in you.

At a distance of 45 km from Bhopal, the place is connected via the Hoshangabad Road.  Along the road you can find the Dahod reservoir towards the ride side, a little pause on the 1 hr 12 minutes journey and nature will come rushing for you.

The summers, from February to August are a good time to visit the place. The greenery increases and the hills blossom with flowers. Apart from the natural attractions, this place is no stranger to folklores and mythical Hindu tales.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Bhairopur-Kamkheda-Bhimbhetka.

Distance from Bhopal: 45 Km.

If you are not afraid of cave exploration, plan a trip to these amazing caves of Madhya Pradesh.

191 km away from Bhopal, the city of Ujjain is one of the biggest pilgrimage sites in India. Replete with temples devoted to Lord Shiva, the place is always crowded with devotees from all over the country. Road trips from Bhopal to Ujjain can be done via two roads, Indore-Bhopal road, and the Ujjain-Maksi road.

Each route has something different to offer and is also different in lengths. With 192 and 216 km long, respectively, both the trips, however, start near the Upper Lake in Bhopal. Seasons between September to March offer the best weather on these routes.

Unless you are a devotee, then a spiritual call is all that takes to motivate you to visit the city of Ujjain. The river Shipra that banks this city along with the historical monuments add on to the beauty of Ujjain.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Tilawad-Polay Kalan-Ujjain.

Distance from Bhopal: 191 Km.

Where to Stay: Here are some best resorts and places to stay in Ujjain.

Found 43 Km from Bhopal, 'Raisen Fort' stands tall and bold in Raisen town close to Sanchi. Built around 1200 AD, the fort served as a center for numerous traditions in the area, extending from Rajputs to Mughals to Nawabs of Bhopal.

Assaulted 14 times and looted never, the magnificent fort was the most impenetrable forts in Madhya Pradesh. If you like to explore as much as you can while on the road, then take the Bhopal-Vidisha highway to add 20 km on the journey.

This route will allow you to make a small stop near the Halali Dam, else take the NH146 for a straight 1 hr 46-minute drive unless you stop for a glimpse of the Betwa River. The best season to visit the place is from September to March.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Adampur-Sendora-Raisen Fort.

Distance from Bhopal: 43 Km.

214 km away from Bhopal, Chanderi is situated near the Rajghat reservoir on the Betwa River. The city is blessed with scenic beauty in and around it. If you have a thing for traditional Indian sarees, then the place offers exquisite handwoven Chanderi sarees.

The monsoons are the best time to visit the place on a road trip. With multiple stops along the way that are worthy of your time, the 4-hour journey will leave you spellbound. The best part of the trip along the Ashoknagar-Vidisha Road is the parallel flowing Betwa river, you get to see once you cross the city of Vidisha.

There is one more route available to reach this place, but missing the beautiful river running along your car is enough to make you stay away from the NH 44 road.

Route of the Trip: Bhopal-Vidisha-Ganj-Mungaoli-Chanderi.