Best Route and Planning Tips for a Safe Road Trip from Bangalore to Lucknow Despite the Pandemic

Planning a road trip from Bangalore to Lucknow is an exciting adventure, especially when you aim to avoid hotels and instead sleep in your car at safe overnight parking spots. With the ongoing COVID-19 situation, ensuring your safety and comfort is crucial. Here are some pointers to help you plan your trip effectively.

Update: Recent Road Trip Experience

I have recently completed a road trip from Lucknow to Bangalore, and I recommend using the route via Chitrakoot for a more comfortable and scenic journey. This route offers a different perspective and potentially better road conditions, making the trip more enjoyable. For a detailed guide on this route, you can watch this video.

Recommended Route: Bangalore to Lucknow via Chitrakoot

Based on my previous experiences and the latest updates, the following route is safe and well-maintained:

From Bangalore: Head towards the Electronic City and continue on the Nehru Outer Ring Road. After crossing the border into Telangana, take the Adilabad route towards Maharashtra. Next stop is Nagpur, where you can take a break and refuel. From Nagpur, follow the NH44 to Chindwara, then continue to Sagar, and finally reach Jhansi. Once in Jhansi, you can take the state highway to Lucknow.

This route covers a distance of approximately 1200 km, and the total travel time is around 2.5 days, with overnight stays as necessary.

Planning Your Trip

Here are some helpful tips to ensure your road trip is both safe and enjoyable:

Economy Driving

Adapting to 'economy driving' is vital for safety and fuel efficiency. Stick to the marked speed limits on your speedometer and avoid unnecessary speeding. This will help you save fuel and ensure a smoother journey.

Overnight Parking and Safety

It is crucial to park safely overnight. Some recommended places to park and rest include:

Adilabad: This city offers a good option for overnight stays, with multiple safe parking spots and basic amenities. Sagar: Another ideal location to rest and refuel during your journey. Jhansi: This town is known for its safety and offers a variety of parking spots.

Essential Supplies

To keep your journey comfortable and safe, make sure you carry the following items:

Adequate amount of pure drinking water. Stock of non-perishable food items. A minimum of 5 liters of petrol. A stepney in case you need a spare tire.

Also, gather comprehensive information about the boarding and lodging facilities available along the route. This will help you plan your stops and ensure you have everything you need.

Consider Using Other Routes

While the route via Chitrakoot is highly recommended, there are alternative options as well:

Lucknow-Raebareli-Chitrakoot-Satna-Katni-Jabalpur Bypass-Nagpur-Adilabad-Nizamabad-Hyderabad-Kurnool-Ananthapur-Penukonda-Chikballapur-Yelaghanka-Hebbal: This route, though longer, offers great safety and good road conditions. Bangalore-Mumbai-Surat-Udaipur-Ajmer-Jaipur-Agra-Lucknow: This route is long but safe and has good roads.

Note: I don't find the highways in Madhya Pradesh (MP) to be entirely safe. So, it's best to stick to well-maintained state highways and national routes.

Final Thoughts

By following these tips, you can ensure that your road trip from Bangalore to Lucknow is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Remember to plan early and stay prepared for any unexpected challenges. Safe travels!