12 Day Road Trip from Pune to Tamil Nadu: From Deccan to the Dravidian Heartland
This 12 day road trip from Pune to Tamil Nadu is a slow, immersive journey through Karnataka and deep into Tamil Nadu. The route blends smooth highways with winding hill roads, heritage towns with coastal promenades, and spiritual landmarks with quiet hill stations. Over twelve days, the journey covers iconic destinations such as Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Kodaikanal, and Yercaud, while still leaving room to pause, explore, and absorb the unique character of each region.
Tamil Nadu stands out as one of India’s most culturally rich and historically layered states. The influence of the Chola, Pandya, Pallava, and Nayak dynasties is visible everywhere, especially in magnificent temples, intricate stone carvings, and well-planned temple towns.
At the same time, the state offers remarkable diversity within short distances – sunrise views over the Bay of Bengal, lush hill stations like Kodaikanal and Yercaud, fertile river plains around the Cauvery delta, and vibrant cities that balance tradition with modern life.
Food plays a big role in the travel experience here. From traditional vegetarian meals served on banana leaves to bold Chettinad flavours and coastal seafood, every region adds its own taste to this itinerary.
Itinerary Summary
Tamil Nadu is a vast state, and covering all major destinations in one trip would be both hectic and time-consuming. During this journey, the focus stayed on cities and hill stations in the northern part of Tamil Nadu.
On this trip, we explored Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Kodaikanal, and Yercaud. We primarily drove along two major national highways NH48 and NH44.
NH48 stretches from Delhi to Chennai, passing through key cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore. NH44, on the other hand, is the longest highway in India, connecting Srinagar in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. Interestingly, both highways share a common stretch between Bangalore and Krishnagiri.
For most of our journey between Pune and Tamil Nadu, we relied on NH48. NH44 came into play while driving towards Pondicherry and again on the return leg from Kodaikanal to Bangalore.
The southernmost destinations –Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, and Madurai were intentionally left for a future trip. We also plan to explore Chennai, Mahabalipuram, and Tiruchirappalli as part of a separate visit.
Bangalore served as the main gateway to explore the region. Since my sister-in-law stays here, we planned our onward and return journeys to include Bangalore as a comfortable stop. The idea throughout the 12 day road trip from Pune to Tamil Nadu was to keep each driving leg within a target of 500 km or less.
| Day | Destination | Distance (km) | Time (hh:mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Pune >> Hubli | 430 | 07:00 |
| Day 2 | Hubli >> Bangalore | 410 | 07:00 |
| Day 3 | Bangalore >> Pondicherry | 310 | 06:00 |
| Day 4 | Pondicherry | ||
| Day 5 | Pondicherry >> Thanjavur | 170 | 04:00 |
| Day 6 | Thanjavur >> Kodaikanal | 200 | 06:00 |
| Day 7 | Kodaikanal | ||
| Day 8 | Kodaikanal >> Yercaud | 300 | 07:00 |
| Day 9 | Yercaud | ||
| Day 10 | Yercaud >> Bangalore | 200 | 05:00 |
| Day 11 | Bangalore >> Hubli | 410 | 07:00 |
| Day 12 | Hubli >> Pune | 430 | 07:00 |
| TOTAL | 2860 |
Although it was possible to reach Bangalore from Pune in a single stretch, an 800 km drive felt too tiring. Instead, we broke the journey at Hubli. From Bangalore, the route formed a loop -travelling east towards Pondicherry, then heading south to Thanjavur and Kodaikanal. Tiruchirappalli, which lies close to Thanjavur, was initially considered but later dropped as it would have extended the trip by an extra day. From Kodaikanal, the return journey headed north towards Bangalore, with a scenic break at Yercaud
Hotel Summary
Accommodation for this 12 day road trip from Pune to Tamil Nadu was planned in advance, with all bookings done through MakeMyTrip. Since we were travelling with grown-up kids, the platform did not allow booking a single room. As a result, we booked two rooms at all hotels.
Each stay was chosen to suit road trip convenience rather than luxury, helping us maintain a steady pace without overextending daily drives.
| City | Hotel | Rate / Day |
|---|---|---|
| Hubli | SKD Comforts | 1,570 |
| Pondicherry | 1,626 | |
| Thanjavur | Hotel Victoriyah | 1,940 |
| Kodaikanal | Hotel Spring Valley | 1,612 |
| Yercaud | DK Resortss | 1,883 |
Day 1 : Pune to Hubli – Early Miles, Highway Hurdles & Kolhapuri Feasts (430 km / ~7 hrs)
Morning Drive out of Pune
We began Day 1 of our 12 day road trip from Pune to Tamil Nadu early at 6 am. The main goal was to beat the morning city traffic and get a clean exit from Pune. That strategy worked well and helped us settle into the drive quickly.
Soon after leaving the city, we stopped at a roadside food stall for breakfast. Hot idlies and wara made for a simple yet satisfying start to the day. After that short break, we joined NH 48 and continued south.
The expressway stretch till Kolhapur came with a challenge. Due to ongoing expansion work, there were diversions almost every 5 km, which impacted our speed considerably. As a result, progress was slower than expected despite starting early.
We touched Kolhapur at around 1 pm, which lined up perfectly with lunchtime. Instead of pushing ahead, we decided to pause and enjoy the city’s famous food.
Lunch Stop in Kolhapur
For lunch, we chose the well-known Kolhapuri non veg thali. On this trip, we decided to try Hotel Parakh, even though it is located about 3 km inside the city, away from the highway.
We ordered two mutton thalis for the adults. Since sharing was not allowed, we had to order two additional rassa thalis for the kids. Thankfully, the food lived up to expectations and made the detour worthwhile.
A typical thali included tambarassa, pandarassa, mutton gravy, and fried mutton. We doubled the indulgence with biryani and finished the meal with cold and refreshing solkadi. The total lunch cost came to about ₹1000.
Drive to Hubli
After a hearty lunch, we exited Kolhapur and resumed our onward journey to Hubli. Post Kolhapur, NH 48 was free of diversions and in very good condition. This allowed us to cruise comfortably at speeds of 90–100 km/hr. As the daylight faded, we entered Hubli city limits. Since our hotel was located inside the city, navigating through heavy city traffic became unavoidable.
Hubli - Hotel Check-in
Our stay for the night was at SKD Comforts, which sits on the main road in Hubli. The biggest landmark nearby is Big Mishra’s Sweet Shop and Restaurant, located right opposite the hotel. Parking turned out to be tricky. The hotel has limited basement parking, with the entry from its backside. We struggled a bit before finally locating the entrance. Unfortunately, the hotel itself was below average. The rooms had a strong cigarette smell, and we had to ask for a different room to make our stay comfortable.
Dinner at Big Mishra’s
The real highlight of the evening was Big Mishra’s Restaurant (Vidyanagar). It turned out to be one of the finest restaurants and sweet shops we have come across. In addition to a wide variety of sweets, including their famous peda, the place also houses a South Indian restaurant next to the sweet shop and a fine dining restaurant on the first floor.
Prices were reasonable and the food tasted amazing. We ordered veg momos, stuffed parathas, and dal khichri, and every item was well prepared. After dinner, we tried their popular dessert, Kunafa. It is made using vermicelli dough to create a crispy exterior, stuffed with cream, and soaked in sugar syrup.
Calling It a Day
By 9 pm, we wrapped up the day and headed back to the hotel. With a long drive behind us and an early start planned for the next morning, we slipped into bed and called it a night.
Day 2: Hubli to Bangalore – A Relaxed Start, Smooth Highways & Slow City Traffic (410 km / ~7 hrs)
A Leisurely Morning in Hubli
Day 2 of our 12 day road trip from Pune to Tamil Nadu began without any urgency. We woke up leisurely and, after a quick bath and refreshments, stepped out for breakfast at Big Mishra’s Restaurant once again. This time, we headed straight to their South Indian section.
The breakfast spread was generous and satisfying. We thoroughly enjoyed the South Indian dishes, which paired perfectly with their excellent filter coffee. It felt like the right kind of relaxed start before another long drive.
Back on NH48
By 10 am, we were back on NH48, heading towards Bangalore. Once the highway enters Karnataka, the condition of the expressway improves significantly. The smooth roads made the drive comfortable and stress free. With lunch in mind, we had already identified Davangere as our next stop. The plan helped break the journey neatly and kept the drive from feeling too long.
Lunch Stop at Davangere
A quick Google search for a good restaurant led us to Bharani Family Restaurant in Davangere. The restaurant is located about 3 km off the highway, requiring a short drive towards the city.
For lunch, we ordered mutton masala and chicken roast. One interesting local offering here was “mudde.” Made from ragi flour cooked with water, it is shaped into a ball roughly the size of a tennis ball. Mudde is eaten with pulses or meat, has a subtle taste, and pairs especially well with non vegetarian gravies.
The total lunch bill came to ₹860. The food was excellent overall, especially the mutton. If you enjoy mutton dishes and are passing through Davangere, this place is definitely worth trying.
Tea break at A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavan)
As we cruised along NH48 past Bangalore, the familiar green-and-yellow signboards of Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B) started appearing at regular intervals – a reassuring sight for any traveler looking for a reliable pit stop. Known for its consistent quality and pure-vegetarian offerings, A2B has built a strong reputation across South India for quick, hygienic, and satisfying food.
By around 3:30 pm, we pulled over at one of their outlets near Tumakuru for a quick tea break. The setup followed a fast-food style service, making it perfect for road trips where time matters. The menu ranges from chaats and South Indian tiffin items to an irresistible spread of sweets and savouries. Classics like Mysore Pak and Kaju Katli stood out, alongside a variety of crunchy snacks.
Entering Bangalore
As evening approached, we continued our drive towards Bangalore. By 6:30 pm, the familiar traffic snarls of Bangalore greeted us. To navigate the congestion, we took the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and headed towards Rayasandra. However, traffic moved slowly, and it took us almost 2.5 hours to reach our destination. Despite the delay, it felt good to finally arrive and stretch our legs.
Ending the Day
After exchanging meetings and greetings with family, we settled in for the night. A comforting home cooked dinner rounded off the day perfectly. Soon after, we called it a day and rested up for the next leg of our road trip.
Day 3: Bangalore to Pondicherry - Temples, Detours & a Coastal Finish (310 km / ~6 hrs)
Leaving Bangalore for the Coast
Day 3 marked our first real entry into Tamil Nadu during this 12 day road trip from Pune to Tamil Nadu. We left Bangalore at 9 am, heading towards our first coastal destination – Pondicherry. The drive is roughly 370 km and usually takes 6.5 to 7 hours, depending on traffic and stops.
We followed the Bangalore >> Krishnagiri >> Vellore >> Tindivanam >> Pondicherry route. Until Krishnagiri, the expressway runs along a shared section of NH48 (Delhi-Chennai) and NH44 (Srinagar-Kanyakumari), India’s longest highway. This stretch is fast and well laid out, making for an easy start.
Breakfast Stop at Krishnagiri
By 10:30 am, we reached Murugan Idli Shop in Krishnagiri. After reading several positive reviews, we decided to stop and see what the hype was about. The restaurant is located right on NH 44 and has a large parking space, which makes it very convenient for highway travellers.
The place is pure vegetarian and serves food in a traditional banana leaf style. Their specialities include podi idli, uthappam, ghee dosa, sweet pongal, and filter coffee. One unique aspect here is the ordering system—food servers keep bringing freshly prepared items from the kitchen and stop at each table. You simply request whatever you want to eat.
However, the popularity comes with a downside. On weekends and holidays, the place gets overcrowded, and waiting times can stretch to 30-45 minutes.
We ordered ghee vada, dosa, podi idli, sweet pongal, and filter coffee, and every dish lived up to expectations. The breakfast cost us ₹564.
The Sambar Story
Across Tamil Nadu, one dish stayed constant – sambar, and it never disappointed. Unlike the slightly sweet versions from Maharashtra or Gujarat, this one is bold and tangy, thanks to generous use of tamarind. The dal is perfectly blended, giving it a rich, thick texture, while vegetables like drumstick, brinjal, onions, and tomatoes soak up the spices beautifully.
Interestingly, this iconic dish has Maratha roots. During the 17th century, the Marathas ruled Thanjavur, when a royal kitchen faced a small crisis – kokum, the usual souring agent for amti, was unavailable. In a moment of improvisation, the cook turned to tamarind, a local ingredient. The result – sambar, named after Sambhaji, was a happy accident that Tamil Nadu perfected over time.
Detour to Tiruvannamalai
After Krishnagiri, we diverted onto NH77 towards Pondicherry. Along the way, we passed through Tiruvannamalai, where multiple signboards pointed towards the Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar) Temple. Although it was not part of the original plan, we decided to make a spontaneous stop.
We took a 2.5 km detour to visit the temple. The Arunachaleswarar Temple is one of the most sacred Shiva temples in South India and is located at the foothills of Arunachala Hill. According to legend, Lord Shiva manifested here as an endless pillar of fire, proving his supremacy over Brahma and Vishnu. This form later became Arunachala Hill itself, which is worshipped as Shiva in physical form.
The origins of the temple date back over 1,000 years, with references found in Sangam literature. Construction and expansion were carried out by multiple dynasties, including the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara rulers. The Rajagopuram (East Tower) is among the tallest temple towers in Tamil Nadu.
We explored the temple complex but skipped the darshan of the main linga due to a long queue. Waiting would have delayed our arrival in Pondicherry, so we chose to move on.
Local Finds and History Along the Way
Near the temple, a unique local item caught our attention. Vendors were selling something unfamiliar, which we later discovered through Google to be Pana Kizhangu in Tamil. These are underground shoots of palm seeds, either boiled or roasted before eating, and are considered a local delicacy.
Unfortunately, the taste did not suit our palate. We found it chewy and bitter, making it an experience we were happy to try just once.
As we continued towards Pondicherry, road markings pointed towards Gingee Fort.
Located about 70 km from Pondicherry, Gingee Fort is one of the most formidable and historically significant fortresses in South India. The British famously called it the “Troy of the East” due to its near impregnable natural and man made defences.
The fort dates back to around the 9th–13th centuries, with early construction attributed to local chieftains of the Kadava dynasty and later expansions by the Cholas. It reached peak strength under the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1677, it was captured by Maratha king Shivaji maharaj.
More recently, in 2025, Gingee Fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. Notably, it is the only fort in this UNESCO group located outside Maharashtra.
Visiting the fort requires a 1.5 to 2 hour trek. If you have the time and interest, it is worth including in your itinerary.
Pondicherry Arrival - From Stay Issues to Beachside Calm
By afternoon, we finally entered Pondicherry. However, the day threw an unexpected surprise our way. When we reached our booked accommodation, Hotel BnB, we found it shut for renovations and not accepting any bookings.
In hindsight, this made sense. A few days earlier, I had tried calling the hotel to confirm our booking, but my calls were never answered. We spent about an hour speaking with MakeMyTrip to arrange an alternate stay. Eventually, we were reassigned to Hotel Pleasant Inn, along with a complimentary breakfast as compensation.
Although an hour was lost, we finally checked in. The positive side was that Pleasant Inn is closer to the beach. However, it did not have dedicated parking, so we had to park our car on the roadside in front of the property.
Evening at the Promenade
After some rest, we stepped out for a leisurely walk to the Promenade / Beach Road. The stretch includes Rock Beach and Promenade Beach and is completely vehicle free. A well metalled road runs along the coast, lined with several restaurants.
The promenade is dotted with landmarks such as the Mahatma Gandhi Statue and the French War Memorial. The calm sea breeze and open space made it a relaxing end to a long travel day.