How to Plan a Summer Drive to Avoid Traffic & Heat in India

India summer drives can be thrilling and tiring. The heat, the holiday traffic and the influx of tourists can make your drive unpleasant if you are not well-prepared. But with some planning you can get past the heat and traffic and have a fun trip.

Start Your Drive Before Sunrise

The best advice for summer is to start early. Setting out around 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM allows you to travel the majority of the trip before it gets too hot. At this time of day the roads are quiet, filling stations are open and it's comfortable to drive. If you can, arrive at your destination or a pitstop by midday.

Avoid Peak Traffic Windows

Highways and outskirts of cities are crowded between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM on weekends and holidays. If you can't leave too early, take a lunch break (find a dhaba, hotel or restaurant lobby) and wait out the peak traffic and heat hours from noon to 3:00 PM. Take off again in the late evening.

Plan Your Route Carefully

Plan your route the previous night using Google Maps or Mappls (formerly MapMyIndia). National highways are faster but more congested during the summer holidays. State highways and district roads are generally less crowded, with more trees to keep you cool, and best of all, they are well maintained. If you're driving between cities, try to find ways to bypass towns altogether.

Prepare Your Car for the Heat

Ensure your car has sufficient coolant and a well-maintained radiator for summer trips. Inflate tyres to the lower end of the recommended pressure range – heat will increase pressure. Service the air conditioning system. Carry a windscreen sunshade and a reflective cover if you are parking your car outdoors. Keep some additional water in the boot, for drinking but also if the engine overheats.

Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks

You can get fatigued quicker in the summer heat. Stay well hydrated and avoid large meals before going on a long trip; take frequent breaks (about two to two-and-a-half hours). Take breaks at service stations, roadside cafes or in shady areas. Don't drive tired – it's risky and unnecessary.

Choose the Right Roads by Region

If you are travelling in North India – let's say from Delhi to the hills – on Fridays and Saturdays, the roads leading to the hill stations of Shimla, Mussoorie and Nainital are jam-packed. It's best to leave on Thursday night or very early Friday. In the South, weekend traffic is a problem on hill station roads to Ooty and Coorg. In Rajasthan, early morning drives on desert roads are stunning and pleasant before 9:00 AM but hellish post-noon.

Pack Smart for Summer Travel

Pack a cooler with water, nimbu pani or ORS packs. Bring a first-aid kit, torch, mobile phone charger and tools. Dress in light colours. A small spray bottle of water will help to keep you cool on long drives.

Consider a Self-Drive Car for flexibility

A key benefit of road trips is the flexibility to drive on your schedule. If you don't own a car or don't have easy access to a well-maintained one or if you want to avoid driving your own car in the summer heat, consider a self-drive car. Rentrip provides self-drive car rental services in major cities of India, allowing you to choose the time to pick up the car, decide your own working hours and drive when you feel most comfortable – even in early hours of the day, which matter in summer.

Final Thoughts

Driving in India during the summer is very manageable – millions of families do it each year. The trick is to adapt to the conditions. Start early, take breaks in the hottest part of the day, maintain your vehicle, stay hydrated and plan your trip. It's easy to make a summer drive a pleasant one with a little bit of planning.