SocialMaharaj Technology, Travel, Food et al
Related Articles
I guess I’m compensating for the lost road trips in 2025 this year. Just last weekend, I was on a Hyderabad to Badami road trip with my family, and the following Republic Day weekend, I did an amazing Hyderabad to Ajanta Caves solo road trip.
Why Ajanta? Well, I had been here from my boarding school on an educational trip, but back in the day, I had no idea about the importance and gravity of the place. I guess we were in the 7th when we visited Ajanta from New Era High School. And since it was a long weekend, it made perfect sense to drive and understand the place better, now that I love exploring historic and cultural places more than ever!
Also, unlike the regular route, I drove via Nanded. It was my 4th visit to Nanded, a city I’ve grown fond of over multiple road trips, but this time it was just a pitstop.
So, I packed my bags, hopped into my Tata Punch, and set out on this adventure. Trust me, the road trip was as rewarding as the destination itself. Whether you are a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply someone who loves a good drive, this trip has something for everyone. And yes, I’ll also spill the beans on how my Tata Punch delivered an impressive 23 kmpl average on this long journey, quite a fuel-sipping performer!
If you’re looking for an epic weekend road trip from Hyderabad that combines culture, history, and some spectacular highway driving, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, I’ll share my complete guide of Hyderabad to Ajanta road trip with route guide, costs, practical tips, and my honest review of the drive and everything you need to plan your Hyderabad to Ajanta road trip.
Why Ajanta Caves from Hyderabad? A Heritage Journey Worth the Drive
The Ajanta Caves are one of India’s greatest archaeological treasures, and rightly so; these caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved into a horseshoe-shaped cliff along the Waghora River in Maharashtra. Dating back to as early as the 2nd century BCE, these rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments boast some of the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, including intricate sculptures and vibrant frescoes depicting the life of Buddha and Jataka tales.
Why should a Hyderabad-based traveller care?
- UNESCO Heritage Status: Ajanta is internationally recognised, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in world history and art.
- Architectural Marvel: The caves demonstrate masterful rock-cut architecture, painting, and preservation of ancient Indian culture.
- Road Trip Feasibility: At roughly 570 km, the journey is doable in an extended day or weekend trip, especially if you start early or plan an overnight break.
- Accessibility: Unlike some distant heritage sites, Ajanta is connected via decent highways and offers a chance to explore lesser-known towns en route.
This trip perfectly blends the thrill of a long drive with the joy of discovering a cultural gem, making it an ideal getaway for history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and road trip fans alike.
How Far is Ajanta from Hyderabad?
The distance from Hyderabad to Ajanta is around 570 km, depending on the route you choose. Considering the highways and pit stops, it takes roughly 11-14 hours one way.
I took my trusty Tata Punch for this trip. I was pleasantly surprised by its performance; it averaged 23 kmpl over the entire 1100+ km round trip, which is exceptional for a vehicle in this segment and on a mixed highway and rural road journey.
If you want to get a sense of the car’s performance and comfort on Indian highways, I’ve written detailed reviews on my blog, including how the Punch handles long drives and fuel efficiency.
Route Options: Which Way to Ajanta from Hyderabad?
Planning the route is half the fun and half the headache. I had two main options to reach Ajanta from Hyderabad, each with its own set of tradeoffs.
1. Via Nanded (Route I Took)
- Route: Hyderabad → NH 161 → Nanded → NH 161 → Hingoli/Washim → Aurangabad/Sambhaji Nagar → Ajanta
- Distance: ~570 km
- Why I Chose This:
- Familiarity with the route due to previous visits to Nanded
- Wanted a pit stop at Nanded for rest, food, and refuel
- Better highway conditions overall, especially in the economic corridor section
- Opportunity for a spiritual and cultural dip at Hazur Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded
- Chance to drive on the much-talked-about Samruddhi Mahamarg
This route gives you a good mix of highway driving and rural landscapes, with decent infrastructure on most stretches.
2. Via Aurangabad
- Route: Hyderabad → Zaheerabad → Aurangabad → Ajanta
- Distance: ~550 km, slightly shorter
- Pros:
- Shorter distance by about 20 km
- More direct if you want to skip Nanded and head straight to Aurangabad
- Cons:
- Road conditions can be patchy in parts
- Less familiar territory
- Fewer interesting pit stops or spiritual spots along the way compared to the Nanded route
Verdict:
For first-timers and those who appreciate a proper pit stop with good amenities, the Nanded route is highly recommended. It breaks the journey comfortably, offers better highways, and adds cultural depth to the trip. The direct Aurangabad route is suitable if you want to travel quickly and head straight to Ajanta, but be prepared for some uneven road conditions.
The Drive: Hyderabad to Ajanta via Nanded
Now, let me take you through the nitty-gritty of my drive – I totally loved the drive TBH – broken down into segments for clarity:
Segment 1: Hyderabad to Nanded (270 km, ~5.5 hours)
I started early, leaving Hyderabad at 4:30 AM, hoping to beat both the city and highway traffic. I couldn’t sleep well the night before due to excitement, so I just woke up, took a shower and left home.
On the way, I had a chai before sunrise and packed some Idli Chutney for the route, as I knew there weren’t many places where I could stop and eat. So I stopped by the highway when I spotted the sunrise, parked the car on the side, took my tiffin box, ate the Idli, and enjoyed the sunrise and the cool morning breeze. I reached Nanded by around 10 AM, taking short stops en route.
Hyderabad Indore Economic Corridor
This highway is a game-changer, an amazing 4-lane highway for most of the stretch from Hyderabad to Degloor. The quality of this road is excellent, with smooth tarmac and clear signage. Driving it felt similar to cruising on Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road, but with way less traffic. The only snag is the Degloor to Nanded stretch, about 40-50 km, which is still a single-lane road and can be a bottleneck, especially if you catch trucks or slow vehicles. Patience is key here; the road condition drops to moderate but is still manageable.
If you want to know more about the Hyderabad to Nanded drive, check my detailed Nanded road trip post.
Segment 2: Pit Stop at Nanded
My original road trip to Ajanta plan didn’t include a visit to the Gurudwara. It was an on-the-fly decision that I took while having my breakfast. Since I left Hyderabad that early, I had the liberty to take a longer break, and I decided to visit Hazur Sahib in Nanded.
I was there around 10-10:30, and apparently, there was too much security because some government official was visiting. So I parked my car at some yatri niwas and walked to the Gurudwara. Here, I had a wonderful time soaking in the vibes – for some reason, I find peace at Gurudwaras.
I then had the Guru Da Langar – and it was delicious as always. Totally recommended to take this route and take a pit stop here. It’s an important shrine in Sikhism – one of the 5 takths.
If you want a deep dive into Nanded’s spiritual and food scene, I’ve covered it extensively in my Nanded Gurudwara post.
Segment 3: Nanded to Malegaon via NH-161 (~180 km)
Post-Nanded, I continued on NH-161 through Hingoli → Washim → Malegaon
Stunningly good 4-lane highway with smooth surfaces and minimal potholes. The landscape was picturesque, lush rural Maharashtra with farms, small villages, and open skies. Light to moderate traffic, mostly local vehicles. But here’s the catch: there are very few family-friendly eateries or restaurants, so plan accordingly.
Carry snacks and water from Nanded to avoid hunger pangs, especially if travelling with kids or elders. I had my protein bar with me, so I had that on the way. Luckily found this place, Chintamani Delite, which is a pure veg eatery, but the service was extremely slow for a highway eatery. They took almost an hour for a dal fry and roti.
Segment 4: The Samruddhi Mahamarg Experience (~50 km)
One highlight of this trip was driving on the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Maharashtra’s pride expressway. I had heard and seen a lot about this expressway; a lot of friends told me that you should drive on this one since you do so many road trips.
The road condition is amazing. The expressway is smooth, wide, and well-maintained, reminding me of Hyderabad’s ORR but with even less traffic. Fuel pumps and food stops are sparse on this stretch, so make sure you’re well-stocked before entering. I drove about a 50 km stretch just to experience the expressway. It was a smooth, fast-paced drive that felt futuristic compared to typical highways.
Segment 5: Mekhar to Ajanta via SH-548CC (Final Stretch)
The last leg was surprising after getting off the Samruddhi Mahamarg, getting on an internal state highway, single lane, but in mint condition. I was surprised to see such good roads all through that, too, for a state highway
But one thing to watch out for is random speed breakers and some patches of city traffic near towns. The last 30-40 km were scenic, with rolling hills and greenery approaching Ajanta.
I reached Ajanta at around 6 PM, making the total journey time roughly 13.5 hours including breaks.
Return Journey: Ajanta to Hyderabad via Lonar Lake
For variety, I took a different route back: Ajanta → Lonar Lake → NH-161 at Hingoli → Hyderabad. I had read about Lonar Lake in my Geography class in school and was excited to see the lake.
The Lonar Lake detour is well worth it. This crater lake, formed by a meteorite impac,t is a unique geological site and a refreshing break. But more than that, the ancient and abandoned temple that I saw at the base of the lake was stunning and unexpected! Mostly state highways in good condition, merging back with NH-161 at Hingoli. Slightly longer than the onward route, but more scenic and peaceful. I drove straight back, taking about 14 hours total, with fewer breaks. The return route had fewer bottlenecks but more rural roads where caution was needed due to cattle and tractors.
Costs Breakdown: Budget for Your Trip
Here’s a practical breakdown of what you can expect to spend:
Fuel Costs
- Nanded Refuel: ₹2,500
- Ajanta Refuel: ₹2,500
- Total Fuel Cost (Round Trip): ~₹5,000
My Tata Punch averaged 23 kmpl over the entire 1100+ km journey. The Punch’s petrol tank capacity is about 35 litres, so this calculation matches well with the refuelling stops.
Toll Charges
- Hyderabad to Nanded: ₹200-300 (estimate)
- Samruddhi Mahamarg: ₹100-150
- Total Tolls (One Way): Approx ₹400-500
Factor in tolls both ways, so budget around ₹900-1,000 for tolls round trip.
Food and Miscellaneous
- Meals at local dhabas cost around ₹150-300 per person for basic but tasty food.
- Snacks and water for the highway – ₹200-300.
Total Estimated Budget
- Fuel: ₹5,000
- Tolls: ₹1,000
- Food/Snacks: ₹1,000
- Miscellaneous: ₹500
- Overall: ~₹7,500-8,000 for the entire round trip.
Practical Tips for Your Hyderabad to Ajanta Road Trip
Best Time to Visit
- October to February: Pleasant weather, ideal for exploring caves and driving.
- Monsoon (June-Sept): The landscape is lush and beautiful, but roads can be slippery; caves look magical, surrounded by greenery.
What to Carry
- Plenty of water bottles and dry snacks, limited stops on some stretches.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen, the sun can get harsh, especially on open highways.
- Camera gear to capture the stunning caves and landscapes.
- An emergency kit with basic medicines and tools.
Driving Tips
- Start early (4-5 AM) to avoid city traffic and to have ample daylight.
- Be patient on the Degloor-Nanded stretch, which is a single lane and can get congested.
- Watch for speed breakers on SH-548CC near Ajanta.
- Fuel up fully in Nanded, it’s the last reliable big petrol station before Ajanta. Also, the fuel is cheaper in Maharashtra compared to Telangana, so take enough fuel enough to reach Maharashtra and refuel once there.
Time Management
- The trip can be done in an extended day (leave 4:30 AM, return late evening) if you’re comfortable with long drives.
- Better as a 2-day trip, overnighting in Nanded or Aurangabad for rest.
- A 3-day trip gives you the luxury to add the nearby Ellora caves for a complete heritage circuit – if you’re a history buff like me, avoid the 1-day Ajanta-Ellora circuit because both the places deserve your full attention.
Road Safety
- Single-lane stretches require careful overtaking and patience.
- Rural roads may have cattle, tractors, and slow-moving vehicles — stay alert.
- Night driving is not recommended on state highways due to a lack of lighting and road markings
Final Verdict: Should You Take This Trip?
If you love history, heritage, and the open road, this trip is tailor-made for you. The Hyderabad Indore Economic Corridor is a game-changer (once fully complete), making the initially long journey much smoother. The Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway is impressive and a joy to drive.
The Nanded pit stop breaks the trip nicely and adds a cultural layer, making the journey manageable and more rewarding. And I can’t praise the Tata Punch enough, 23 kmpl average on this mixed highway and rural route is exceptional, making the trip economical too.
The UNESCO heritage of Ajanta caves is well worth the drive, and if you’re a heritage traveller like me (I’ve done the Badami heritage circuit as well), this trip fits perfectly into a larger exploration of India’s ancient wonders.
If you’ve got any queries or suggestions, drop them in the comments below. You can also tweet to me at @Atulmaharaj or DM @Atulmaharaj on Instagram or Get In Touch.
