Pune to Dehradun: 3 Days, 4 States, a New Life
Sometimes the longest roads take you home.
My Pune to Dehradun road trip wasn’t just about covering 1,900 km. It was about leaving behind one life and stepping into another. The car was packed with memories from my apartment in Pune. The highways stretched endlessly, and a quiet excitement pulsed through me. This wasn’t just a drive; it was a farewell to the fast lanes of corporate life and a hello to slow mornings in Dehradun. 1,900 kilometers, four states, a lot of excitement, and some anxiety — a journey that changed me forever.
Pune to Dehradun: Why the move?
For over three decades, Pune has been my home. I had a buzzing corporate career full of endless meetings and a calendar that was always full. Life was comfortable for sure, but somewhere along the way, I craved something meaningful. The city lights were too bright for me, and the speed was too fast.
I craved slow mornings with mist over the hills. I craved conversations that weren’t rushed, meals that weren’t just grabbed between meetings, and days that would have space for a lot of silence. Dehradun called to me, not just as a new city, but as a new way of life. It was a place where slow living in India could truly be embraced. And so, I decided to drive. Not fly, not ship my personal things, but drive 1,900 km. I wanted to feel every mile of leaving one chapter behind and starting another.
Pune to Dehradun: The Journey Unfolds
Day 1: Pune to Ujjain
I started really early from Pune. It was at 3:30 am, and the darkness on the road was haunting. The world was still asleep when I took my first pit stop at Ranjangaon Ganpati Temple around 4:30 am. The temple doors were shut; they opened at 5:30 am. So, instead of waiting, I chose to drive on.
Early Start
Blessings of the Sun God
It had rained heavily the previous night. Around 6 am, the sun had started to peep from the clouds in front of me. I had reached Pravara Sangam, the confluence of the Pravara and Godavari rivers. The rising sun turned the sky gold, and I stood in silence as I watched light spill over the Siddheshwar and Ghateshwar Shiv Mandir nearby. What better way could there be to receive blessings at the start of my journey?
Sunrise at Pravara Sangam
Warm welcome by the green corridor
An hour later, just before Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, I took a left turn. I enjoyed driving on a smooth, straight road before entering the zig-zags of Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary. The drive was smooth, the air was fresh, and the green hills rose on both sides. It was one of those drives where nature welcomes you with open arms.
By 10:30 am, I had sped fast Dhule and hunger pulled me to a roadside eatery at Shirpur for a simple but soul-satisfying breakfast. Refreshed, I zoomed past highways humming some old Hindi tunes to reach Ujjain by 3:30 pm.
An evening in Ujjain
The city greeted me with humid weather and the sounds of temple bells. I had enough time to explore. I visited many shrines and shot videos. Time flew. I had to rush to Ram Ghat situated on the banks of the Kshipra River to join the evening aarti. And the effort was definitely worth all the struggle. The aarti was a divine experience!
Kshipra Aarti
At the shrine I visited, there was hardly any rush. So I was assuming that Shri Mahakaleshwar’s darshan would be as smooth too. But, as I entered the famed Shri Mahakal Temple Complex, I had to brave the crowds. Given that it would take a long time, I decided to go the VIP darshan route, which brought me face-to-face with Lord Mahakal himself. Those 5 minutes in front of Him were the best! The day ended with a hearty Dal Bafla meal, which was earthy, filling, and just perfect.
Day 2: Ujjain to Khatu
The morning began with experiencing a charming sunrise at the Govradhansagar Lake, a visit to some more shrines, and finally a stroll at Ram Ghat by the Kshipra River. Devotees offered prayers, children splashed in the water, and the air was alive with the hum of chants. After a few more temple visits and a quick room tour shoot of my stay at Hotel MPT Ujjaini, it was time to hit the road again.
the beginning of a long journey
The journey to Khatu was long, around 558 km, but the roads were some of the finest I had driven on. Outskirts of the city, I got onto the Ujjain Garoth highway. It was a wonderfully smooth drive with practically no one in sight. It was a long stretch of road without any facilities – no halting areas, no washrooms, and no fuel stations. I was in a situation where I ran out of fuel and had to take a 10 km detour to refuel and get back on the road.
Should I drive?
The next stretch was from Garoth to Modak, where I drove on an 8-lane highway, which was part of the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway. The average speed was around 120 kmph. I was having fun! But alas, it was short-lived. The road ahead was still under construction. So I had to divert onto a 2-lane road with traffic slowing me down. It was just past noon, and the sun was shining bright. At one point, I thought I should not drive any further, but look for a hotel and call it a day. To ponder, I stopped for lunch. I used this break to think. Am I really so tired that I can’t drive? But I soon realised that it was the heat and the bad road that had forced me to think so. The much-needed break cleared my head. I continued!
To Jaipur and beyond
I then drove on the Kota-Jaipur road, which was a regular 4-lane road. Fairly empty, this road offered quite a smooth drive. It was still sunny. In fact, when I stopped around 5 pm to fuel up, I couldn’t get out of my car. It was burning hot outside. I quickly fueled up and decided not to get out of the car until I had reached the destination.
Just before reaching Jaipur, I got off the Kota-Jaipur road, and I drove on the Jaipur ring road. I was amazed to know that Jaipur had a great ring road like this one. It was an 8-lane road, smooth as butter! I cruised at a speed of 100 kmph to then take the busy road to Khatu.
Whatta day!
What a day it was. Highways with their own highs and lows, landscapes that changed like the colors of a chameleon, and a playlist of Hindi and Marathi songs to keep me company. By the time I reached Khatu, the sun had set. But surprisingly, the energy of the town was electric. Thousands had gathered for darshan at Khatu Shyam Ji. Amidst the sea of people, I managed my darshan and ended my day at Hotel Shyam, tired but fulfilled.
Day 3: Khatu to Dehradun
The previous night’s darshan had felt hurried, almost incomplete. So, early in the morning, I decided to go again. The crowds were even bigger. Just when I was about to turn back, a man walked up and asked if I wanted a VIP darshan. I don’t know if it was chance or grace, but within minutes, I was standing before Khatu Shyam Ji. That moment filled me with peace and gratitude — a miracle in its own quiet way.
I got into a pit
The drive to Dehradun was about 549 km. The first stretch took me through small villages and narrow roads. At one point, my car sank into a pit. Locals rushed to help. They pulled me out with warm smiles and willing hands. I offered them some money for extending help, but they refused. Their kindness won my heart.
My road trip number
A little later, I was driving on the Trans-Haryana highway. It was a wide and smooth road, but the 100 kmph speed limit felt frustratingly slow. It was a lesson in patience. Not every road is meant to be rushed! And during this slow drive, I was humming some random lyrics which eventually became the number of my trip. You can listen to this song here. (Of course, I have used the capabilities of Suno AI to bring my random lyrics to life.) Do let me know how you like it, in the comments below!
Dehradun, here I come!
The last 40 km stretch was through Rajaji National Park. Tall sal trees lined the way. The sunlight filtered through in soft beams. The air smelled of earth and forest. As I finally reached the outskirts of Dehradun, the mountains dotted the horizon. They felt like open arms welcoming me to my new home!
Reflections from the Pune to Dehradun Drive
On the Pune to Dehradun drive, I was on the road for three days. It was a journey of countless emotions and a lifetime of lessons.
This road trip taught me patience — when temples were closed, when highways slowed me down, when my car got stuck. It taught me resilience — that no matter how deep the pit, there’s always a way out. It taught me to surrender — sometimes you don’t plan a miracle; it just finds you.
Most of all, it reminded me that life doesn’t need to be lived at full speed. The joy of sipping chai at a dhaba, of watching sunrise over a river, of exchanging smiles with strangers — that’s where living truly happens.
Watch this drive’s vlogs on YouTube
Closing Tie-in
My Pune to Dehradun road trip was more than relocation. It was a reminder of something I always truly believed in: life itself can be an endless vacation, if we make that choice! Dehradun isn’t just where I moved. It is where I chose to slow down. It is where I decided to live fully and to listen deeply.
And probably you’re craving that too, aren’t you?
Start Your Own Journey Within
My Pune to Dehradun road trip taught me that slowing down is the fastest way to find yourself. If you’re craving that pause too, I’ve created a free guide just for you.
7 Simple Rituals for Slowing Down Your Day + a Mindful Mornings Playlist
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