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Top 10 Scenic Road Trips in Kerala You Cannot Miss | HyreCabs
Maverick
5/28/20266 min read
Kerala — celebrated the world over as "God's Own Country" — is one of India's great road trip destinations. Its landscapes shift dramatically within just a few hours of driving: sun-drenched Arabian Sea coastlines give way to mist-wrapped hill stations, tranquil backwaters dissolve into dense wildlife corridors, and spice-scented forests open onto thundering waterfalls. Every road in Kerala tells a story. The best way to experience it? On your own terms, behind the wheel. Whether you're planning a quick weekend escape or a week-long Kerala circuit, HyreCabs offers the most reliable and affordable self drive car rental in Kochi and car rental across Kerala — so you can explore every curve of these spectacular routes in comfort and freedom.
Top 10 Scenic Road Trips in Kerala
1. Kochi to Munnar — The Classic Kerala Road Trip
Distance: 123 km | Approx. 3.5 hours
Route: NH85 → SH5
The Kochi to Munnar drive is arguably the most celebrated road trip in all of Kerala — and for very good reason. The route climbs steadily from the coastal plains through rubber and banana plantations before emerging into the cool, fragrant world of Munnar's high-altitude tea estates. Hairpin bends reveal breathtaking valley vistas, roadside waterfalls appear without warning, and the temperature drops delightfully with every kilometre gained. Once in Munnar, explore the Eravikulam National Park (home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr), take a peaceful boat ride at Mattupetty Dam, and visit the legendary Kolukkumalai Tea Estate — one of the highest-altitude tea estates in the world. For a comfortable drive on these winding ghat roads, book a self drive car rental in Kochi or a chauffeur-driven Innova rental in Kochi through HyreCabs.
2. Kottayam to Vagamon — Through Kerala's Quiet Highlands
Distance: 65 km | Approx. 2 hours
Route: SH32 → SH14
This short but enormously rewarding drive winds through Kerala's lush central countryside before arriving at the serene hill station of Vagamon — a landscape of rolling meadows, pine forests, and misty plateaus that feels worlds away from city life. Key stops include the cascading Vagamon Falls, the tranquil Vagamon Lake, the spiritually significant Kurisumala Ashram, and the atmospheric Vagamon Barren Hills— a favourite among trekkers and photographers. A self drive car from Kochi or a car rental in Ernakulam makes Kottayam and Vagamon an easy, scenic half-day detour on any Kerala road trip.
3. Kozhikode to Wayanad — Into the Heart of the Western Ghats
Distance: 90 km | Approx. 3 hours
Route: NH766 → SH29
The drive from Kozhikode to Wayanad is one of Kerala's most dramatic, climbing through the spectacular Lakkidi Ghat with its sweeping views over mist-filled valleys. Wayanad itself is a destination of extraordinary natural richness: the prehistoric Edakkal Caves with their ancient petroglyphs, the vast Banasura Sagar Dam, the challenging Chembra Peak trek, and the wildlife-rich Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are all unmissable. For this longer ghat drive, a well-maintained SUV from HyreCabs self drive car rental is the ideal choice — offering the ground clearance and performance that Wayanad's roads demand.
4. Kochi to Kanyakumari — A Drive to the Edge of India
Distance: 275 km | Approx. 6 hours
Route: NH66 (coastal highway)
This is Kerala's great south-to-tip road trip — a culturally and scenically rich journey that takes you along the coastal highway through Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram before arriving at Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of mainland India, where three great bodies of water meet. Highlights include the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue, the magnificent Padmanabhapuram Palace, and the serene Thanumalayan Temple. For this long-distance journey, consider a luxury car rental in Kochi or a chauffeur-driven vehicle from HyreCabs Kochi for a relaxed, premium experience from start to finish.
5. Munnar to Marayoor — Sandalwood Forests and Ancient Mysteries
Distance: 44 km | Approx. 1.5 hours
Route: SH17
A short but fascinating detour from Munnar, the drive to Marayoor passes through tea gardens and increasingly dramatic Western Ghats scenery before arriving at one of Kerala's most unusual destinations. Marayoor is famous for its protected sandalwood forests — the only natural sandalwood reserve in Kerala — as well as its remarkable Megalithic Dolmens, ancient burial chambers dating back thousands of years. The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the spectacular Thoovanam Waterfalls within Rajiv Gandhi National Park complete the picture. Pair this with your Munnar road trip by booking a self drive car rental near Kochi at HyreCabs for complete itinerary flexibility.
6. Chalakkudi to Valparai — Through the Sholayar Reserve Forest
Distance: 168 km | Approx. 4 hours
Route: NH544 → SH78
This is one of Kerala's most thrillingly scenic drives — a route that plunges into the ancient Sholayar Reserve Forest, climbing through mist-covered mountain passes before emerging at the tea estate town of Valparai. Roadside wildlife sightings (including lion-tailed macaques) are common on this stretch. Key attractions include the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, the picturesque Aliyar Dam, the popular Monkey Falls, and the breathtaking Nallamudi Viewpoint overlooking the Anamalai Hills. For this demanding but rewarding drive, a sturdy SUV from HyreCabs self drive car rental Kochiis highly recommended.
7. Alappuzha to Changanassery — Kerala's Backwater Heartland
Distance: 28 km | Approx. 25 minutes
Route: SH11
Short in distance but rich in visual reward, the drive from Alappuzha to Changanassery follows SH11 through the very heart of Kerala's famous backwater country. Paddy fields, coconut groves, and shimmering water channels line the road throughout. In Changanassery, the ornate Parappukadu Devi Temple with its towering 13-foot Sri Rama idol and the classically styled Thrikodithanam Temple are well worth exploring. This is an excellent add-on to any Alleppey houseboat trip — simply book a car rental near Kochi from HyreCabs and build it into your backwater itinerary.
8. Thekkady to Munnar — Spice Country to Tea Country
Distance: 95 km | Approx. 3 hours
Route: NH85
This route connects two of Kerala's most celebrated destinations in a single spectacular drive. Beginning in the spice-scented air of Thekkady (home to the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary), the road winds north through cardamom and pepper estates before climbing into the misty tea garden landscape that defines Munnar. The changing agricultural scenery — from dense spice plantations to geometric rows of tea bushes — is a constant visual delight. Pair this with a self drive car from Kochi Airport for a seamless arrival-to-adventure experience with HyreCabs, picking up your vehicle the moment you land.
9. Devikulam to Munnar — A Short Drive Through Tea Garden Heaven
Distance: 8 km | Approx. 15–20 minutes
Route: NH85
One of Kerala's shortest but most visually rewarding drives, the Devikulam to Munnar stretch on NH85 is a miniature masterpiece of Western Ghats scenery. Flanked by immaculate tea estates and offering sweeping views down into the valley, this road is best driven slowly — windows down, with the cool mountain air filling the car. It makes for a perfect morning warm-up drive during any Munnar stay. For guests based in Kochi, a cheap car rental in Kochi from HyreCabs is the most convenient and affordable way to reach Munnar and base yourself for drives like this one.
10. Thiruvananthapuram to Ponmudi — The Hill Station in Kerala's Capital Backyard
Distance: 60 km | Approx. 2 hours
Route: NH77 → Ponmudi Ghat Road
Ponmudi is Thiruvananthapuram's closest hill station and one of the most dramatically accessed in all of Kerala — the final stretch climbs through 22 hairpin bends with heart-stopping valley views at every turn. The destination rewards with the wildlife-rich Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, the multi-tiered Meenmutty Waterfalls, and the serene Golden Valley where the Vamanapuram River flows through pristine forest. KTDC's Golden Peak resort at the summit is a classic stopover. Include Ponmudi in a longer Kerala road trip circuit by booking a monthly car rental in Kochi from HyreCabs — ideal for travellers who want to cover the length and breadth of Kerala at leisure.
Bonus: Thrissur to Athirapally — Chasing Kerala's Most Iconic Waterfall
Distance: 57 km | Approx. 1.5 hours
Route: NH544 → SH21
No road trip guide to Kerala is complete without Athirapally. The drive from Thrissur along NH544 and SH21 is a scenic journey through some of central Kerala's most beautiful countryside, arriving at the breathtaking Athirapally Falls — an 80-foot cascade that earned the nickname "India's Niagara." The adjacent Vazhachal Falls and the Sholayar Rainforest Safari (with regular elephant and leopard sightings) make this a full-day destination. Book a self drive car in Kochi or a car hire in Kochi from HyreCabs and make Athirapally your next weekend road trip.
Explore Kerala's Scenic Roads with HyreCabs
Kerala's finest road trips deserve a vehicle you can trust — one that handles ghat roads confidently, keeps you comfortable on long drives, and gives you the freedom to stop whenever the view demands it. HyreCabs is Kerala's most reliable car rental service in Kochi, offering a wide fleet of well-maintained vehicles to suit every journey and every budget. From cheap car rental in Kochi for solo travellers and couples, to Innova rental in Kochi for families and groups, to luxury car rental in Kochi for premium road trip experiences — we have you covered. Pickup available at Kochi Airport, Ernakulam, Kaloor, and Vytila. Visit www.hyrecabs.com to browse our fleet and book your Kerala road trip today.
Kerala's roads are waiting. The only question is: which one will you take first?