Every Friday evening, our fleet scatters out of Chennai in a dozen directions. These are the eight weekend routes that get booked again and again — battle-tested by hundreds of family and friend groups.
1. Pondicherry (160 km)
The undisputed champion. French Quarter walks, Auroville, beach cafés — and the ECR drive is a highlight in itself. Two days, done perfectly.
2. Mahabalipuram (60 km)
Technically a day trip, but an overnight by the shore temples turns it into the laziest, loveliest mini-break near Chennai.
3. Yercaud (365 km)
The closest true hill station — 20 hairpins to coffee estates and lake mornings. Massively underrated and rarely crowded.
4. Tirupati + Chandragiri (135 km)
A spiritual weekend: unhurried darshan without the same-day rush, plus the Chandragiri Fort sound-and-light show.
5. Tiruvannamalai (195 km)
Time it to the full moon and walk the 14-km Girivalam with lakhs of pilgrims — an experience that stays with you.
6. Vellore + Yelagiri (145–230 km)
Golden Temple sparkle on day one, then a short hop up Yelagiri's 14 hairpins for a quiet hill morning on day two.
7. Velankanni (350 km)
Basilica Mass, candle offerings and a calm coastal town — a pilgrimage weekend that suits every generation in the van.
8. Thanjavur (350 km)
For the culture crowd: the Big Temple at dusk and dawn, bronzes, and the Saraswathi Mahal library's manuscripts.
Which van? Friends' trips love the Premium 12/15. Multi-generation families swear by the massage-seat Luxury. Either way, the 300 km/day minimum comfortably covers every route on this list.