Vijayawada sits right on the banks of the Krishna River — which sounds peaceful enough, until you realise it also puts you within driving distance of temple towns, river islands, hill forests, and one entire coastline. Most people assume "road trip" means a 10-hour haul to Hyderabad. It doesn't have to.
Some of the best drives from Vijayawada are an hour away. Others are a proper weekend. Either way, doing it in a self-drive car beats a cab for one simple reason: nobody's watching the clock but you. Here are 7 routes worth putting in your calendar, with the exact car from our fleet that makes sense for each one.
🗺️ Quick Route Guide — Distance & Best Car at a Glance
7 Best Road Trips from Vijayawada
1. Bhavani Island — Half-Day Reset
A river island on the Krishna with eco-resorts, kayaking, and jet skiing. Barely counts as leaving the city — perfect when you just need two hours away from your desk.
2. Mangalagiri & Undavalli Caves
The Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple — famous for its jaggery-water offering — paired with rock-cut Vishnu sculptures at Undavalli. A solid half-day loop in Krishna district.
3. Amaravati — History & Riverbank
Once the capital of the Satavahana dynasty, now Andhra Pradesh's new capital region. The Amareshwara Temple and a quiet riverside afternoon make this an easy loop.
4. Kondaveedu Fort — Hill Detour
An old hill fortress in Guntur district. Less touristy than the temple circuit — the winding drive through smaller villages is most of the appeal here.
5. Manginapudi Beach, Machilipatnam
A rare black-sand beach on the Bay of Bengal, plus Dattashram — a pilgrimage site likened to a mini Rameswaram. Easy round trip if you leave early.
6. Khammam — Forts & Forest
Kakatiya and Qutb Shahi history near the Bastar forest belt. The Khammam Fort and Kinnerasani Sanctuary are worth the detour on a smooth highway run.
7. Visakhapatnam & Araku Valley
The big weekend trip — East Coast Road through Rajahmundry's Godavari riverfront to Vizag's beaches, with Araku Valley's hills and coffee plantations beyond. Two-day-minimum trip.
Aman Self Drive operates in Vijayawada, Hyderabad, and Vizag — so the 350 km run to the coast doesn't have to be a there-and-back. Drive up, drop the car at our Vizag location, and fly or take the train home. Mention this when booking so we can arrange the handover.
How to Pick the Right Car for Your Route
A rough rule that holds up across all 7 trips above — match the car to the distance, not the destination:
| Distance Band | Best Car Type | Example Models | Price/Day | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 50 km City-adjacent |
Hatchback | Swift, i20, Grand i10, Wagon R CNG | ₹1,500–₹2,500 | Cheapest per-km, fine for short hops |
| 50–150 km Mixed roads |
Compact SUV / CNG | Brezza CNG, Creta, Exter CNG, Tata Punch | ₹2,500–₹3,500 | Better ride quality, no SUV pricing |
| 150+ km / full family Group travel |
Mid-size SUV / MPV | Kia Seltos, XUV 500, Carens, Ertiga | ₹3,500–₹4,500 | More comfort for longer stretches |
| 250+ km highway runs Vizag, Hyderabad |
Premium / Luxury | Innova Crysta, Toyota Fortuner Automatic | ₹4,500–₹15,000 | Built for exactly this |
Why Book Your Road Trip Car from Aman Self Drive?
Transparent Pricing, No Surprises
What you're quoted on WhatsApp is what you pay. Only fuel and toll are separate — no hidden charges added at drop-off.
Sanitised, Well-Maintained Fleet
Every car is cleaned and checked before handover, so a 350 km coastal run feels as comfortable on hour 6 as it did on hour 1.
One-Way Service Across 3 Cities
Vijayawada, Hyderabad, and Vizag are all covered — so longer routes don't have to end in the same city they started.
A Car for Every Distance
From a ₹1,500/day hatchback for Bhavani Island to a Fortuner for the Vizag highway — the right car for every route on this list.
Support from 6 AM to 9 PM
Early starts for the long routes are normal here — our team is available well before sunrise pickups on weekend trips.
Real Reviews, Real Trust
Hassle-free verification and well-maintained vehicles are the most repeated words in our Google reviews — not just marketing copy.
Before You Set Off — 5 Quick Tips
Book a Day Ahead on Weekends
Vijayawada's fleet moves fast on Fridays and long-weekend Thursdays — especially the Innova Crysta and SUVs. Pre-book to lock in your preferred car.
Carry Your DL & Government ID
Verification at pickup is quick if you have both ready — no back-and-forth at the counter before you hit the road.
Check the KM Package Against Your Route
Most short trips fit comfortably inside the 200km/12hr slab. The Vizag run will need the 24hr package or an extra-km add-on.
Ask About One-Way for the Vizag Route
If you don't want to drive the same 350 km back, mention one-way drop at the time of booking so we can arrange the handover city.
Fuel and Toll Are Separate
Everything else is covered in the rate you're quoted — only fuel consumed and toll charges are paid on top.
Frequently Asked Questions — Road Trips from Vijayawada
What is the best road trip from Vijayawada?
The Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam (Vizag) and Araku Valley route is the most popular long road trip, covering 350+ km along the East Coast through Rajahmundry's Godavari riverfront. For a shorter option, Amaravati (38–58 km) and Mangalagiri (12–16 km) are ideal half-day drives.
How far is Vizag from Vijayawada by road?
Visakhapatnam is approximately 350 km from Vijayawada by road via NH16, taking around 6–7 hours depending on traffic. It's best done as a two-day trip with a comfortable car like the Innova Crysta or Toyota Fortuner Automatic.
Which car should I rent for a short trip near Vijayawada?
For trips under 50 km such as Bhavani Island or Mangalagiri, a hatchback like the Grand i10, Swift, or Wagon R CNG is the most economical choice, starting from ₹1,500/day. For longer highway routes over 250 km, the Innova Crysta or Toyota Fortuner Automatic offer better comfort.
Is one-way self drive car rental available from Vijayawada to Vizag?
Yes. Aman Self Drive Cars offers one-way drop service between Vijayawada, Hyderabad, and Vizag on request. This is useful for the Vijayawada–Vizag road trip if you don't want to drive the same 350 km back.
Are fuel and toll included in the rental price?
No — the rental price is transparent and final for the car itself, but fuel consumed and toll charges are paid separately by the customer during the trip. There are no other hidden charges.
Pick a Route. Pick a Car. Go.
7 road trips, one phone number. Whether it's an 8 km island escape
or a 350 km coastal run — Aman has the right car ready.
📍 Pickup: MG Road, Revenue Colony Park, Labbipet, Vijayawada, AP 520010
Support: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily • WhatsApp available 24×7 for bookings
