My mom told me she wanted to visit Lucknow a few days ago. So, I started looking for flights, and I was shocked to see the fares. For one second, I was confused, but later, I realized it was because of the rush for Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
With flight fares skyrocketing and train ticket availability difficult, the best way to attend Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is to drive from Hyderabad to Prayagraj.
Having done multiple Hyderabad to Lucknow road trips, I’ll share everything you need to know about driving from Hyderabad to Prayagraj by car—road conditions, places to halt, eat, rest, and everything else—your complete road trip guide.
Hyderabad to Prayagraj Route
Prayagraj is about 1200 km from Hyderabad. Before reaching Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, you’ll cross the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The journey can be completed in 2 days with ample breaks and a night halt. I wouldn’t recommend completing your Hyderabad to Prayagraj road trip in one day as it’s too hectic, but I know of people who have done it.
In terms of route, there’s only one standard route via NH 44. Here are the complete route details for your Hyderabad to Prayagraj road trip.
Hyderabad -> Medchal -> Kamareddy -> Adilabad -> Hingaghat -> Nagpur -> Seoni -> Jabalpur -> Katni -> Amarpatan -> Rewa -> Mangawan -> Chakghat -> Prayagraj
You start with NH-44 from Hyderabad to Nagpur and then take the bypass from Nagpur to Jabalpur with NH-30. From Jabalpur to Prayagraj, follow NH-30. I also studied this route and learned that most of the route is a 4-lane highway, which is in good condition for most parts. This route also has some ghat roads around Jabalpur, and closer to Prayagraj, so you must also be wary of that. My most recent trip from Hyderabad to Lucknow via Prayagraj was a few months ago, so this information is current.
Road conditions from Hyderabad to Prayagraj
As mentioned earlier, the journey spans approximately 1200 kilometers, which should be divided into two days. During my Hyderabad to Lucknow road trip, I usually start the first day at 5:00 AM, driving through diverse terrains and road conditions across four states: Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. I reach Jabalpur for the night halt around 9 PM. The second day can start leisurely around 8 AM and end at Prayagraj by 4 PM, making it a comfortable two-day drive with adequate rest stops.
Excellent Roads In Telangana
The journey begins with Telangana’s exemplary road infrastructure. Starting from Hyderabad’s Nehru Outer Ring Road (ORR), you’ll experience pristine tarmac that extends onto NH-44 until Adilabad. There was some road work going on the last time I was driving to Lucknow.
This 300-kilometer stretch features well-maintained four-lane highways with proper lane markings, reflectors, and dividers. The shoulders are wide and well-paved, offering safe stopping options. Regular fuel stations and clean restroom facilities are available every 50-60 kilometres. The smooth roads allow for maintaining consistent speeds of 80-100 kmph safely.
Pathetic Roads In Maharashtra Until Nagpur
The stark contrast in road quality becomes apparent immediately after crossing into Maharashtra. Though technically a four-lane highway, the reality is quite different. Frequent potholes, some deep enough to damage your vehicle’s suspension, dot the landscape. The 250 km stretch features poorly maintained sections with loose gravel, uneven patchwork, and occasional unmarked diversions. Although this has improved a little in the last year or so, it is still not comparable to the conditions in Telangana.
Excellent Roads From Nagpur to Jabalpur
After enduring Maharashtra’s roads, the Nagpur bypass signals the start of better driving conditions. The NH-30 towards Jabalpur is a pleasure to drive on, featuring smooth roads with proper markings. The highlight is the 50-kilometer stretch through Pench Tiger Reserve, offering scenic forest views and well-maintained roads.
The ghat section, though small, requires attention due to truck traffic. The road features proper signage warning about wildlife crossings. Regular fuel stations and decent dhabas make this 300-kilometer stretch comfortable.
Excellent Roads But With Cows Till Prayagraj
The final stretch presents a mix of excellent infrastructure and unique challenges. The Jabalpur to Katni section features modern four-lane concrete roads, approximately 100 kilometres long. However, you’ll encounter groups of cows often sitting right in the middle of the road, requiring sudden braking or careful manoeuvring.
The Katni to Mangawan section alternates between four-lane and single-lane sections with ongoing construction work – it has been a few years, and this section is developing slowly. From Mangawan to Prayagraj, the roads remain generally good but require careful driving due to increased cattle presence, especially near villages.
Hyderabad to Prayagraj Toll Charges
When your salary is taxed, how can your travel be left out? Most of the highways in India have been built using a PPP model, where a contractor makes the roads and sets up toll plazas to collect a fee. For every toll road in India, you pay anywhere between 1 to 1.5 Re per km. This isn’t a rule but a rough estimate.
From my experience and previous records, you’ll pay somewhere around Rs 2000 towards the toll.
Food & Rest Stops From Hyderabad To Prayagraj
As a foodie and having done the Hyderabad-Lucknow stretch multiple times with my family, food stops with good washrooms are always a top priority. However, as I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, there aren’t many good options after crossing Telangana.
Many of them are specific to lunch or dinner but not breakfast. We stopped at Sri Aadhya Grand for breakfast. It’s quite a popular place, and the food is good, too. It is recommended. It has become our regular stop for breakfast.
From then on until Nagpur, I was surprised not to find many eateries. There were several dhabas, but most weren’t in good shape. I mean, I couldn’t go in with my family, so that was a tough stretch. I’d suggest getting something packed for this stretch, as you might not find food to your liking.
So, the next stop we usually take is after we bypass Nagpur. There’s this good place called MHKS Highway Dhaba – this has become our regular stop. Attached to a petrol pump, this is a very good stop. It has a small convenience store, very clean washrooms, reasonable rates, and ample parking.
The next stop, Jabalpur, is about a four-hour drive from here, and there aren’t many good places in the middle. I usually go directly to my hotel in Jabalpur and eat there. We’ve stopped at two places in Jabalpur until now: Sukoon Resorts, which is good, but I prefer Royal Orbit better because it’s new, has good facilities, and has a very good pure vegetarian restaurant, MP20.
Another stop that you can take after leaving Jabalpur is Wayside Restaurant Katni. One of our regular food stops on our Lucknow trip. Attached to a petrol pump with ample parking. The setup is good, the washrooms are clean, and the food options are nice, just that the service can be slow.
Drive to Maha Kumbh From Hyderabad
While challenging, the Hyderabad to Prayagraj drive is the best (and most affordable) solution for attending Maha Kumbh when air and rail options are expensive or unavailable.
The 1200-kilometer journey can be comfortably completed in two days, with Jabalpur as an ideal midway halt.
For those planning this trip during Maha Kumbh, I recommend:
- Starting early to maximize daylight driving
- Keeping buffer time for unexpected delays
- Downloading offline maps as network connectivity can be patchy
- Carrying basic vehicle tools and a spare tyre
- Planning your Prayagraj accommodation well in advance due to the Kumbh rush
Whether you’re heading for the spiritual experience of Maha Kumbh or exploring the cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh, this road trip offers a blend of adventure, challenges, and memorable experiences. Further, if you have any queries regarding this trip and route, please feel free to ask in the comments below, tweet me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Instagram or Get In Touch.