5 Best Stopovers on a Delhi to Varanasi Road Trip

A road trip from Delhi to Varanasi is more than just a drive; it is a journey through the heart of India’s history, culture, and cuisine. Covering approximately 820 km, this trip can take anywhere from 12 to 14 hours.

While the modern Agra-Lucknow Expressway and Purvanchal Expressway have made the drive buttery smooth, driving straight through is exhausting. To truly enjoy the journey, you need the right pit stops.

Whether you are taking the classic NH19 (GT Road) route or the modern Expressway Route, here are the 5 best stopovers to refresh, refuel, and explore.

Read Also:- The Ultimate Delhi to Varanasi Road Trip Guide (via Agra-Lucknow Expressway)

1. Agra: The City of Taj & Petha

Route Location: ~210 km from Delhi (via Yamuna Expressway)

Agra is the undisputed first major stop for almost everyone leaving Delhi. After cruising down the Yamuna Expressway for about 3 hours, your legs will need a stretch and your stomach will need breakfast. While the Taj Mahal is the obvious giant, for a road trip stopover, you want quick, accessible spots that don’t eat up your whole day.

What to do:

If you have visited the Taj before, skip the crowds. Instead, head to Mehtab Bagh for a stunning, crowd-free view of the Taj Mahal from across the river—perfect for a 20-minute photo op. For breakfast, stop at one of the famous Garg Chaat Bhandar outlets for “Bedai and Jalebi,” the local power breakfast. Before leaving, stock up on Panchhi Petha (the famous ash gourd sweet) for the car ride ahead.

Quick Info Table

Pros & Cons

• Pros: World-class monuments, excellent breakfast options, right at the end of the first expressway leg.
• Cons: Traffic inside the city can be chaotic; touts can be annoying near monuments.

Expert Review:

“Agra is the perfect ‘breakfast and stretch’ point. Don’t get sucked into a full city tour if you want to reach Varanasi by night. Eat the local breakfast, grab petha, and get back on the road.”

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do: Use the “Inner Ring Road” to bypass city traffic if you just want to grab food and leave.
• Don’t: Enter the Taj Mahal complex if you are on a tight schedule; the security lines alone can take an hour.

2. Kannauj: The Perfume Capital of India

Route Location: ~160 km from Agra (via Agra-Lucknow Expressway)

Often overlooked, Kannauj is a hidden gem located right off the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. Known as the “Grasse of the East,” this ancient city has been making perfume (Itar or Attar) for centuries using traditional methods. It is a fantastic, offbeat stop to break the monotony of the highway.

What to do:

Take the exit for Kannauj and visit a traditional perfumery. You can witness the ancient method of Deg Bhapka, where flowers are distilled in copper pots over wood fires. It is a sensory experience you won’t find anywhere else. You can buy authentic Mitti Attar (the smell of the first rain on dry earth) directly from the artisans. It is a great place to pick up unique gifts.

Quick Info Table

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Unique cultural experience, not crowded, close to the expressway exit.
• Cons: Limited high-end dining options; mostly small local dhabas.

Expert Review:

“Kannauj is the most underrated stop on this route. It offers a cultural depth that highway food courts lack. A 60-minute detour here smells better than any other place on your trip.”

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do: Call a local perfumery in advance if possible, or ask locals for “Itar Gali.”
• Don’t: Expect fancy restrooms here; stick to the Expressway rest stops for hygiene breaks before exiting.

3. Lucknow: The Ultimate Culinary Stop

Route Location: ~330 km from Agra (via Agra-Lucknow Expressway)

If you are a foodie, Lucknow is not a stopover; it is a pilgrimage. This is the halfway point for many and the best place for a heavy lunch. The “City of Nawabs” offers the world’s softest kebabs and richest curries.

Lucknow Food Stop Guide:

Navigate to Aminabad or Chowk if you are adventurous, but for a quicker stop, stay near the gomti nagar area which is easier to enter and exit.

• Tunday Kababi: The legendary Galouti Kebabs are a must. They literally melt in your mouth.
• Sharma Ji Ki Chai: If passing through in the evening, grab their famous Bun-Maska and tea.
• Prakash Kulfi: The perfect dessert to cool down after spicy kebabs.

Quick Info Table

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Incredible food variety, beautiful architecture (Rumi Darwaza), good hotels for an overnight stay.
• Cons: Old Lucknow traffic is notorious and can delay you by an hour; parking is difficult in food hubs.

Expert Review:

“Lucknow is the best place to break your journey for the night. The food is heavy and induces sleep—not great for driving immediately after. Stay the night, feast, and leave for Varanasi early the next morning.”

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do: Use the “Shaheed Path” bypass if you want to avoid city traffic but still access good restaurants in Gomti Nagar.
• Don’t: Drive a large SUV into the narrow lanes of Chowk; take an auto-rickshaw or walk.

4. Kanpur: The Industrial City with a Sweet Tooth

Route Location: ~90 km from Lucknow (or directly on NH19 route)

If you choose the NH19 route instead of the Lucknow Expressway, Kanpur becomes your major city stop. Even if coming from Lucknow, it is a short drive. Kanpur is chaotic but full of character and specific treats that are famous across India.

Places to Visit in Kanpur (Short Stopover):

• Thaggu Ke Laddu: Famous for the tagline “Aisa Koi Saga Nahi, Jisko Humne Thaga Nahi” (There is no relative we haven’t conned). Their Badnaam Kulfi and Laddus are iconic.
• Z Square Mall: If you need a clean, air-conditioned break with clean restrooms and a food court, this is one of the best malls in the region.
• J.K. Temple: A stunning white marble temple that offers peace and a great photo backdrop.

Quick Info Table

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Excellent sweets, good connectivity on the GT Road route, modern amenities (malls).
• Cons: Roads are often dusty and congested; the city is industrial and less “scenic” than others.

Expert Review:

“Kanpur is a functional stop. It’s great for picking up supplies or sweets, but it doesn’t have the tourist charm of Agra or Varanasi. Stop here for the ‘Thaggu ke Laddu’ novelty.”

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do: Visit the “Moti Jheel” park if you have kids who need to run around.
• Don’t: Get stuck on the Ganga Bridge during peak hours; check Google Maps traffic before entering the city.

5. Prayagraj (Allahabad): The Spiritual Confluence

Route Location: ~200 km from Lucknow/Kanpur

Before you reach Varanasi, Prayagraj serves as the perfect spiritual appetizer. Located about 3 hours before Varanasi, it is the meeting point of three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati. This is a powerful place to wash off the road trip fatigue.

What to do:

Head straight to Triveni Sangam. You can hire a boat to take you to the exact spot where the rivers meet. The water colors are visibly different (Yamuna is greenish, Ganga is muddy/brown). It is a peaceful experience compared to the intense energy of Varanasi. If you are hungry, grab “Allahabadi Gujia” or “Churmura” from local street vendors.

Quick Info Table

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Spiritually significant, scenic boat rides, cleaner ghats than Varanasi.
• Cons: Boatmen can overcharge tourists (bargain hard); parking near the Sangam can be far during festival times.

Expert Review:

“Prayagraj is the perfect sunset stop. The evening light on the river is beautiful. It puts you in the right headspace before you enter the chaos and magic of Varanasi.”

Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do: Negotiate the boat price before you step in.
• Don’t: Visit during major bathing dates (Kumbh/Magh Mela) unless you are specifically going for the festival, as traffic will be blocked miles away.

Summary: Which Route Should You Take?

To hit these stops, you have two main route options.

Option A: The Foodie & Comfort Route (Recommended)

• Route: Delhi -> Yamuna Expressway -> Agra -> Agra-Lucknow Expressway -> Kannauj -> Lucknow -> Purvanchal Expressway Link -> Varanasi.
• Why: Better roads, less traffic, and hits the best food spots (Lucknow).

Option B: The Classic GT Road Route

• Route: Delhi -> Agra -> NH19 -> Kanpur -> Prayagraj -> Varanasi.
• Why: Direct, shorter distance, but heavier truck traffic and slower speeds. Best if you want to visit Prayagraj Sangam.

Read Also:- Delhi to Varanasi: Flight vs. Train vs. Bus (Cost Comparison)

Final Expert Tip

If you leave Delhi at 5:00 AM, you can have breakfast in Agra, lunch in Lucknow, tea in Prayagraj, and dinner in Varanasi. However, to enjoy the trip, we highly recommend splitting the journey and spending one night in Lucknow. This leaves you fresh to explore Varanasi the next day.

Safe travels on your journey to the spiritual capital of India!