Rupang Bhatt, Ahmedabad: For those planning a quick weekend getaway from Ahmedabad, a visit to one of the favorite destinations of Gujaratis, Udaipur, is the best option. Along with Udaipur, travelers can also make an extended trip to Eklingji and Shrinathji, popular religious destinations. While flights and trains connect the two cities, most travelers prefer driving. A road trip allows flexibility to reach resorts, temples, and nearby attractions like Eklingji, Shrinathji, Kumbhalgarh, or even Chittorgarh. Here’s a guide from a recent road trip on this route.

Choosing Your Route

If you’re traveling from Eastern Ahmedabad, the Airport Road – Naroda – Chiloda route lets you bypass Gandhinagar. From Western Ahmedabad, you can take the Sarkhej – Gandhinagar highway or the Naroda–Chiloda stretch, depending on convenience and traffic.

Highway Condition and Construction Updates

The Ahmedabad–Udaipur highway is well-built, fast, and safe. However, travelers should note that around five locations may get congested due to ongoing flyover construction. These locations include:

• Near Prantij

• Motipur circle in Himmatnagar

• Gamdi

• Railway overbridge after Gambhoi

• Between Raigadh and Javanpura

Side lanes are available, but the Himmatnagar stretch remains challenging due to heavy traffic on this busy national highway. Beyond Shamlaji, the highway is fully completed up to Udaipur. Travelers heading to Nathdwara, Shrinathji, or Eklingji should use the newly built bypasses for smoother access.

Stops and Food Options

For clean and branded options, check out ‘Honest’ restaurants near Prantij (Ahmedabad–Himmatnagar direction) and just before Shamlaji (Rajasthan–Shamlaji direction). Highway-side eateries also offer snacks like bhajiya, batata vada, and other local dishes.

Safety and Toll Tips

Groups posing as eunuchs may attempt to stop vehicles at speed-breakers, railway crossings, or tolls. Keep windows shut and continue driving. Also, attach a FASTag to avoid paying double toll fees; FASTags are available at counters near most plazas.

Shamlaji Mandir: A Worthwhile Stop

At around two hours from Ahmedabad, Shamlaji Mandir is perfect for a break. The temple houses a tall black-stone idol of Trivikram Vishnu with a Garuda murti in front. Sculptures on the outer walls include both dharmik and artistic carvings. Large elephant statues at the entrance make for great photo stops. Dress modestly to enter the temple.

Shopping and Local Produce

Outside Shamlaji, local markets sell fresh vegetables at lower prices than city markets. You can also try local snacks like gota and bhajiya with kadhi.

Mileage and Driving Tips

If you drive between Ahmedabad and Vadodara at an average speed of 80 km/h, your car’s mileage improves significantly compared to city driving. On the Ahmedabad–Vadodara expressway, I recorded around 18 km/l, whereas in city traffic, it drops to about 10 km/l. On the Ahmedabad–Udaipur highway, especially after Shamlaji, mileage is slightly lower—around 14 km/l—mainly due to multiple flyovers. The engine works harder to climb these slopes, which reduces efficiency compared to the flat Ahmedabad–Vadodara expressway. Still, highway driving provides much better mileage than driving within the city.

Highway Changes

A few years ago, the Rajasthan side of the Ahmedabad–Udaipur highway had numerous liquor shops with prominent Gujarati signboards welcoming travelers. Today, fewer shops are visible due to the construction of flyovers and the new highway alignment. Additionally, government regulations now require liquor shops to be set back 220–500 meters from the highway, so they are no longer directly visible from the road, and signboards are much less common than before.