Best September Road Trips From Delhi for Families

By Progressive Tour & Travels — Delhi's trusted tour and travel agency since 2000

September is one of the most underrated months for a road trip out of Delhi. The monsoon is winding down, the hills are washed clean and impossibly green, waterfalls are still in full flow, and — best of all — the summer crowds and peak-season prices are gone. Schools often have a mid-term break around this time too, making it a great window for a family getaway before the winter tourist rush begins.

Here are some of the best family-friendly road trip destinations from Delhi this September, along with what makes each one work well for kids, grandparents, and everyone in between.

1. Nainital, Uttarakhand (approx. 300 km, 7-8 hrs)

Nainital is a classic family hill station for good reason. The lake at the centre of town is perfect for a leisurely boat ride, the Mall Road is easy for kids and elderly family members to walk around, and the cable car up to Snow View Point is an outing in itself. By September, the monsoon has mostly cleared, leaving the surrounding hills lush and the air noticeably cooler than Delhi. Pair it with a short detour to nearby Bhimtal or Sattal if your family enjoys quieter, less touristy spots. You can explore our full Nainital tour package for ready-made itinerary options.

2. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand (approx. 260 km, 6-7 hrs)

If your family includes wildlife enthusiasts of any age, Jim Corbett is hard to beat. September marks the tail end of the park's monsoon closure for many zones, with some ranges reopening and forests at their greenest. Jeep safaris are a hit with kids, and resorts here are built specifically around family stays, with pools, nature walks, and easy access to the Kosi River. Check safari zone openings before you go, since a few zones stay shut a little longer during the monsoon transition. See our Jim Corbett tour for planning help.

3. Mussoorie, Dehradun & Rishikesh, Uttarakhand (approx. 280-300 km, 6-7 hrs)

This one works well if your family wants a mix of hill-station charm and riverside calm in a single trip. Mussoorie's Mall Road, Kempty Falls, and cable car rides are great for younger kids, Dehradun offers an easy overnight stop with good food options, and Rishikesh brings a gentler pace with the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat — a genuinely moving experience for families travelling with older relatives too. September rains leave Kempty Falls at its most dramatic. Our combined Mussoorie-Dehradun-Rishikesh-Haridwar tour covers this entire loop.

4. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh (approx. 350 km, 8-9 hrs)

A little further out but well worth it if you have 4-5 days to spare. Shimla in September has far fewer tourists than the summer months, meaning shorter queues at the Ridge and Mall Road, easier hotel bookings, and pleasant daytime weather that's ideal for family walks. The toy train from Kalka is a memorable add-on if you're travelling with kids who love trains. Explore more with our Himachal tour packages.

5. Neemrana, Rajasthan (approx. 120 km, 2.5-3 hrs)

For families who want a shorter drive and a single-day or overnight escape, Neemrana is ideal. The Neemrana Fort Palace offers a genuinely fun day out zip-lining, a heritage property to explore, and enough open space for kids to run around. Since it's on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, it also makes a great first stop if you're extending the trip further into Rajasthan. Browse our Rajasthan tour packages if you'd like to combine it with a longer circuit.

6. Lansdowne, Uttarakhand (approx. 260 km, 6 hrs)

Lansdowne remains one of the few genuinely quiet hill stations within road-trip distance of Delhi, largely because it's a cantonment town with restrictions on large tourist inflows. That works in your favour for a calm family trip pine forests, a peaceful lake, and none of the crowd management hassles of bigger hill stations. It's a good pick if your family prefers a slower, more relaxed pace over a checklist of sightseeing spots.

Tips for a September Family Road Trip

• Check the weather and road conditions before you leave. Late-monsoon spells can still cause landslides on hill routes, especially towards Uttarakhand and Himachal. A quick check a day or two before departure saves a lot of hassle.
• Choose a vehicle with enough room for luggage and comfort. For families of 6 or more, or when travelling with grandparents and young kids together, a tempo traveller offers far more comfort than cramming into a sedan for a 6-8 hour drive.
• Pack for both rain and sun. September weather in the hills can swing between a bright morning and a sudden shower by afternoon.
• Book accommodations in advance for the mid-month school break window, since this is when family travel demand spikes even in the off-season.
• Build in buffer time, particularly on hill routes, where traffic and road work can add an hour or two to your estimated drive time.

Plan It With Progressive Tour & Travels

Every September, we help dozens of Delhi families plan exactly this kind of trip — a comfortable vehicle, a realistic itinerary, and no last-minute surprises on the road. Whether you need a self-drive-friendly route, a chauffeur-driven car, or a full-size tempo traveller for a larger family group, our team can put together an itinerary around your dates and preferences.

You can explore our road trip packages or reach out directly to plan your September getaway:

📞 +91 844 822 8850 📧 info@progressivetourtravels.com 📍 UG-17, Palika Place, Panchkuian Road, New Delhi 110001 (near R K Ashram Metro Station)

Ready to plan your family's September road trip? Get a free quote from Progressive Tour & Travels and let us take care of the details.