Car Rental in Chandigarh for Weekend Trips: 5 Perfect Getaways Under 3 Hours

One of the best things about living in or visiting Chandigarh is the sheer variety of incredible destinations within easy reach. Mountains, plains, spiritual centres, adventure spots, historic sites — all within a 3-hour drive. And the best way to access them all? A car rental in Chandigarh from Gupta Self Drive Cars — your ticket to the perfect weekend, every weekend. Here are five of the best getaways, all under three hours from the City Beautiful, all best experienced with your own set of wheels.

1. Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh — 65 km | 1.5 Hours

Kasauli is the weekend escape that Chandigarh residents return to again and again — and every time, it delivers. This small Himachal hill town was established by the British in the 1840s as a cantonment, and it retains much of that old-world charm today. Tree-lined streets, colonial bungalows, boutique cafes, and almost no commercial crowds (vehicles are restricted in the town centre, adding to the peace).

The drive from Chandigarh is one of the most scenic short drives in the region — climbing gradually through the Shivalik foothills before winding into the hills proper. With a car rental in Chandigarh, you can leave at 6 AM, catch the sunrise over the valley from the Christ Church viewpoint, wander the market, have a long leisurely lunch, and be back in Chandigarh by evening — a perfect Saturday with the family.

Best car for this route: Any hatchback or sedan from Gupta Self Drive Cars, Chandigarh handles Kasauli effortlessly.

2. Morni Hills, Haryana — 45 km | 1 Hour

Morni Hills is Haryana’s only hill station — and its quiet, relatively undiscovered nature makes it all the more appealing for a quick weekend escape. The landscape here is dominated by the Shivalik range, with two interconnected lakes (Tikkar Taal) at the heart of the hill area offering boating, walking trails, and gorgeous green scenery.

What makes Morni Hills especially appealing for a car rental in Chandigarh weekend trip is its proximity. You can realistically leave Chandigarh at 7 AM, spend a full, relaxed day at Morni Hills — hiking, boating, having a picnic lunch — and be home by 7 PM. No rush, no stress, no expensive outstation cab hire.

Best car for this route: A hatchback is perfectly sufficient. Roads are in good condition.

3. Pinjore Gardens (Yadavindra Gardens), Haryana — 22 km | 30 Minutes

For a half-day trip that combines history, architecture, and natural beauty without requiring a full-day commitment, the Mughal-inspired Pinjore Gardens in nearby Pinjore are a hidden gem. Built in the 17th century, these terraced gardens are full of fountains, pavilions, flowering plants, and peacocks. Entry is inexpensive and the atmosphere is peaceful even on weekends.

This destination is particularly popular for families with young children — the gardens are spacious, safe, and genuinely beautiful. Book a compact hatchback from Gupta Self Drive Cars for a relaxed morning drive and afternoon back in Chandigarh. One of the easiest and most enjoyable uses of a car rental in Chandigarh.

4. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh — 110 km | 2.5 Hours

Shimla needs no introduction. India’s most famous hill station, the former summer capital of the British Empire in India, is a destination that never gets old. The Mall Road pedestrian promenade, the historic Ridge, the Jakhu Temple (and its resident monkeys), the Christ Church, the toy train views — Shimla is endlessly charming.

A car rental in Chandigarh makes the Shimla weekend dramatically more enjoyable than going by bus or shared taxi. You control your departure time, you stop at the Kalka train station to see the Toy Train if you like, you take the scenic back roads through Solan if you’re in the mood for adventure, and you have the freedom to explore beyond the main Shimla areas on your own terms.

For a weekend trip, leave Chandigarh on Friday evening after work and return Sunday evening. Two full days in Shimla, driving at your own pace — ideal. Book a sedan or compact SUV from Gupta Self Drive Cars, Chandigarh for the most comfortable experience.

5. Anandpur Sahib, Punjab — 85 km | 1.5 Hours

Anandpur Sahib is one of the most important sites in Sikhism — the place where the Khalsa was founded by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. The Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Gurudwara at its heart is majestic, and the Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum (Punjab State Heritage Museum) is one of the finest museums in Asia, covering 500 years of Sikh history in a stunning architectural complex designed by Moshe Safdie.

Even for visitors who aren’t Sikh, Anandpur Sahib is a profoundly moving and historically fascinating place. And with a car rental in Chandigarh from Gupta Self Drive Cars, getting there and back is completely effortless. The drive takes you through beautiful Punjab countryside — mustard fields in winter, green in the monsoon — before arriving at the dramatic complex at the foot of the Shivalik hills.

Best car for this route: Any vehicle in our fleet is perfect for this smooth Punjab highway drive.

Making the Most of Weekend Car Rental in Chandigarh

A few tips for getting the best out of a weekend car rental in Chandigarh for short getaways:

Book Thursday or Friday morning: Weekend demand peaks on Friday afternoon. Booking earlier in the week secures the vehicle you want at the best rate.

Plan your route in advance: For hill station drives, check current road conditions — especially after monsoon rains. The team at Gupta Self Drive Cars can advise on conditions based on local knowledge.

Leave early: Mountain destinations get crowded after 10 AM on weekends. Leaving Chandigarh by 6–7 AM means you arrive before the rush and enjoy the destinations at their best.

Pack light, travel easy: For day trips and weekend getaways, minimal luggage makes the journey more enjoyable. You’re there for the experience, not to unpack.

Your Weekend Adventure Starts with Gupta Self Drive Cars

At Gupta Self Drive Cars, Chandigarh, we live the weekend road trip culture. We understand what it means to wake up on a Saturday morning, open your door, see your freshly cleaned self-drive car in the driveway, and feel the whole weekend open up with possibility. That’s the experience we want to give every customer who books a car rental in Chandigarh with us.

Whether it’s a solo drive to Kasauli for some quiet, a family day at Morni Hills, or a proper two-night getaway to Shimla — Gupta Self Drive Cars has the right vehicle, the right price, and the right service to make it happen.

Call us today or reach out to book your weekend car rental in Chandigarh. Adventure is closer than you think.