Uber, a ride-hailing app, unveiled the latest edition of its ‘Intercity Ride’ index on Monday , shedding light on the growing popularity of long-distance road travel among Indians.
The index revealed that the Mumbai-Pune route topped the list of most-traveled intercity destinations in India, followed by Delhi-Agra and Bangalore-Mysore.
The index also revealed other popular routes for leisure travel, including includes Mumbai – Nashik, Mumbai -Lonavala, Mumbai -Matheran, Mumbai -Alibaug, Bangalore-Nandi Hills, Bangalore -Chikmagalur,Delhi-Vrindavan, Chennai- Puducherry, Chennai -Vellore, Chennai -Thiruvannamalai, Hyderabad- Mehbubnagar, Hyderabad -Warangal, Hyderabad -Medak, Kolkata- Nadia, Kolkata -Digha, Kolkata -KharagpurChandigarh- Delhi, Chandigarh -Ludhiana, Chandigarh -Solan, Chandigarh -Amritsar, Ahemdabad -Vadodara and Ahmedabad – Surat were also among the frequently traveled routes, reflecting India’s diverse travel preferences.
“The expansion of national highways and expressways has significantly reduced travel times, making long-distance journeys more seamless and appealing” stated the spokesperson.
According to report Uber recorded its highest-ever intercity trip bookings in 2024, surpassing all previous years. This growth, the company stated, was fueled by Indians’ increasing preference for weekend getaways, improved road infrastructure, and expanding highway networks.
Shweta Mantri, Head of Rider Verticals at Uber India and South Asia, expressed her excitement, saying, “Whether for quick getaways, family visits, or exploring new places, we’re thrilled to be part of our riders’ journeys.”
The report indicated Sundays as the most popular day for intercity trips, followed by Saturdays and Fridays, highlighting the preference for weekend travel. March, May, June, August, and September emerged as peak months, driven by long weekends, holidays, and festivals. Pilgrimages, family visits, tourism, business meetings, and events were identified as the main reasons for intercity travel.
To make travel more convenient, Uber introduced features like Reserve, allowing riders to book trips up to 90 days in advance with pre-assigned drivers, and Round Trips for multi-stop journeys of up to five days. Riders also preferred retaining vehicles for multi-stop journeys, especially for leisure travel or religious visits, underscoring the demand for convenience.
“Safety remains a top priority for Uber, with 24×7 live support now available for intercity trips, ensuring a seamless travel experience” stated the report.
