Sometimes the road tests your patience, sometimes it gifts you comfort.
I started late from Pathankot, around 10 a.m., after a relaxed breakfast. The plan was simple — a short, three-hour drive to Jammu. But as always, the road had its own script.
The rains had left their marks everywhere. Potholes, half-finished diversions, and long stretches of construction turned what looked easy on the map into a slow crawl. Dust clouds followed trucks, and every few kilometres the road narrowed to a single lane.
By mid-afternoon, I finally rolled into Jammu and checked into a fairly premium hotel. That’s my small rule for solo travel — after rough drives, I don’t mind a night of good food, a clean bed, and a bit of comfort. It balances the fatigue of dhaba lunches and rain-beaten miles.
And Jammu gave me exactly that. No drama, no breakdowns, no rush — just a quiet evening, soft lights, and a hearty meal. I slept early, recharged for the road ahead toward Srinagar.
“Not every stop is about adventure. Some are simply about resting well before the next climb.”