Emil George from Kerala drives through the Indian mainland in 97 days setting a record for the fastest solo car expedition

Emil George Kerala content creators sets record for fastest solo drive on the Indian mainland

Automobile/travel enthusiast and digital content creator Emil George says he did not research too much when he embarked on a road trip that covered 28 States and six Union Territories, which comprises mainland India. It came with its surprises and rude shocks too. “We landed in Tripura at night, little realising there was a night curfew in the State. We were suddenly surrounded by cops asking us why we were out so late. Apparently, robberies are common during the night. We spent the whole night in the car waiting at their camp for daybreak!” says Emil, the India Book of Records for the Fastest Solo Car Expedition across the mainland of India record holder.

As part of his ‘Discover India’ trip, he traversed 19,426 kilometres in 97 days, setting out on September 20, 2022, and returning to Kochi on December. 26, 2022  He was awarded the certificate in late-April this year.

The experience in Tripura was one of the many he collected as he drove through the country. “I drove all the way, I had a friend who was there to give me company,” he clarifies. The intention of the drive was not a record, “it was only after a friend suggested that I apply for one, I realised I may have set a record!” As a digital creator of travel-based content, since 2018-19, he is not new to driving long distances. He once went more than 1,000 kilometres from Patna to Meerut, on the Purvanchal Expressway over 20-odd hours, “driving gives me immeasurable happiness” says the 35 year-old.

Driving through changing landscapes where temperatures soared and dipped are experiences he cherishes. “I gathered a bunch of experiences related to food, people, driving styles and road etiquette and sometimes the absence of it. Mizoram has easily the ‘quietest’ roads in the country with zero honking and disciplined drivers. Sikkim too, to a large extent. Driving in Mizoram is like driving in Europe, sensibility-wise!” His share of aggressive driving came thanks to encounters on the Pune-Vapi highway, where truck drivers “show no mercy.” 

“There is no ideal time to drive through India weather-wise. It is either going to be too hot or too cold”, Emil says when asked about the time he chose to make the journey. He made the journey in his SUV, a Tata Harrier, and is relieved to have returned ‘without a scratch’. The minor vehicle troubles were sorted by the company. “We could not have done it without them,” he quips.  Driving on terrain that was sometimes hostile, he had equipment such as anti-skid snow chains, gadgets to check tyre pressure, lights etc ready, just in case. Since he has a vehicle detailing business these trips are ideal for him to test equipment.    

Had the going been smoother and he had driven continuously, Emil says he would have made it back quicker. For instance, he lost 12-odd days due to landslides in Sikkim and Ladakh. The forced halt at Ladakh was more adventurous than he had bargained for. Ladakh does not get many travellers let alone people on road trips, like Emil, during winter. Those that get there, need special permits to access certain parts of Ladakh. Permits are required for States in the Northeast such as Manipur where checking is stringent. 

“However due to the impact of climate change among other factors, snowfall was delayed and we were able to get as far as Demchok, 250 kilometres from Leh, close to the Tibetan border,” he says. A landslide forced them to stay in Dras and Kargil for 10 days in sub-zero temperatures. Tourists cover the Ladakh-Hanle-Umingla-Demchok-Hanle-Ladakh route over four days but Emil did it in one day.