Women take the wheel: Breaking barriers on india’s roads

For Anupreeti Ajit More, a 48-year-old home baker from Kolhapur, driving was a skill she never thought she’d possess. Not because she wasn’t capable, but because no one around her ever encouraged her to try. That changed when she sat behind the wheel, and it felt like reclaiming a part of herself she never knew was missing.

Across India, women have always been travelers, crossing cities and states, managing families, and shouldering responsibilities. Yet, when it comes to driving, especially long-distance self-drive journeys, women have historically participated far less. This gap isn’t due to ability, but rather a lack of confidence, access, and supportive spaces.

Embarq Motorworld, a self-drive experiential travel company, is working to change this narrative. Founded by Sujal Patwardhan and Medha Joseph, Embarq has spent over a decade helping women take charge of their journeys, both on the road and within. Their Bold Route Series, launched in 2025, features all-women self-drive expeditions, including a 4,000 km journey from Kutch to Kibithoo, covering 11 cities and 9 states.

These expeditions have shown that with the right support and encouragement, women can overcome their fears and discover a sense of independence and confidence. “The road offers a sense of self that daily life rarely makes space for,” says Medha Joseph, co-founder of Embarq.