Chennai to Bangalore — Trip Overview
The Chennai to Bangalore corridor is the busiest intercity road route in South India. Every day, thousands of travelers — IT professionals, business executives, families, and students — make this journey by road. The route connects India's fourth-largest city (Chennai) to its third-largest (Bangalore), covering approximately 346 km in around 5 to 5.5 hours under normal traffic conditions.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Road Distance | 346 km (via NH48 through Vellore) |
| Alternate Route | ~330 km (via Krishnagiri directly) |
| Estimated Duration | 5–5.5 hours (non-peak), 6–7 hours (peak traffic) |
| National Highway | NH48 (formerly NH4) |
| State Border | Hosur (Tamil Nadu–Karnataka border) |
| Number of Toll Plazas | 4–5 (depending on route) |
| Total Toll Cost | ~₹400–550 (car/sedan) |
Route Option 1: NH48 via Vellore (Recommended)
This is the most popular and well-maintained route. The highway is 4–6 lanes wide throughout, with excellent road surface quality, ample fuel stations, and multiple restaurant options.
Route Landmarks
- Chennai → Sriperumbudur (40 km, 45 min): Pass through the industrial belt housing Hyundai, Samsung, and Nokia factories. Road widens to 6 lanes after Sriperumbudur.
- Sriperumbudur → Ranipet (65 km, 1 hr): Smooth highway stretch. The Ranipet toll plaza is the first major toll point.
- Ranipet → Vellore (25 km, 20 min): CMC Vellore (Christian Medical College) is a major landmark here. Good breakfast stops available.
- Vellore → Ambur (40 km, 30 min): Famous for leather industry and the legendary Ambur Star Biryani. A food stop here is highly recommended.
- Ambur → Krishnagiri (70 km, 50 min): Highway passes through beautiful mango orchards. Krishnagiri is a good midpoint for rest.
- Krishnagiri → Hosur (45 km, 35 min): The Tamil Nadu–Karnataka border. Hosur is an industrial town with factories of TVS, Ashok Leyland, and more.
- Hosur → Bangalore City (40 km, 30 min – 1.5 hrs): This is where traffic can slow significantly. Entry through Electronic City flyover or Silk Board junction. Avoid the 8–10 AM and 5–8 PM windows to save 30–60 minutes here.
Route Option 2: Via Chittor and Kolar
This alternate route avoids the Vellore stretch and instead goes through Chittor and Kolar. It is slightly shorter (~330 km) but the road quality between Chittor and Kolar is inferior to NH48, with stretches of single-lane road and heavier truck traffic. This route is not recommended for night travel or during monsoon season when the Chittor-Kolar stretch can have waterlogging.
Fare Table by Vehicle Type (2026)
| Vehicle Type | Capacity | Per KM Rate | One-Way Fare (346 km) | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchback (Indica/WagonR) | 4 pax | ₹13/km | ~₹4,500 | Tolls, driver bata, GST |
| Sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios) | 4+1 pax | ₹14/km | ~₹4,850 | Tolls, driver bata, GST |
| SUV (Ertiga/Marazzo) | 6–7 pax | ₹19/km | ~₹6,575 | Tolls, driver bata, GST |
| Innova Crysta | 7 pax | ₹22/km | ~₹7,610 | Tolls, driver bata, GST |
| Tempo Traveller | 12 pax | ₹28/km | ~₹9,690 | Tolls, driver bata, GST |
All fares are one-way, all-inclusive. No return charge, no hidden fees.
Toll Breakdown
The Chennai–Bangalore route via NH48 passes through 4–5 toll plazas. Here is the approximate toll cost for a car or sedan in 2026:
| Toll Plaza | Location (km from Chennai) | Car/Sedan Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Sriperumbudur Toll | ~40 km | ₹75 |
| Ranipet Toll | ~105 km | ₹110 |
| Vellore/Ambur Toll | ~170 km | ₹85 |
| Krishnagiri Toll | ~260 km | ₹95 |
| Hosur/Attibele Toll | ~310 km | ₹70 |
Total estimated toll: ₹435 (car/sedan). SUVs and larger vehicles pay slightly higher. All tolls are included in OneWayTaxi.ai fares.
Best Time to Travel Chennai to Bangalore
- Best Departure: 4:00 AM – 6:00 AM — Clear highway, minimal truck traffic, reach Bangalore before the morning rush starts. You can be in Bangalore by 9:30 AM.
- Good Departure: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM — Night driving is smooth on NH48 with well-lit sections. Arrive in Bangalore by 2–3 AM. Ideal for IT professionals with flexible schedules.
- Avoid: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM departure — You hit Bangalore during peak morning traffic (11 AM – 1 PM), especially around Silk Board and Electronic City.
- Avoid: Friday evenings — Heavy outbound traffic from both cities on weekends. The Hosur–Bangalore stretch can take 2 hours instead of 30 minutes.
Recommended Stops Along the Way
Breakfast Stops
- A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavan), Sriperumbudur (40 km): South Indian breakfast, clean restrooms, quick service.
- Murugan Idli Shop, Vellore (130 km): Famous for soft idlis and variety of chutneys. A go-to stop for early morning travelers.
Lunch Stops
- Ambur Star Biryani, Ambur (170 km): The legendary Ambur-style mutton biryani is worth stopping for. Multiple outlets on the highway.
- Hotel Junior Kuppanna, Krishnagiri (250 km): Known for non-veg South Indian meals and pepper chicken.
Quick Breaks
- HP/Indian Oil fuel stations are available every 30–40 km on the route. Most have clean restrooms and small food counters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chennai-Bangalore highway safe at night?
Yes. NH48 is a well-lit, well-patrolled, multi-lane highway. Night travel is common and generally safe with a professional driver. OneWayTaxi.ai drivers are experienced on this route and equipped with GPS tracking.
Can I get picked up from Chennai Airport?
Absolutely. We pick up from Chennai Airport (MAA), Chennai Central, CMBT, and any address within Chennai city limits.
Can I be dropped at Bangalore Airport (KIA)?
Yes. Bangalore Airport (Kempegowda International Airport) is a popular drop-off point. The airport is located 40 km north of the city, and we adjust the route accordingly.
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