Bengaluru to Mysuru by Self-Drive: Route, Time and Cost Guide

Mysuru is roughly 140-150 km from Bengaluru, and by self-drive it takes about three to three and a half hours each way, mostly on the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway section of NH275. A day trip is easy in almost any car in our fleet, and a two-day trip gives you time for the sights without a rushed evening drive back.

Which route should you take from Bengaluru to Mysuru?

The default route is NH275 through Bidadi, Ramanagara, Channapatna, Maddur and Srirangapatna. The expressway stretch opened in 2023, and most of the drive now runs on a divided, high-speed road with tolls. We do not quote toll amounts here, so use a live toll calculator and budget them as a separate trip cost.

Starting from the south helps. Renters collecting from Electronic City or HSR Layout reach the Bidadi side of NH275 faster than those starting from Whitefield, which adds a cross-city leg first. The same corridor leads on to Coorg, and our Electronic City NH275 guide explains why the southern start matters.

How long does the drive take, and when should you leave?

Plan on roughly three to three and a half hours one way in light traffic, and longer on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons when the Bengaluru end of the road is busy. Check a live map on the morning you travel, because roadworks and weekend volume change the answer.

• Distance: roughly 140-150 km one way, so about 300 km for the round trip before local driving.
• Best departure: early morning, ideally before 7 am, so the outbound drive is clear and the city is not yet crowded.
• Return: leave Mysuru by late afternoon to avoid arriving in Bengaluru at the evening peak.
• Late return: our grace period is 60 minutes, then a flat ₹150 per hour, so build slack into the schedule.

What does a Mysuru day trip or 2-day trip cost?

The table below combines our listed day rate with an estimated fuel or charging cost. Fuel is not included in the day rate; you pay for what you use, as set out in the fuel policy. The fuel figures are estimates, scaled pro rata from each car page's Coorg fuel estimate (Coorg being roughly 260 km from Bengaluru), assuming about 320 km for the day trip and about 360 km for two days with local driving. Tolls are extra, and the deposit is refundable.

Car	Day rental	Est. fuel (~320 km)	Day trip total	2-day rental	Est. fuel (~360 km)	2-day total
Maruti Swift	₹1,200	₹1,800	₹3,000	₹2,400	₹2,000	₹4,400
Hyundai i20	₹1,350	₹1,850	₹3,200	₹2,700	₹2,100	₹4,800
Honda City	₹1,800	₹2,200	₹4,000	₹3,600	₹2,450	₹6,050
Hyundai Creta	₹2,400	₹2,050	₹4,450	₹4,800	₹2,300	₹7,100
Toyota Innova Crysta	₹3,200	₹2,900	₹6,100	₹6,400	₹3,250	₹9,650
Tata Nexon EV	₹2,000	₹1,150	₹3,150	₹4,000	₹1,300	₹5,300

The cheapest sensible option is the Maruti Swift at ₹3,000 for the day, with a ₹8,000 refundable deposit. A group of five with luggage is better served by the Hyundai Creta. On a trip this short, most of the price gap between cars comes from the day rate rather than fuel, so choose on seating and boot space first.

A simple timeline for each version

For a day trip, leave by 6:30 or 7 am, reach Mysuru by mid-morning, visit one major sight before lunch, and start back by 3:30 or 4 pm. That keeps the return ahead of the evening build-up around the city edge. For two days, the first day can end with an easy evening walk and dinner, while the second morning covers a second sight and a relaxed departure after lunch. Either way, share your plan with us over WhatsApp, since a shorter or longer booking changes the rental cost and the fuel level you should return at.

Is the Nexon EV enough for a Mysuru trip?

Yes, with a plan. The Tata Nexon EV has a rated range of 275 km, which covers the one-way drive comfortably. The round trip of about 300 km is beyond a single charge once you add AC use and city driving, so it needs one charging stop, either in Mysuru or on the way back. Our own breakdown is in Is the Nexon EV enough for Mysuru?, and the general mindset is covered in EV range anxiety in Bengaluru.

Because real-world range falls with speed and air conditioning, treat 275 km as a ceiling. Check where your Mysuru stay or lunch stop has a charger before you book, and charge fully before leaving Bengaluru.

Which car suits a Mysuru trip?

For two to four people

A hatchback or the Honda City is enough. The expressway is smooth, so ground clearance matters little, and highway mileage of 20 km/l for the Swift and 18 km/l for the City keeps fuel modest. Boot space is the limit: the Swift fits 2 bags and the City 3.

For families and larger groups

The Toyota Innova Crysta seats 7 with room for 5 bags, at the highest day rate in this table. If you are weighing it against the Fortuner, see Fortuner vs Innova Crysta.

What is worth doing in Mysuru?

Commonly visited places include Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, the Srirangapatna area on the way in, and Brindavan Gardens near KRS Dam. Opening hours, ticket rules and any evening illumination schedules change, so check each attraction's current timings before you plan the day. Palace-area parking can fill up, so allow extra time at midday.

A day trip works if you accept one or two major sights and a lunch stop. With two days, you can see the palace area in the morning, rest through midday, and drive back the next day without a late-night return. Before you collect any car, please review the verification process and the damage and liability policy.