Photo: Socrates veeramani · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bangalore to Chennai cab, quiet enough to work in
Chennai is around 349 km from Bangalore on NH48, through Hosur, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Kanchipuram. Six to seven hours on one of the best highways in the country.
This is mostly a working drive, and an electric car suits it. The BYD e6 has no engine noise to talk over, so a call from the back seat sounds like a call from an office. The fare is fixed at booking and the chauffeur is the same one the whole way.
Book this tripBangalore to Chennai distance and travel time
- Distance: 349 km one way
- Travel time: 6–7 hours
- Route: NH48 via Hosur, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Kanchipuram
- Charging stop: One stop, budget an hour
- Car: BYD e6 electric SUV, 4 seats, 4 large suitcases
Charging on the Bangalore to Chennai route
We leave Bangalore at 100% and plan one charging stop of about an hour, usually around Krishnagiri where NH48 has the most options. We are still field-verifying the chargers on this corridor — our chauffeurs charge at each one and photograph it before we name it here — so for now our operations team confirms the specific stop for your booking.
We are field-verifying the chargers on this route — our chauffeurs charge at each one and photograph it before we list it here. Until then, our operations team plans and confirms the charging stop for your specific booking.
What to know about this drive
- NH48 is four to six lanes and tolled for most of its length. Tolls are billed separately from the fare.
- Getting out of Bangalore towards Hosur and into Chennai past Sriperumbudur are the two slow sections. A departure before 07:00 or after 11:00 makes a material difference at the Bangalore end.
- This is a common one-way corporate route. If you need a drop only, book it as a one-way rather than a round trip.
Places to stop between Bangalore and Chennai
- Hosur: The state border and the end of the Bangalore urban stretch.
- Krishnagiri: The main highway services town on the route, and where we usually charge.
- Vellore: The Golden Temple at Sripuram and Vellore Fort, both a short detour off NH48.
- Kanchipuram: Temple town and silk weaving, about 75 km short of Chennai.
Frequently asked questions
Is a one-way drop from Bangalore to Chennai available?
Yes, and it is the most common way this route is booked. A one-way drop is priced for the outbound leg only, with no return charge added.
Can I work in the car on the way?
That is one of the better reasons to take this trip in an electric car. There is no engine noise, so calls from the back seat are clear, and the chauffeur is trained not to fill the drive with conversation unless you want it.
Can we stop at Vellore or Kanchipuram?
Yes, both are on or just off NH48. Mention it when you book so the timing accounts for it, particularly if you have a flight or a meeting at the Chennai end.
Can you drop me at Chennai airport?
Yes. Tell us the terminal and your flight time when you book, and we will set the departure with enough margin for the Sriperumbudur stretch.
Will an electric car make it to Chennai without running out of charge?
Yes. We depart at 100% charge and plan one charging stop on the way. The BYD e6 returns 380-420 km on a highway with the air conditioning running and a full load, and we never plan a route that depends on arriving with an empty battery.
What happens if the charging station is not working?
Every planned stop has at least one named alternative within reach, and our operations team checks charger status on the morning of departure. Charger downtime is a real problem on Indian highways, which is why we plan for it rather than hope.
Does the charging stop make the trip longer?
We budget a full hour for a charging stop, and we schedule it where you would want a break anyway - somewhere with a clean restroom and food. Often it takes less, but we plan the day on an hour so a busy charger does not put you behind schedule.
Which car will I get?
Every Shoffr outstation trip is a BYD e6 - a quiet, Innova-sized electric SUV that seats 4 adults and fits 4 large suitcases, with a 71.7 kWh battery.
Are fares fixed, or does the price change on the day?
The fare is fixed when you book. There is no surge pricing and no renegotiation with the driver. Tolls are payable separately on applicable routes.
Can I travel with my pet?
Yes - Shoffr is officially pet-friendly. Indicate pets while booking; a deep-cleaning fee of Rs 500 for cats and Rs 750 for dogs applies.