The Bangalore–Wayanad drive is one of South India's best road trip routes, roughly 290km and 6 hours, but genuinely worth treating as part of the trip rather than something to rush through. Here's how to do it well.
The Route
The most common path runs Bangalore → Mysuru → Gundlupet → Sulthan Bathery → Vythiri, mostly via NH275 and NH766. Roads are well-maintained for most of the drive, with the final stretch through Bandipur and Nagarhole forest areas being the most scenic, and also the section with the most wildlife-crossing caution needed.
Worth Stopping For
- Mysuru : roughly the halfway point; a good breakfast or coffee stop, and worth an hour if you've never seen Mysore Palace
- Bandipur National Park : the forest stretch itself is worth slowing down for; early morning or dusk gives the best chance of spotting deer or elephants from the road (never stop the car in the core zone)
- Gundlupet : small town with decent food options if you need a proper meal break before the final push into the hills
Timing It Right
The Bandipur–Nagarhole forest stretch has restricted night driving hours (typically 9pm–6am, though this can vary. Check current timings before you go), so plan to clear that section well before dark. Leaving Bangalore by 7–8am comfortably gets you through with daylight to spare and time for stops along the way.
What to Pack in the Car
Snacks and water (stretches of the forest road have no shops), a printed or downloaded map in case of patchy signal through the reserve, and a light jacket, as a temperatures drop noticeably once you start climbing into the Wayanad hills.
Need the Other Routes?
If you're coming from Mangalore, Calicut, or Kannur instead, we've mapped those routes too. See the route map on our homepage for turn-by-turn waypoints and driving times from each city.
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