Bhopal to Indore by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

The largest and the most populous city of Madhya Pradesh, Indore is a place of history, art, and culture. Its rich royal heritage still has its faint traces around the city, balanced with modern trappings and urban development. The city is also considered as the cleanest city of India and a major educational hub.

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Why travel from Bhopal to Indore?

Located on the Malwa Plateau, Indore features the highlights of the Deccan region’s landscape and makes for a charming place for a holiday. You can easily travel to Indore from its sister city, Bhopal.

The best way to do this is to plan a road trip from Bhopal to Indore. When you book a cab from Bhopal to Indore with Savaari, you get to customize your entire itinerary, from route map to budget, and everything else, and make the trip as exciting as you want.

Let us help you with the best way to travel from Bhopal to Indore.

bhopal to indore by road

Traveling from Bhopal to Indore by car

From one historical place to another, a road trip from Bhopal to Indore is quite experiential. The road from Bhopal to Indore passes through the heart of the Deccan Plateau, winding through the rugged terrain of the plateau, surrounded by sandstone and granite mountains.

With our Bhopal to Indore tour packages, you can enjoy a scenic drive through old towns and sleepy villages. Along the way, you will pass through places like Sehore and Dewas.

You can stop at any of these places or halt for quick photos, or grab a bite, on the way, and add some adventure to your drive with savaari car rentals.

bhopal to indore roadtrip

Best Time to Visit

Sitting close to the center of the Deccan Plateau, Indore experiences a semi-arid climate. Summers are usually very hot and dry all throughout, while winters are pleasant with cool days and chilly nights. December and January are the coldest months.

Hence, the best time for a trip from Bhopal to Indore is during the winter, between November and February. The post summer months, i.e., the rainy season is also a good time to travel, with the monsoon showers keeping the temperatures conducive enough to explore and add some greenery to the surroundings.

Popular Routes from Bhopal to Indore

Route 1: Distance and Time Taken from Bhopal to Indore via NH86

This is the fastest and shortest route between Indore and Bhopal and is mostly used by interstate travelers. The distance from Bhopal to Indore via this route is roughly 200 KM and takes about 4 hours to reach.

You can expect some traffic on weekends or holidays on this route. That’s why it is recommended to always check for live traffic updates for real-time info on Bhopal to Indore road conditions.

Here’s a basic Bhopal to Indore road map for this route:

Bhopal — Sehore — Ashta — Sonkatch — Dewas — Kshipra — Indore
Bhopal to Indore via NH86

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

  • Saru Maru Caves, Sehore – An archaeological site, significant for an ancient monastic complex and Buddhist caves, good for a quick tour.
  • Delawadi Jungle Camp, Sehore – A section of the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, good for a jungle day trek or camping overnight.
  • Bager Village, Ashta – An ancient village of the state, reflecting old traditions and culture, good for photo ops and touring.
  • Kehoni Wildlife Sanctuary, Dewas – A reserved forested area housing different species of wild animals, and offers options for jungle treks and a quick safari.
  • Maa Chamunda Tekri, Dewas – A hilltop viewing point with a sacred temple, offering panoramic views of the town and its neighborhood, good for sunrise views.
Saru Maru Caves
Saru Maru Caves

Places to eat along this route:

  • New Famous Kashmiri Dhaba, Sehore – Standard highway side dhaba-style diner popular for non-vegetarian fare, good for groups, late nights.
  • Pappu And Pappu Dhaba Ashta, Bahadarpura – Highway side food court serving a variety of food options, good for quick stops and late nights.
  • Highway Treat, Dodi– Locally popular food court serving multi-cuisine meals and snacks, family and kids friendly.
  • FB Restaurant, Dewas – Family restaurant, serving North and South Indian meals and snacks in a lounge-like setting.

Bhopal to Indore Road Condition via NH86:

The road conditions from Bhopal to Indore on route NH86 are excellent. It is the fastest route with light traffic, despite some tolls on the way, but there are no road closures.

Route 2: Distance and Time Taken from Bhopal to Indore via Indore – Bhopal Road and MP SH 41

This is an alternative route to travel from Bhopal to Indore but this is a much longer route than the previous one. The distance from Bhopal to Indore via this route is about 236 km, and takes nearly two hours more.

Also, this route is not very commonly used since there are chances of road closures or unexpected detours. Before traveling, make sure to check live maps and traffic updates to avoid any inconvenience on your drive.

Bhopal — Jharkheda — Kalapipal Gaon — Tilawad — Ashta — Sonkatch — Dewas — Indore
Bhopal to Indore via Indore – Bhopal Road and MP SH 41

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

  • Bager Village, Ashta – An ancient village of the state, reflecting old traditions and culture, good for photo ops and touring.
  • Killa Mandir, Ashta – An old Jain temple, sitting on a hillock, known for its views of the surrounding landscape, good for sunrise/sunset views.
  • Kehoni Wildlife Sanctuary, Dewas – A reserved forested area housing different species of wild animals, and offers options for jungle treks and a quick safari.
  • Maa Chamunda Tekri, Dewas – A hilltop viewing point with a sacred temple, offering panoramic views of the town and its neighborhood, good for sunrise views.
Kehoni Wildlife Sanctuary
Kehoni Wildlife Sanctuary

Places to eat along this route:

  • Yashoda Family Restaurant, Kalapipal –  A locally popular, family-run diner, with outdoor seating, good for late nights and big groups.
  • Rajput Restaurant, Bishan Kheda – Local restaurant serving multi-cuisine meals in a casual setting, good for families and groups.
  • Fauji Dhaba & Family Restaurant, Sonkatch – Local highway side eatery serving North Indian meals, good for groups and late nights, family friendly.

Bhopal to Indore Road Condition via route 2:

The road conditions from Bhopal to Indore on route 2 are also good. It is a longer route with probable traffic, despite some tolls on the way, and there may be roadwork on this route.

Savaari travel magazine

Bhopal to Indore Best Route

Both the above routes seem good for traveling from Bhopal to Indore, each with interesting sightseeing and food options. However, the first route is shorter, faster and is used regularly by travelers, while the second route is not widely used by interstate travelers because of local highway traffic and possible road closures. So, all in all, it looks like the route via NH86 is the best option for traveling from Bhopal to Indore.

Other means of traveling from Bhopal to Indore

By Train

You can travel the Bhopal to Indore distance by train. There are a total of 22 weekly trains and 6 daily trains, plying between these two cities. The train travel time from Bhopal to Indore can vary from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the train you take. The fastest train on this route is the JP BPL EXPRESS (19711).

For Bhopal to Indore train booking, visit the Indian Railways website or any other online travel portal and get the best deals. Check with the Indian Railways website for the most updated schedule for train timings.

You can also hire a car rental in Bhopal to visit your destination.

By Flight

You can also take a flight from Bhopal from Indore. The city is served by Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport (IDR), about 8 KM away from the city center. Flights from Bhopal to Indore take about five hours, including stopovers. From there, you can book an Indore airport taxi to reach your destination.

Check with online travel portals or airline websites for the best deals and flight options. You can also book a cab in Bhopal to visit Indore.

Attractions in Indore for Sightseeing

A city steeped in history and natural beauty, there’s a lot to see and explore in Indore. Check out these best local attractions in Indore –

  • Lal Bagh Palace – A stately 19th-century palace, this was the former royal residence of the Holkar dynasty. Spread across 28 acres, the property features lush surroundings of landscaped gardens, classic European architecture.
  • Rajwada Palace – An 18th- century structure, this palace is one of the most eminent ancient buildings in Indore. The opulent property boasts a 7-storey palace, beautiful gardens and sculptures, with an artificial waterfall and fountains.
  • Central Museum of Indore – A state-run museum with exhibits of art and artifacts ranging from the prehistoric age to modern civilization, mythological sculptures and carvings, ancient coins, arms and weapons dating back to the 11th century and more.
  • Patalpani Waterfall – Surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills, this rocky waterfall drops from 300 meters and is a popular picnic spot among locals and tourists alike.
  • Popliyapala Regional Park – A public park with bridges, fountains, canals and boating options, good for day trips and picnics.
  • Indore White Church – A British era church and the most iconic in the city, this church features striking European architecture with white stone and marble. Visit during Christmas for the best experience.
  • Kanch Mandir – An ancient Jain temple designed with fine glass panels and mosaics, and depicts various aspects of Jainism with idols and statues.

Hire a car rental in Indore to visit these major tourist places.

Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Indore

Indore’s food culture is popular around the country with the city priding itself as the street food capital of India. You’ll also find a host of other cuisines and global dishes.

Try these top-rated places to sample the local flavors –

  • Nafees Restaurant, Greater Kailash Road, New Palasia
  • Fagun Restaurant, Lasudia Mori Dewas Naka, near Bhaskar Academy
  • Mediterra, Sayaji Hotel, Scheme No. 54, Vijay Nagar
  • Anand Alu Ki Kachori Lal Balti Wali, Rajendra Nagar Main Rd, Near Railway Station
  • 56 Dukan clean street food hub, New Palasia
  • Little Monk, Nirvana Hotel & Resort

Book a cab in Indore to visit these major eateries.

Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Indore

Hotel Name Address Phone Number
Clarion Inn Indore Near Aurobindo toll plaza, Ujjain – Indore Rd, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453111 07312925244
WOW Hotel Plot No. 106 Scheme No. 54 PU – 3 Commercial, AB Rd, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452010 07316711111
Essentia Luxury Hotel Indore Near World Cup Square, Pipliyahana, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452016 NA
Sayaji Hotel H/1, Scheme No.54, Vijay Nagar, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452010 07314006666
Sheraton Grand Palace Bypass Road, Omaxe City 1, Mayakhedi, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 452016 07314880000

Download our Savaari car booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey.