Chennai to Vellore by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

Vellore popularly know as the ‘fort city of Tamil Nadu’, the transit hub for travelers. It is famous for on prominent eductaional instatitution VIT & leather exports in India. The star attraction of this city is the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple.

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Why travel from Chennai to Vellore?

A city steeped in history and religion, Vellore stands as a fine depiction of Tamil Nadu’s ancient heritage. Sitting on the Palar River, the town boasts architectural influences of its historical ruling dynasties in its temples, forts, and monuments, making it an intriguing destination for travelers of all kinds. 

The arcane edifices and the divine environment of the temples render a unique vibe to the town of Vellore, which you must experience slowly and gradually. Hence the best way to travel to Vellore is to book a cab from the nearby city of Chennai and do a road trip. When you book a cab with Savaari from Chennai to Vellore, you can avail of a completely customizable trip, that suits your budget and travel needs, thus making it a memorable journey.

chennai to vellore by road

Travelling from Chennai to Vellore by car

The road from Chennai to Vellore cuts through the small towns and interesting locales between these two prominent cities. With our Chennai to Vellore tour packages, you can enjoy a scenic drive and make interesting stop overs at places enroute. Along the way, you will pass towns like Sriperumbudur, Kaveripakkam, and Ranipet, of course depending on the route you take. You can stop by any of these places for a quick tour, photo ops, or to taste the local flavors.

Chennai to Vellore Roadtrip

Best Time To Visit

Sitting in the landlocked areas of the Eastern Ghats, Vellore experience typical weather pattern of plainlands. The summers are extremely hot and humid followed by rains and cooler months. Winters in Vellore are pleasant, but not very cold, hence it is the best time to visit this town. December and January are the coldest months. You can also visit during or after the monsoon period, that is around September or October.

Popular Routes from Chennai to Vellore

Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Chennai to Vellore via NH48

This is the shortest and the best route to travel from Chennai to Vellore. Despite tolls on the way, this is the fastest route because the Chennai to Vellore traffic on this route is regular and you can avoid road closures. The distance on this route from Chennai to Vellore is approximately 138 KM and takes about three hours to reach. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on the road conditions from Chennai to Vellore.

Here’s the basic route map from Chennai to Vellore – 

Chennai — Sriperumbudur — Marutham — Kanchipuram — Ocheri — Arcot — Ratnagiri Kilminnal — Vellore
Chennai to Vellore via NH48

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

  • Rajiv Gandhi Memorial, Sriperumbudur – A memorial park dedicated to Rajiv Gandhi, featuring landscaped gardens, lotus ponds, and carved stone walls. 
  • Ekambaranathar Temple, Kilambi – A 12th century Hindu temple complex dedicated to Shiva, distinguished by tiered towers and a colorful pillared hall, good for a day tour.
  • Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram – An ancient Hindu temple known for intricate stone carvings on its pyramid shaped tower and numerous shrines, perfect for a historical tour or pilgrimage.
  • Ocheri Dam, Ocheri – A small dam off the main highway, surrounded by greenery, good for a refreshing break, best visited during or after monsoon. Also check out the torrential Kadapperi water drop nearby.  
  • Palar Anekattu, Chennasamudram – A massive dam on the Palar River, surrounded by expansive fields, good for morning tours or a picnic break. 
Ekambaranathar Temple
Ekambaranathar Temple, Kilambi

Places to eat along this route:

  • Fatair, Sriperumbudur – Standard highway side diner serving quick meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, good for big groups, kid-friendly. 
  • Spice Street – Multi Cuisine Restaurant, Kanchipuram – Upscale family restaurant serving local dishes and thalis among multi-cuisine food, good for groups, late nights. 
  • Murugan Idli Shop, Kaveripakkam – Chain restaurant serving specialty idlis and other traditional local dishes in a casual setting, good for quick stops, breakfasts. 
  • Darling Namma Veedu Non-Veg, Wajalapet – Standard highway side eatery serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, good for groups and families. 
  • Savoury Sea Shell Restaurant By Naafa, Arcot – Family restaurant chain serving Indian and Arabic cuisines, good for families and big groups.

Chennai to Vellore Road Condition via route 1:

The road conditions from Chennai to Vellore on route 1 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 Chennai to Vellore via Kamarajar St. 

This is an alternative route for travelling from Chennai to Vellore. This route is a little longer and takes a little more time to travel than the previous route. This route also has tolls on the way. The distance from Chennai to Vellore on this route is about 164KM and takes about an hour more. Always use live maps to check for road closures or check for other traffic updates while traveling on highways.

Here’s the basic route map from Chennai to Vellore along this route:

Chennai — Thiruvallur — Tiruttani — Rajarajan Aravam — Sholingur — Walajapet — Arcot — Ratnagiri Kilminnal — Vellore
Chennai to Vellore via Kamarajar St.

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

  • Poondi Lake and Reservoir, Pullarabakkam – A huge local waterbody with dams, reservoir, and a canal system, good for sunset views. 
  • The Big Rock – Mambakkam Mountain, Thiruttani – A huge boulder on the edge of a hill, by the highway offering panoramic views, good for photo ops or short treks. 
  • Captain Jack Point, Ranipet – A local waterfall in a forested area surrounded by greenery, good for bathing, picnics, or day treks.
Poondi Lake and Reservoir
Poondi Lake and Reservoir, Pullarabakkam

Places to eat along this route:

  • Sangeetha Veg Restaurant, Chennai – A family restaurant off Chennai city limits serving vegetarian fare, good for groups and families. 
  • Chettinese, Periyakkupam – A casual restaurant serving Indian-Chinese fusion food in an artful setting, good for lunch and dinner. 
  • Golden Spoon Restaurant, Thiruvallur – Standard highway side restaurant serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian multicuisine meals, good for groups, late nights.
  • Mathsya Café, Thiruttani – Small casual café serving quick meals, snacks, and café menu, good for breakfast and tea. 
  • Savoury Sea Shell Restaurant By Naafa, Arcot – Family restaurant chain serving Indian and Arabic cuisines, good for families and big groups.

Chennai to Vellore Road Condition via route 2: 

The road conditions on this route from Chennai to Vellore is also quite good. But it is a little longer route than the previous one and can have some road closures, since it passes through some remote areas in the state.

Chennai to Vellore Best Route

Both the above routes are good for traveling from Chennai to Vellore. However, Route 1 seems to have more sightseeing options on the way with a lot of food options than Route 2. So, if you want to reach faster and/or looking for a good grub on your drive, then Route 1 is your best choice.

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Other means of travelling from Chennai to Vellore

By Train

You can also travel from Chennai to Vellore by train. There are total 88 trains between these two cities in Tamil Nadu. The fastest train from Chennai to Vellore is MSB VLR MEMU FAST (66017) and it takes three hours and 40 minutes to reach Vellore.

For all train bookings from Chennai to Vellore, visit any online travel portal or Indian Railways’ website for latest information. You can also directly hire a car rental in Chennai to reach Vellore.

By Flight

There is currently no flight service between Chennai and Vellore, since the Vellore Airport is under construction. Hence, the best way to travel is to take a train or book a cab in Chennai to reach Vellore.

Attractions in Vellore for Sightseeing

With history, heritage, religion, and culture, Vellore makes for a significant example of Tamil Nadu’s past. You can discover the rich legacy of Dravidian rulers, in the city’s historical and religious structures.

  • Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple – An ornate gold-covered temple, sitting within a huge complex. The entire temple façade is coated in 1500 kilograms of gold leaf and spreads across 100 acres of land.
  • Vellore Fort – A 16th-century fort with ramparts, gardens, and a moat, spreading over 133 acres of land, fortified by granite walls and flanked by a moat which presently offers boat rides for tourists
  • Jalakandeswara Temple – A 16th-century temple built in Vijayanagara architecture, and boasts an intricately sculpted stone pillar, engraved ceilings and ornate sculptures of religious texts and events.
  • Ratnagiri Murugan Temple – A 14th-century temple with colorful façade, sitting atop a hill. 
  • Balamathi Hills – A local haunt atop a hilly area with viewing points, popular for sunset and sunrise views and day treks. 
  • Archelogical Survey of India Museum – State-run Museum preserving historical and archeological findings.
  • Periyar Park – Locally popular public park with landscaped gardens, roller-skating zones, and rides for children. Also good for bird watching. 

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

Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Vellore

Check out these top-rated restaurants and cafes in Vellore – 

  • The Vellore Kitchen, Near Green Circle, NH 46 Service Rd
  • Sai Suprabaatam, Katpadi Rd, opp. to CMC Outgate
  • China Town, Sripuram, Kagithapatarai
  • Tak Interesting Food, Thottapalayam
  • GRT Regency Gingee Restaurant, Regency Sameera Vellore by GRT Hotels

Book a cab in Vellore to visit these major eateries.

Hotels and Resorts in Vellore

Hotel Name Address Phone Number
Fortune Park Vellore 7th East Main Rd, Suthanthira Ponvizha Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Katpadi, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632006 04162207777
Regency Sameera Vellore by GRT Hotels No.145, Green Circle, New By-pass Rd, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004 04162206466
Darling Residency 11/8, Anna Salai, Kosapet, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632001 04162213001
Grand Ganpat Hotel Vellore 1, Thiyagarajapuram, Anna Salai, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632001 09500380222
ZiP By Spree Hotels Surabi International 33, Officers Line, Anna Salai, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632001 04162216399

Download Savaari cab booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey.