Road trip guide

Bhubaneswar Ranchi

Planning to travel from Bhubaneswar to Ranchi? It is about 450 km by road and 9 to 10 hours by bus. Here is the whole journey: the towns on the way, the best time to leave, and how to travel comfortably.

about 450 kmabout 9 to 10 hours2 big stops on the way

Photo: Hundru Falls, Kingshuk Mondal, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick answer

Bhubaneswar to Ranchi by bus takes about 9 to 10 hours and covers about 450 km by road, via Choudwar, Keonjhar. An overnight trip: leave in the evening and arrive in the morning, rested.

The journey, stop by stop

The big towns the road passes, in order.

Bhubaneswarstart
Choudwar
Keonjhar
Ranchi arrive

What the road is like

From Bhubaneswar the road passes Choudwar and Keonjhar before reaching Ranchi.

Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, sits on a cool plateau ringed by waterfalls. It is a centre for education, government and mining business.

Bhubaneswar, the Temple City, is the capital of Odisha and its biggest hub for work, study and travel. Long-distance buses leave from here for every part of eastern and southern India.

Trains also connect the Bhubaneswar area with Ranchi. Check IRCTC for direct trains and current availability: on festival and holiday dates they often sell out weeks ahead.

Why go by bus, not train?

Why more and more people now choose the road for Bhubaneswar to Ranchi.

Board near home: a bus stops at towns and junctions along the way, so you do not have to travel to a big station first.
Seats when trains are full: on popular dates, train seats to Ranchi sell out weeks ahead, while buses add capacity close to the date.
Live tracking your family can follow, so nobody has to call you at midnight to ask where you are.
A proper berth to sleep in: a modern AC sleeper coach gives you your own lie-flat berth with curtains, charging and a reading light.
Why buses are growing: new expressways, better coaches and online booking with seat choice have made long-distance road travel faster and far more comfortable than it was a few years ago.

Tips for the journey

Pick a lower berth if you get up at night, and an upper berth if you want the most privacy and the least foot traffic.

Carry a light shawl: AC coaches run cool after midnight, even in summer.

Keep your ID, phone charger and water in a small bag at your berth, and the big bag in the luggage hold.

Share your live bus tracking link with family before you sleep, so they can see where you are without calling.

Eat a light dinner before boarding. Long-route coaches stop for meals, but timings depend on the road.

Questions travellers ask

How long does Bhubaneswar to Ranchi take by bus?

About 9 to 10 hours, depending on traffic, stops and the exact road.

How far is Ranchi from Bhubaneswar by road?

About 450 km.

Which towns are on the way from Bhubaneswar to Ranchi?

Choudwar and Keonjhar.

When is the best time to leave?

An overnight trip: leave in the evening and arrive in the morning, rested.

Is it better to go by bus or train from Bhubaneswar to Ranchi?

Both work. A bus lets you board near home and often has seats when trains are full; a train can be faster on some routes. For a trip this long, choose an AC sleeper berth.

Useful links: the road route on Google Maps and IRCTC for current trains. Distances and times are rounded and vary with traffic and stops.

Last updated 15 October 2026 by the Nandighosh travel team.