Road trip guide

Jharsuguda Varanasi

Planning to travel from Jharsuguda to Varanasi? It is about 640 km by road and 12 to 15 hours by bus. Here is the whole journey: the towns on the way, the best time to leave, and how to travel comfortably.

about 640 kmabout 12 to 15 hours4 big stops on the way

Photo: Dashashwamedh Ghat, Saaremees, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick answer

Jharsuguda to Varanasi by bus takes about 12 to 15 hours and covers about 640 km by road, via Lohardaga, Chatra, Dehri, Sasaram. 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.

Jharsugudastart
Lohardaga
Chatra
Dehri
Sasaram
Varanasi arrive

What the road is like

From Jharsuguda the road passes Lohardaga, Chatra, Dehri and Sasaram before reaching Varanasi.

Varanasi on the Ganga is one of the holiest cities in India, known for its ghats and the evening Ganga aarti.

Jharsuguda is a fast-growing industrial town of Western Odisha with its own airport. It is a natural starting point for journeys west and north.

Trains also connect the Jharsuguda area with Varanasi. 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 Jharsuguda to Varanasi.

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 Varanasi 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 Jharsuguda to Varanasi take by bus?

About 12 to 15 hours, depending on traffic, stops and the exact road.

How far is Varanasi from Jharsuguda by road?

About 640 km.

Which towns are on the way from Jharsuguda to Varanasi?

Lohardaga, Chatra, Dehri and Sasaram.

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 Jharsuguda to Varanasi?

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.