Compare: Chennai→Mumbai (1,033 km) vs Chennai→Bangalore (290 km). Chennai → Bangalore wins by 743 km (72%). Side-by-side with flight & drive times.
By SnapDistance Team · Updated April 21, 2026
1,033 km
642 miles · Flight: ~1h 47min · Drive: ~16h 47min
290 km
180 miles · Flight: ~52 min · Drive: ~4h 43min
✓ Shorter route
Difference: 743 km (72%) · Flight time difference: ~55 min
Verdict
Chennai → Bangalore is the smarter pick if travel time and emissions matter most: it is 743 km (72%) shorter, saves about 55 min of flight time, and cuts roughly 189 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Choose Chennai → Mumbai only if the destination itself is the reason for the trip.
Chennai → Bangalore is the shorter route at 290 km, which is 743 km (72%) shorter than Chennai → Mumbai. You would save approximately 55 min in flight time by choosing the shorter route.
| Metric | Chennai → Mumbai | Chennai → Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (km) | 1,033 | 290 |
| Distance (miles) | 642 | 180 |
| Flight time | ~1h 47min | ~52 min |
| Driving time | ~16h 47min | ~4h 43min |
| Road distance (est.) | ~1,343 km | ~377 km |
| Drivable? | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-continental | No | No |
| Initial bearing | 311° (NW) | 268° (W) |
| Time-zone shift | None | None |
| CO₂ – flight (per pax) | ~263 kg | ~74 kg |
| CO₂ – driving (per car) | ~230 kg | ~64 kg |
| Fuel cost (est.) | ~$134 USD | ~$38 USD |
Flying from Chennai to Mumbai produces roughly 263 kg of CO₂ per passenger, based on the ICAO/EEA short-haul emission factor of ~0.255 kg per passenger-km. The Chennai → Bangalore flight emits about 74 kg. Choosing the shorter route saves approximately 189 kg of CO₂ per traveler — equivalent to 9 typical tree-years of carbon sequestration. For comparison, driving emits roughly 230 kg and 64 kg per car respectively — meaningful only when the car carries multiple passengers.
The Chennai to Mumbai route covers 1,033 km (642 miles), staying within Asia. Chennai (population: 7,088,000) is located in South India, India, while Mumbai (population: 12,442,373) is in West India, India.
The Chennai to Bangalore route covers 290 km (180 miles), remaining within Asia. Chennai (population: 7,088,000) is in South India, India, and Bangalore (population: 8,443,675) is in South India, India.
Flying from Chennai to Mumbai takes approximately 1h 47min, while Chennai to Bangalore takes 52 min. If driving is an option, expect roughly 16h 47min for the first route and 4h 43min for the second.
Since both routes depart from Chennai, this comparison is especially useful for travelers deciding between Mumbai and Bangalore as a destination.
The 743 km difference between these routes is substantial and will significantly impact travel time and cost.
Both routes are drivable, with road distances of approximately 1,343 km and 377 km respectively. For road trips, the shorter route saves roughly 966 km of driving.
Mumbai (India) has a population of 12,442,373 and is located in the West India region of Asia. As a major metropolis, it offers extensive international connections and diverse attractions.
Bangalore (India) has a population of 8,443,675 and is situated in South India, Asia. This major global city has multiple airports and world-class infrastructure.
Choose this route if your priority is reaching Mumbai (India) — a city of 12,442,373 in the West India region of Asia. Despite being the longer of the two at 1,033 km, it makes sense when Mumbai itself is the destination, the schedule fits better, or ticket prices are noticeably lower. Driving is realistic at this distance, with an estimated 1,343 km of road and a fuel cost band around $134 USD. The initial bearing is 311° (NW), so a great-circle flight leaves Chennai heading roughly NW.
This route is the right call if you are heading to Bangalore (India) — a city of 8,443,675 in the South India region of Asia. It is also the shorter of the two at 290 km, saving about 55 min of flying and around 189 kg of CO₂ per passenger. Driving is feasible — expect roughly 377 km of road and a fuel cost in the $38 USD range. Departing Chennai, the great-circle bearing toward Bangalore is 268° (W).
Chennai (13.08°, 80.27°) and Mumbai (19.08°, 72.88°) sit in the same approximate time zone. Chennai (13.08°, 80.27°) and Bangalore (12.97°, 77.59°) share an approximate time zone. Both routes have manageable time-zone shifts, so jet lag should not be a major factor.
Bangalore is closer at 290 km, which is 743 km (72%) shorter.
1,033 km (642 miles). Flight: ~1h 47min.
290 km (180 miles). Flight: ~52 min.
Flying to Bangalore is faster at ~52 min, saving about 55 min compared to Mumbai.
All distances on SnapDistance are calculated using the Haversine formula, which determines the great-circle distance between two points on Earth's surface. This gives the shortest possible distance over the globe, which is the measurement used for aviation and navigation. Actual travel distances by road or rail are typically 20-40% longer due to terrain, borders, and infrastructure routing. Flight times assume 800 km/h cruising speed with 30 minutes for takeoff and landing. Driving estimates use 80 km/h average speed with a 30% road distance factor.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.