Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam: cost, coastal route and stops
Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam follows the eastern coast on NH16, crossing the Godavari delta and passing through Eluru, Rajahmundry and Anakapalli. It is a scenic and easy road, and one of the busiest corridors in Andhra Pradesh for buses and trains.
The drive is best split into two halves with a long lunch in Rajahmundry, where the wide Godavari and its bridges make a pleasant break.
What the trip costs
| Distance | about 379 km one way |
|---|---|
| Drive time | about 6.5 to 8 hours with breaks |
| Car fuel | ₹2,753 |
| Car toll | ₹758 (about 6 toll plazas) |
| Car total, fuel and toll | ₹3,511 (₹1,756 each for two people) |
| Semi-sleeper bus | about ₹265 per person |
| Sleeper-class train | about ₹190 per person |
Estimates use CostMyTrip's default assumptions: a petrol car doing 15 km per litre with fuel at the average price across the states on the route, a toll allowance of about ₹2 per km on tolled highway, a semi-sleeper bus and a sleeper-class train, for two adults travelling one way outside festival peaks. Distance is CostMyTrip's estimate and your maps app may show a slightly different road distance.
On these numbers the cheapest way to make the trip is by train at about ₹190 per person. A car for two costs about ₹1,756 per person for fuel and toll alone, but it carries luggage, lets you stop wherever you like, and gets cheaper per person as you add travellers: with four people the same fuel and toll comes to about ₹878 each.
Plan it your way. Change the vehicle, fuel, number of travellers and nights in the planner to get your own total.
Plan Vijayawada to VisakhapatnamStops on the way
- Eluru and the delta. Lush paddy fields and canals line the road here. Fuel and food are easy to find.
- Rajahmundry. A good place for a proper meal beside the Godavari. Try the local sweets and pulasa fish in season.
- Annavaram. The hill temple of Satyanarayana Swamy is close to the highway and popular for a short stop.
By bus, train or air
Many trains link the two cities, including fast daytime services, and they are usually the most comfortable public option. Buses run at all hours. If you are short of time, the drive takes far longer than the train.
What to see in Visakhapatnam
- RK Beach and Kailasagiri in Visakhapatnam.
- Simhachalam Temple on a hill above the city.
- Araku Valley and Borra Caves as a full-day trip from Visakhapatnam.
Tips before you go
- Watch for heavy trucks and fog patches on cold mornings.
- In monsoon and cyclone season check weather alerts before travelling the coast road.
- If you plan to visit Araku, stay a night in Visakhapatnam and start early.
Best time to travel
November to February is the best window. Cyclone risk is highest on the coast in the post-monsoon months, so keep dates flexible.
Frequently asked questions
Is the train faster than driving?
Usually the daytime express trains are competitive with the road and much less tiring.
Where should I stop halfway?
Rajahmundry is the most natural halfway break.
How accurate are these costs?
They are planning estimates from CostMyTrip's calculator, not quotes. Fuel prices, toll rates and fares change, so use them to compare options and confirm the real numbers before you go.
More route guides
- Hyderabad to Vijayawada312 km · car ₹2,893
- Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam629 km · car ₹5,824
- Hyderabad to Tirupati537 km · car ₹4,974
These are planning estimates only. Confirm current fares, tolls and timings before you travel; see our disclaimer.