Route overview
There are two common ways to drive: the shorter route that leaves the Ahmedabad highway at Bagodara and goes via Tarapur, avoiding Ahmedabad city, or the route through Ahmedabad and down the expressway. Your driver chooses based on traffic and your pickup and drop points.
Business travellers often book one way to Vadodara and fly or take the train back. Families visiting Pavagadh or the Statue of Unity are better served by a round trip or a 2-day booking.
Distance & travel time
- Approx. distance
- 290–330 km (door to door varies with your pickup and drop points)
- Approx. drive time
- 5.5–6 hours, plus time for breaks and sightseeing
- Usual route
- via Bagodara and Tarapur, or via the Ahmedabad–Vadodara Expressway
- Trip types
- One way, round trip, or multi-day with the same car and driver
- Tolls, parking, permits
- Shown clearly in your quote
Distances and timings are approximate and for planning only. Traffic, roadworks, weather and stops can change them.
Suggested stops on the way
- Rajkot StartPickup from home or hotel.
- Chotila / Limbdi ≈ 50–110 kmBreakfast stops on the Ahmedabad highway.
- Bagodara ≈ 155 kmTurn-off for the Tarapur route.
- Tarapur ≈ 200 kmCrosses towards central Gujarat, avoiding Ahmedabad city.
- Vadodara ≈ 290–330 kmDrop in the city, at the airport, railway station or industrial area.
Things to see in Vadodara
- Laxmi Vilas PalaceThe Gaekwad family's palace, one of India's largest private residences.
- Sayaji Baug and museumsA large garden with the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery.
- Champaner-PavagadhA UNESCO World Heritage Site about 50 km away, with the Mahakali temple on Pavagadh hill.
- EME Temple and Kirti MandirTwo distinctive landmarks in the city.
For more ideas, timings and nearby places, see our Vadodara travel guide.
Travel tips for this route
- Navratri in Vadodara is famous; expect late-night traffic and plan your timings.
- The Statue of Unity is about 90 km from Vadodara, so many travellers combine the two.
- For Pavagadh, the ropeway is the easiest way up to the Mahakali temple; queues are long during Navratri.