Driving from Mangaluru to Salem? It's roughly a 488 km run, about 7 hours 7 minutes behind the wheel depending on stops and the time you leave. The route mostly follows NH44 (the Tamil Nadu backbone), and fares with Sairgah start at ₹5,753 for a sedan — Innova and Tempo Traveller options are there if you're travelling with family or a larger group.
The Mangaluru to Salem cab ride covers approximately 488 km and usually takes about 7 hours via NH44 (the Tamil Nadu backbone). For this long-haul route, the fare includes driver meals and overnight allowance, no hidden costs at drop. Your advance is escrow-protected, the driver is KYC-verified with GPS, and our team monitors the trip end-to-end in english, hindi, tamil, and telugu.
The drive: roads, tolls and where to stop
Most people break the journey around Coorg, Mysore — decent dhabas and fuel stops there if you want to stretch. an estimated 4 toll plazas (roughly Rs. 410 total, figure is an estimate and confirmed at booking). All tolls and state taxes are included in your Sairgah upfront fare, so you pay nothing extra to the driver. Summer (April to June) afternoons are hot on open highways; early morning departures are recommended.
Car options for the Mangaluru–Salem run
A sedan (Dzire, Amaze, Etios — comfortable for four adults) is the default choice and the cheapest, starting at ₹5,753. Step up to an SUV like an Innova or Ertiga if you've got six people or a lot of bags, or a Tempo Traveller (12–17 seats) for bigger groups and wedding or corporate travel. Every vehicle is AC, cleaned before the trip, and driven by a verified, GPS-tracked driver. We also pick up door-to-door from nearby places like Mangaluru, Ullal, Bantval if that's closer to you.
What the fare actually includes
The number you see when you book is the number you pay at the end. That covers fuel, toll tax, state entry tax, the driver's meals, GST and parking — built up from the 488 km distance at the vehicle's per-km rate plus the driver's daily allowance. There's no "toll extra, sir" at the end of the trip. Short routes may carry a minimum-km floor.
Should you book one-way or round?
Two ways to book: a one-way drop, where you're not charged for the driver's return if they can pick up another fare back; or a round trip, where the driver waits and brings you home. One-way usually costs less if you're flying or training back. Round trip makes sense if you want the car with you at Salem for local sightseeing or a return within a couple of days.
Every driver on the Mangaluru–Salem route knows the corridor — we don't send a city cabbie out on an unfamiliar highway for their first time. Free cancellation up to four hours before pickup, GPS tracking on every vehicle, and a real person on the phone if anything comes up. Book online or message us on WhatsApp for a custom quote.
