Distances precomputed from OpenStreetMap road data (© OpenStreetMap contributors) — results are instant and nothing is sent anywhere.
Find the road distance between any two cities in Nepal instantly — Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and more than 50 places across all seven provinces. The calculator shows the actual driving distance by road, an approximate driving time, and the straight-line (air) distance, with both places plotted on a map. No app, no sign-up — pick two cities and the answer is instant.
Distances are computed from OpenStreetMap's real road network — the same data used by modern navigation apps — so they reflect today's highways, including the Sindhuli BP Highway route to Janakpur and the east–west Mahendra Highway. Where more than one highway connects two places — for example Kathmandu to Jhapa via the BP Highway or the longer way via Mugling–Narayanghat — the calculator lists each road separately with its own distance and time, and you can tap a route to see it drawn on the map.
| Route | Road distance | Driving time* |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu → Pokhara | 201 km | ≈ 2 hr 56 min |
| Kathmandu → Bharatpur (Chitwan) | 148 km | ≈ 2 hr 20 min |
| Kathmandu → Birgunj | 138 km | ≈ 2 hr 16 min |
| Kathmandu → Hetauda | 85 km | ≈ 1 hr 37 min |
| Kathmandu → Janakpur | 224 km | ≈ 2 hr 46 min |
| Kathmandu → Butwal | 262 km | ≈ 3 hr 48 min |
| Kathmandu → Lumbini | 307 km | ≈ 4 hr 29 min |
| Kathmandu → Biratnagar | 376 km | ≈ 4 hr 39 min |
| Kathmandu → Dharan | 383 km | ≈ 4 hr 40 min |
| Kathmandu → Nepalgunj | 510 km | ≈ 6 hr 44 min |
| Kathmandu → Dhangadhi | 666 km | ≈ 8 hr 33 min |
| Pokhara → Bharatpur (Chitwan) | 128 km | ≈ 1 hr 32 min |
| Pokhara → Butwal | 158 km | ≈ 2 hr 2 min |
| Butwal → Nepalgunj | 249 km | ≈ 2 hr 57 min |
*Free-flow driving estimates from map data. Tourist buses and public transport typically take 1.5–2× longer with stops, traffic and hill roads.
In Nepal the difference between straight-line and road distance is bigger than almost anywhere: highways wind through hills and river valleys, so the road is often 1.5–2.5× the air distance. Kathmandu to Pokhara is about 145 km by air but 201 km by road; Kathmandu to Dhangadhi is around 500 km by air but 666 km by road. That's why flight times and bus times feel so different — and why this tool shows both numbers.
Times come from routing over OpenStreetMap's road network with typical speeds per road class — the free-flow time a private car could achieve in light traffic. Real journeys take longer: Kathmandu valley exit traffic, roadworks, monsoon landslides on hill highways and meal stops all add time. For planning a bus trip, multiplying the shown time by 1.5–2 is a realistic rule of thumb.
Measure a plot of land on the map with Measure Land on Map, check dates for travel with the Nepali Patro, calculate your vehicle's yearly tax with the Vehicle Tax Calculator, and test your connection speed on the road with the Internet Speed Test.
About 201 km by road via the Prithvi Highway, roughly 3 hours of free-flow driving — tourist buses usually take 6–8 hours with stops and traffic. The air distance is about 145 km, which is why flights take only 25 minutes.
52 major cities and towns give instant results as you type — every major city (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Bharatpur, Birgunj, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi…), provincial capitals, and towns like Ilam, Tansen, Besisahar, Beni, Gorkha and Lumbini. But you're not limited to them: type any village, bazaar or landmark and choose "Search on the map", or press My location to measure from wherever you are standing.
Road distances are calculated over OpenStreetMap's mapped road network and are typically within a few kilometres of signposted highway distances. Where a brand-new road has opened recently, the map data may lag slightly.
The time shown is a free-flow estimate for a private vehicle. Buses stop for passengers and meals, hill highways slow heavy vehicles, and Kathmandu traffic alone can add an hour — multiply by 1.5–2 for a realistic bus estimate.
The distance table is built into the page, so results are instant and use almost no data. Only the small map preview loads image tiles from OpenStreetMap.
Yes — add the cities to the address, for example ?from=Kathmandu&to=Ilam, and the calculator opens with that route already selected.