Dehradun to Mussoorie: Complete Distance & Transport Guide
Dehradun to Mussoorie Distance Summary
| Transport option | Distance / route | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| GMOU bus (from Dehradun ISBT) | 35 km via Rajpur Road | 50–70 minutes | ₹60–₈₀/person |
| Shared taxi (from Dehradun ISBT) | 35 km via Rajpur Road | 40–55 minutes | ₹100–₁₅₀/seat |
| Private taxi (from anywhere in Dehradun) | 35 km via Rajpur Road | 45–60 minutes | ₹600–₁,000 per vehicle |
| Private taxi from DDN railway station | 37 km (station + Rajpur Road) | 50–70 minutes | ₹700–₁,100 per vehicle |
| Private taxi from Jolly Grant Airport | 60 km (airport → Dehradun → Mussoorie) | 1.5–2 hours | ₹1,200–₁,800 per vehicle |
| Self-drive (own car) | 35 km via Rajpur Road (SH-57) | 45–60 minutes | Fuel only; toll ₹0 (Rajpur Road is toll-free) |
GMOU Bus: Cheapest Option Dehradun to Mussoorie
The GMOU (Garhwal Motor Owners Union) public bus is the cheapest way to travel from Dehradun to Mussoorie. Buses depart from Dehradun ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminal) every 30 minutes throughout the day. The bus runs along Rajpur Road (SH-57) and terminates at Mussoorie Library end (Bus Stand). Fare: ₹60–₈₀ per person. Journey time: 50–70 minutes (traffic-dependent; slower on peak-season afternoons).
Finding the Dehradun ISBT: The Dehradun ISBT is at Parade Ground, near the city centre. It is a different location from the DDN railway station (2 km away). Auto-rickshaw from DDN station to ISBT: ₹50–₈₀.
Luggage: Large luggage can be placed in the bus storage area; smaller bags on your lap or overhead. The bus can be crowded on weekends — arrive 15 minutes before departure to secure a seat. Standing passengers are taken during peak periods.
Shared Taxi: Best Value with Comfort
Shared taxis (usually Sumo or Bolero) run between Dehradun ISBT and Mussoorie Library end. They seat 6–8 passengers and depart when full. Fare: ₹100–₁₅₀ per seat. Journey time: 40–55 minutes. Faster than the bus (fewer stops); more comfortable; slightly more expensive. Shared taxis leave from the stand adjacent to the bus terminal at Dehradun ISBT.
Private Taxi: Most Convenient Option
A private taxi (booked from your hotel, DDN station pre-paid counter, or through a taxi app) takes you directly from your Dehradun starting point to your Mussoorie hotel door — no waiting for the bus to fill, no shared ride discomfort. Cost: ₹600–₁,000 from most Dehradun locations to Mussoorie. Worth it for families with luggage, elderly travellers, or those with hotel reservations not near the bus stand.
The Rajpur Road Ascent
The 35-km Rajpur Road (SH-57) from Dehradun to Mussoorie climbs from 640m to 2,005m — a 1,365m elevation gain over a winding hill road. The road has 25+ hairpin turns. It is well-maintained but narrow in places; oncoming traffic requires care at blind corners. Key milestones on the ascent:
Rajpur (7 km): The first significant town on the ascent. The last reliable fuel stop (petrol pump) before Mussoorie.
Jharipani (27 km, 8 km before Mussoorie): The Jharipani Falls viewpoint is on the right. The road opens up briefly here with Doon Valley views behind you. You are now above 1,800m.
Barlowganj (32 km): A small settlement in the upper section. Some hotels and guesthouses here — cheaper than central Mussoorie with a 3-km auto ride into town.
Library end, Mussoorie (35 km): The bus stand and the start of central Mussoorie. See Mussoorie map guide for orientation from here.
How to Reach Mussoorie from Dehradun
GMOU bus from Dehradun ISBT: ₹60–₈₀, every 30 min, 50–70 min. Shared taxi: ₹100–₁₅₀. Private taxi: ₹600–₁,000. See also Mussoorie to Dehradun guide.
Budget, Hotels & Travel Tips
- Weekend afternoon congestion: The Rajpur Road from Dehradun to Mussoorie is heavily congested on summer (May–June) and autumn (October) Saturday afternoons — delays of 1.5–2 hours are common. The best times to travel are early morning (before 10 AM) or evening (after 6 PM).
- Return journey timing: Mussoorie to Dehradun on Sunday evenings is equally congested. Leave Mussoorie by 3 PM or wait until 7 PM+ for a smooth descent. GMOU buses run until 7 PM from Mussoorie Library end.
- Day trip from Dehradun: The 35-km distance makes Mussoorie a feasible day trip from Dehradun — depart 8 AM, arrive 9 AM, explore until 5 PM, return by 6–6:30 PM. Sufficient for Mall Road, Gun Hill and Kempty Falls; staying overnight gives a much better experience.
FAQs
- How long does it take to travel from Dehradun to Mussoorie?
- Under normal weekday conditions: 45–60 minutes by private taxi or shared taxi; 50–70 minutes by GMOU bus (more stops). On peak summer or autumn Saturdays: 1.5–2 hours or more. The Rajpur Road congestion point is typically in the lower 15 km of the ascent — once past Rajpur town and into the upper switchback section, traffic usually clears. Plan for worst-case if arriving on a peak-season Saturday afternoon.
- Is there a direct bus from Dehradun to Mussoorie?
- Yes — GMOU buses run directly from Dehradun ISBT to Mussoorie Library end (Bus Stand) every 30 minutes. Fare ₹60–₈₀ per person; journey 50–70 minutes. Additionally, Uttarakhand Roadways operates some services. Shared Sumo/Bolero taxis from the same ISBT area are an alternative (₹100–₁₅₀/seat, faster, no fixed schedule — wait to fill). Direct Volvo AC buses Delhi–Mussoorie also stop at Dehradun en route; check at Dehradun ISBT for availability.