General Santos City to Cagayan de Oro City bus guide

Buses board at the GSC Bulaong Terminal in General Santos City and terminate at the Agora Bus Terminal in Cagayan de Oro. The journey spans roughly 390 kilometers and this direct route is primarily operated by Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI).

Route overview and terminal information

• Average travel time: 8 to 9 hours depending on highway traffic and checkpoint clearances.
• Operating hours: Daily departures run from early morning until late evening, at 1- to 2-hour intervals.
• Fares: Air-conditioned bus fares range between P795 and P985 depending on whether you take a standard or premium express coach.

Step-by-step bus route sequence

The bus follows the interior highway network of SOCCSKSARGEN before merging onto the Sayre Highway in Bukidnon:

• Bulaong Terminal departure: Leaves GenSan heading northwest along the Marbel-General Santos Highway, passing Polomolok and Tupi.
• Koronadal City (Marbel): Makes its first major stop at the Koronadal City Bus Terminal.
• Tacurong City: Travels north out of South Cotabato and enters Sultan Kudarat, stopping at the Tacurong City Bus Terminal.
• Cotabato Province interior: Heads northeast from Tacurong into Cotabato Province, passing sequentially through M'lang and Matalam.
• Kabacan junction: Arrives at the major highway junction in Kabacan, turning north to exit the Cotabato terrain.
• Southern Bukidnon (Sayre Highway): Crosses the provincial border into Bukidnon, driving through Damulog and Kibawe.
• Maramag junction: Pulls into the Maramag Bus Terminal, a primary rest stop for meals and driver shifts.
• Bukidnon backbone: Continues due north along the highway through Valencia City, Malaybalay City, and Manolo Fortich.
• Agora Terminal arrival: Descends the mountain curves into Misamis Oriental and concludes the trip at the Agora Bus Terminal.

Practical bus tips

• ID readiness: Because this route slices through South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, and Bukidnon, you will encounter multiple military and municipal checkpoints. Keep a valid ID in your daypack for quick inspections.
• Temperature changes: The weather transitions from the hot plains of GenSan and Tacurong to the colder, high-altitude mountain air of Bukidnon. Keep a jacket inside the bus cabin with you.
• Cash is essential: Roadside vendors and terminal restrooms along this interior track do not commonly accept digital payments. Keep loose coins and small bills handy.