Delhi to Manali by road
The Delhi to Manali distance by road is about 540 km, roughly 12 hr 30 min of driving. The four-lane Kiratpur–Nerchowk road and its tunnels have cut hours off the old Swarghat route. Facts last checked in October 2026.
- Distance
- 540 km
- Drive time
- 12 hr 30 min
- Tolls (car, one way)
- See tolls below
- Fuel (petrol car)
- ~₹3,940
The best route: Via Kiratpur, Bilaspur and Mandi
Highways: NH-44 → NH-205 → NH-3
- Delhi
- Ambala
- Kharar
- Ropar
- Kiratpur
- Bilaspur
- Mandi
- Aut
- Kullu
- Manali
Toll plazas from Delhi to Manali
| Toll plaza (in order) | Car, one way |
|---|---|
| Panipat | Check FASTag app |
| Bastara (Karnal) | Check FASTag app |
| Solkhian (Kharar–Ropar) | Check FASTag app |
| Garamoura (Bilaspur) | Check FASTag app |
| Takoli (Mandi) | Check FASTag app |
| Dohlunala (Kullu) | Check FASTag app |
Collection on the Kiratpur–Manali plazas has been suspended at times after monsoon damage. Cars registered outside Himachal pay a state entry tax at the border barrier: ₹170 from 1 April 2026 (FASTag being rolled out at the main barriers). NHAI revises toll rates every April; a return trip within 24 hours is usually cheaper than two single journeys.
Delhi to Manali fuel and toll cost
A petrol sedan uses about ₹3,940 of fuel one way and an SUV about ₹5,510. Change the car, fuel price and group size to see your own cost.
- Fuel
- ₹7,880
- 1080 km
- Tolls
- Not known
- check your FASTag app
- Total
- ₹7,880+
- return
- Per person
- ₹3,940+
- 2 sharing
Delhi pump prices, October 2026. Hill roads, AC and traffic use more fuel than highway driving; parking, state entry taxes and local sightseeing drives are extra.
Fuel calculator for other trips.
Where to stop on the way
Murthal dhabas~50 km from Delhi
Parathas on NH-44; go early, they get crowded.
Mandi~420 km from Delhi
Big town on the Beas, good for a late lunch and fuel before the gorge.
Pandoh Dam~440 km from Delhi
Roadside viewpoint over the Beas reservoir.
Road conditions and tips
- Cars registered outside Himachal pay a state entry tax at the border barrier: ₹170 from 1 April 2026 (FASTag being rolled out at the main barriers).
- The Mandi–Kullu stretch along the Beas is prone to landslides and closures in the monsoon (July–September); check road status every morning.
- The Aut tunnel is long and narrow; switch on headlights and keep your distance.
- Dense morning fog on NH-44 through Haryana and Punjab is common in December and January; leave later or keep extra time.
- Leave Delhi by 4–5 am to reach Manali before dark, or split the drive with a night in Mandi.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Delhi to Manali distance by road?
About 540 km on the recommended route (Via Kiratpur, Bilaspur and Mandi), which takes roughly 12 hr 30 min without long breaks. Manali to Delhi is the same distance on the same route in reverse.
Which is the best route from Delhi to Manali?
Via Kiratpur, Bilaspur and Mandi, via Ambala, Kharar, Ropar, Kiratpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Aut, Kullu. The four-lane Kiratpur–Nerchowk road and its tunnels have cut hours off the old Swarghat route.
When should I leave Delhi for Manali?
Leave Delhi by 4–5 am to reach Manali before dark, or split the drive with a night in Mandi.
Can I reach Manali without a car?
Overnight HRTC and private Volvo buses from Delhi (ISBT Kashmere Gate and Majnu ka Tilla) take about 12–14 hours.
Sources: angelone.in, tribuneindia.com, trivenicabs.in. Distances and times are typical; traffic, weather and roadworks change them.