Delhi to McLeodganj Road Distance: 480 km · 9-10 hours · Cab from ₹5,280
Delhi → Karnal → Ambala → Rupnagar → Una → Kangra → McLeodganj
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
480km
Drive time
9hrs
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Driving Delhi to McLeodganj: what this corridor is like
Hill-trained drivers
Every driver on this corridor has logged the climb in all four seasons and carries chains from December to February.
Start before sunrise
Leaving by 5 AM clears the plains before traffic and puts you on the ghat section in daylight, which is the whole point of a road trip here.
Permits and stops handled
Rohtang, Atal Tunnel timings, Kufri parking, Kempty falls — the driver knows which need a permit and which are worth the detour.
How far is McLeodganj from Delhi?
The distance from Delhi to McLeodganj is 480 km by road via NH-44 & NH-20, and the drive takes about 9-10 hours. A one-way AC cab starts from ₹5,280 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
480 km
Drive Time
9-10 hours
Cab From
₹5,280
Fuel (self-drive)
₹3,429
Delhi to McLeodganj distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 480 km (298 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 9-10 hours
- Best route / highway
- NH-44 & NH-20
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹5,280 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹7,200 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹8,640 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹11,040 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹3,429 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Delhi to McLeodganj: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 480 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 9-10 hours
- Cost
- From ₹5,280
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- Nearest railhead + timetable
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 10-14 hrs
- Cost
- Most economical
- Comfort
- Shared, fixed stops
- Best For
- Backpackers, low budget
Flight
- Travel Time
- Nearest airport + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest leg, transfers both ends
- Best For
- Long distances, time-critical
For Delhi to McLeodganj, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Delhi to McLeodganj cab fare
Fuel and driver included · Tolls and taxes extra
Sedan
Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 Seater
Ertiga SUV
Maruti Ertiga · 6 Seater
Innova Crysta
Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 Seater
Tempo Traveller
12-Seater AC · 12 Seater
* Toll & state tax extra at actual. Fares based on 480 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
March to June and September to November. Monsoon has landslide risks.
Local insider tip
McLeodganj is the home of Dalai Lama. Visit Bhagsu Falls and Triund trek starting point.
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Delhi to McLeodganj FAQs
What is the distance from Delhi to McLeodganj by road?
The road distance from Delhi to McLeodganj is 480 km via NH-44 & NH-20, running through Karnal, Ambala, Rupnagar. That is the driving distance a car actually covers, not the straight-line distance.
How long does it take to drive from Delhi to McLeodganj?
About 9-10 hours via NH-44 & NH-20, which makes this a full day behind the wheel rather than a half-day trip. A 5-6 AM start is what gets you in before dark; leaving late turns the last stretch into night driving.
How much does a cab from Delhi to McLeodganj cost?
A cab from Delhi to McLeodganj starts at ₹5,280 for an AC sedan, ₹7,200 for an Ertiga, ₹8,640 for an Innova Crysta and ₹11,040 for a 12-seater Tempo Traveller. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
How is the Delhi to McLeodganj drive broken up?
The route passes Karnal then Ambala then Rupnagar then Una then Kangra. On a 9-10 hours journey that is a natural set of stages: take the first break around Karnal before the traffic thins, and plan the longer halt near Rupnagar.
Should you break the Delhi to McLeodganj journey overnight?
At 9-10 hours it is doable in one day with an early start and many passengers do it. Two things change the answer: a driver on a run this long needs real rest breaks, and arriving after dark somewhere unfamiliar is the part people regret. If the schedule allows, an overnight halt near Una splits it comfortably.
Which vehicle is best for the Delhi to McLeodganj road?
This route includes hill sections, so the vehicle matters more than on a plains run. An Ertiga or Innova Crysta from ₹7,200 handles gradients and hairpins with a full load better than a sedan, and a Tempo Traveller from ₹11,040 is the usual choice for a group. The road-condition notes on this page describe the stretch in detail.
When should you avoid travelling from Delhi to McLeodganj?
March to June and September to November. Monsoon has landslide risks. Those windows are about the road rather than the forecast - a closed or damaged stretch changes the journey time, not just the comfort. Confirm conditions before booking in the months named above.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Delhi to McLeodganj?
A one-way cab is cheaper when you only need the drop - you do not pay for the empty return. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver waiting, which is normally better value for a same-day return on a 9-10 hours route.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Delhi to McLeodganj?
Self-driving Delhi to McLeodganj costs roughly ₹3,429 in fuel one way at about 14 km/l. A Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so toll and state tax are the only extras.
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