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
Since 2015 · 4.9★
Pay after trip · No hidden charges · 10,000+ happy travellers
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
- 10-13 hrs
- 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
- 1-1.5 hrs + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest but airport transfers needed
- 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.
Why 10,000+ travellers choose Triveni Cabs™
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GPS-tracked vehicles
Best Prices
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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 approximately 480 km via NH-44 & NH-20. By air the straight-line distance is shorter, but 480 km is the actual driving distance you cover by car, cab or bus.
How long does it take to drive from Delhi to McLeodganj?
The drive from Delhi to McLeodganj takes approximately 9-10 hours via NH-44 & NH-20 in normal traffic. Starting early morning (5-6 AM) helps you avoid city congestion and reduces total travel time.
How much does a cab from Delhi to McLeodganj cost?
A cab from Delhi to McLeodganj starts at ₹5,280 for an AC sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios). An Ertiga SUV starts at ₹7,200, an Innova Crysta at ₹8,640, and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller from ₹11,040. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
What is the cab fare for an SUV or Innova from Delhi to McLeodganj?
An Ertiga SUV from Delhi to McLeodganj starts at ₹7,200 and an Innova Crysta at ₹8,640 for the 480 km trip. The published rates are ₹15/km for Ertiga and ₹18/km for Innova, with the outstation minimum applied. Ertiga seats 6 passengers and Innova seats 7; both are options for families and hill or rough-road sections.
What is the best route from Delhi to McLeodganj?
The recommended and fastest route from Delhi to McLeodganj is via NH-44 & NH-20. Popular stops en route include Karnal, Ambala, Rupnagar, Una, Kangra. Our drivers know all alternative routes and pick the optimal path based on live traffic, road work and weather.
How much toll do you pay from Delhi to McLeodganj?
Toll charges from Delhi to McLeodganj depend on the highway plazas on NH-44 & NH-20 and are paid at actual via FASTag. The driver handles all toll payments and they are added transparently to your final bill — there are no hidden charges.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Delhi to McLeodganj?
If you self-drive, expect roughly ₹3,429 in petrol/diesel one-way for Delhi to McLeodganj (based on about 14 km/l). Booking a Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so you only pay toll and state tax extra.
Can I reach McLeodganj from Delhi by train, bus or flight?
Yes — Delhi to McLeodganj is connected by road (9-10 hours by cab), and most major routes also have trains and state/private buses. A private cab is the most flexible option with door-to-door pickup, no fixed timing and freedom to stop en route.
What is the best time to travel from Delhi to McLeodganj?
March to June and September to November. Monsoon has landslide risks. For the smoothest drive, start early in the day to avoid traffic and reach McLeodganj with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops en route from Delhi to McLeodganj?
Popular stops en route include Karnal, Ambala, Rupnagar, Una, Kangra. These make convenient halts for food, fuel, restrooms and photos, breaking up the 480 km journey comfortably.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Delhi to McLeodganj?
If you only need a single drop, a one-way cab from Delhi to McLeodganj is cheaper because you do not pay for the return run. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver to wait and bring you back — it works out economical for same-day return.
What vehicles are available for Delhi to McLeodganj, and is night travel safe?
Triveni Cabs™ offers AC Sedan, SUV (Innova/Ertiga) and 12-seater Tempo Traveller for Delhi to McLeodganj, all GPS-tracked with verified drivers. Daytime travel is recommended, but our experienced drivers handle night drives on the NH-44 & NH-20 safely too.
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