Manali to Leh Road Distance: 475 km · 12-15 hours (2-day recommended) · Cab from ₹5,225
Manali → Rohtang Pass → Keylong → Jispa → Sarchu → Tanglang La → Leh
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
475km
Drive time
12hrs
Since 2015 · 4.9★
Pay after trip · No hidden charges · 10,000+ happy travellers
Driving Manali to Leh: 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 Leh from Manali?
The distance from Manali to Leh is 475 km by road via Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass, and the drive takes about 12-15 hours (2-day recommended). A one-way AC cab starts from ₹5,225 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
475 km
Drive Time
12-15 hours (2-day recommended)
Cab From
₹5,225
Fuel (self-drive)
₹3,393
Manali to Leh distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 475 km (295 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 12-15 hours (2-day recommended)
- Best route / highway
- Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹5,225 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹7,125 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹8,550 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹10,925 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹3,393 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Manali to Leh: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 475 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 12-15 hours (2-day recommended)
- Cost
- From ₹5,225
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- 13-17 hrs
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 13-18 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 Manali to Leh, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Manali to Leh 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 475 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
June to September only. Road closed October to May due to snow.
Local insider tip
This is an epic 2-day road trip. Stay overnight at Jispa or Sarchu. Carry altitude sickness medicine. SUV recommended.
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Manali to Leh FAQs
What is the distance from Manali to Leh by road?
The road distance from Manali to Leh is approximately 475 km via Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass. By air the straight-line distance is shorter, but 475 km is the actual driving distance you cover by car, cab or bus.
How long does it take to drive from Manali to Leh?
The drive from Manali to Leh takes approximately 12-15 hours (2-day recommended) via Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass 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 Manali to Leh cost?
A cab from Manali to Leh starts at ₹5,225 for an AC sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios). An Ertiga SUV starts at ₹7,125, an Innova Crysta at ₹8,550, and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller from ₹10,925. 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 Manali to Leh?
An Ertiga SUV from Manali to Leh starts at ₹7,125 and an Innova Crysta at ₹8,550 for the 475 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 Manali to Leh?
The recommended and fastest route from Manali to Leh is via Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass. Popular stops en route include Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Jispa, Sarchu, Tanglang La. 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 Manali to Leh?
Toll charges from Manali to Leh depend on the highway plazas on Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass 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 Manali to Leh?
If you self-drive, expect roughly ₹3,393 in petrol/diesel one-way for Manali to Leh (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 Leh from Manali by train, bus or flight?
Yes — Manali to Leh is connected by road (12-15 hours (2-day recommended) 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 Manali to Leh?
June to September only. Road closed October to May due to snow. For the smoothest drive, start early in the day to avoid traffic and reach Leh with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops en route from Manali to Leh?
Popular stops en route include Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Jispa, Sarchu, Tanglang La. These make convenient halts for food, fuel, restrooms and photos, breaking up the 475 km journey comfortably.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Manali to Leh?
If you only need a single drop, a one-way cab from Manali to Leh 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 Manali to Leh, and is night travel safe?
Triveni Cabs™ offers AC Sedan, SUV (Innova/Ertiga) and 12-seater Tempo Traveller for Manali to Leh, all GPS-tracked with verified drivers. Daytime travel is recommended, but our experienced drivers handle night drives on the Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass safely too.
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