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
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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
- Nearest railhead + timetable
- 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
- Nearest airport + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest leg, transfers both ends
- 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 475 km via Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass, running through Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Jispa. That is the driving distance a car actually covers, not the straight-line distance.
How long does it take to drive from Manali to Leh?
About 12-15 hours (2-day recommended) via Manali-Leh Highway via Rohtang Pass, 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 Manali to Leh cost?
A cab from Manali to Leh starts at ₹5,225 for an AC sedan, ₹7,125 for an Ertiga, ₹8,550 for an Innova Crysta and ₹10,925 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 Manali to Leh drive broken up?
The route passes Rohtang Pass then Keylong then Jispa then Sarchu then Tanglang La. On a 12-15 hours (2-day recommended) journey that is a natural set of stages: take the first break around Rohtang Pass before the traffic thins, and plan the longer halt near Jispa.
Should you break the Manali to Leh journey overnight?
At 12-15 hours (2-day recommended) 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 Sarchu splits it comfortably.
When should you avoid travelling from Manali to Leh?
June to September only. Road closed October to May due to snow. 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 Manali to Leh?
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 12-15 hours (2-day recommended) route.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Manali to Leh?
Self-driving Manali to Leh costs roughly ₹3,393 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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