Manali to Shimla Road Distance: 250 km · 7-8 hours · Cab from ₹3,300
Manali → Kullu → Mandi → Sundernagar → Bilaspur → Shimla
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
250km
Drive time
7hrs
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Driving Manali to Shimla: 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.
What the Manali to Shimla road is actually like
Shimla to Manali is a full day on the wheel and it is really two roads joined at Mandi. The first half drops out of Shimla past Ghanahatti and Darlaghat, where the cement trucks slow everybody down, and follows the fall of the land to the Sutlej at Bilaspur. From there the run through Sundernagar is the easiest driving of the day, wide and straight along the canal, so most drivers keep their lunch for Mandi. After Mandi the character changes completely. The road squeezes into the Beas gorge past the Pandoh dam, threads a series of tunnels and comes out at Aut, and from Bhuntar to Kullu the valley opens into orchard country. The last hour through Patlikuhal to Manali is the prettiest and the most crowded on weekends. In July and August the Mandi to Aut gorge is where the slides come down, so check before starting. From December the shaded bends near Shimla ice over in the morning and Manali gets its snow, and either way the drive wants daylight all the way.
How far is Shimla from Manali?
The distance from Manali to Shimla is 250 km by road via NH-3 via Mandi, the same road as the outward leg driven in the other direction, and the drive takes about 7-8 hours. A one-way AC cab is ₹3,300 (sedan), Ertiga SUV ₹4,500, Innova Crysta ₹5,400, 12-seater Tempo Traveller ₹6,900. Toll and parking are extra at actuals.
By Road
250 km
Drive Time
7-8 hours
Cab From
₹3,300
Fuel (self-drive)
₹1,786
Manali to Shimla distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 250 km (155 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 7-8 hours
- Best route / highway
- NH-3 via Mandi
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹3,300 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹4,500 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹5,400 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹6,900 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹1,786 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Manali to Shimla: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 250 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 7-8 hours
- Cost
- From ₹3,300
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- 8-10 hrs
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 8-11 hrs
- Cost
- Most economical
- Comfort
- Shared, fixed stops
- Best For
- Backpackers, low budget
Flight
- Travel Time
- Not practical
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest but airport transfers needed
- Best For
- Long distances, time-critical
For Manali to Shimla, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Manali to Shimla 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 250 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
March to June, September to November. Winter roads may have snow blockages.
Local insider tip
The pickup is anywhere in Manali and the drop anywhere in Shimla. The plazas are the same ones as the outward leg in the other order, and the driver settles them on FASTag.
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Manali to Shimla FAQs
What is the distance from Manali to Shimla by road?
Manali to Shimla is 250 km by road via NH-3 via Mandi via Kullu and Mandi and Sundernagar and Bilaspur. It is the same road as Shimla to Manali driven in the other direction, so the kilometres, the highway and the toll plazas are the same; only the order of the stops changes.
How long does it take to drive from Manali to Shimla?
About 7-8 hours for the 250 km. Mountain highway through beautiful pine forests and valleys. Well-maintained but winding.
What does a one-way cab from Manali to Shimla cost?
₹3,300 (sedan), Ertiga SUV ₹4,500, Innova Crysta ₹5,400, 12-seater Tempo Traveller ₹6,900. A one-way drop is charged for the outward distance only; tolls, parking and any state permit are extra at actuals, and the driver settles them on FASTag.
Is the return leg from Manali to Shimla charged differently?
No. The fare is worked from the published rate card on the distance driven, so Manali to Shimla costs the same as Shimla to Manali for the same vehicle. What changes on a return booking is only whether you pay for one leg or two.
When is the best time to drive from Manali to Shimla?
March to June, September to November. Winter roads may have snow blockages.
Book Manali to Shimla or explore the cities
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