Srinagar to Leh Road Distance: 420 km · 10-12 hours (2-day recommended) · Cab from ₹4,620
Srinagar → Sonamarg → Zoji La Pass → Drass → Kargil → Leh
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
420km
Drive time
10hrs
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Driving Srinagar 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 Srinagar?
The distance from Srinagar to Leh is 420 km by road via NH-1D via Kargil, and the drive takes about 10-12 hours (2-day recommended). A one-way AC cab starts from ₹4,620 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
420 km
Drive Time
10-12 hours (2-day recommended)
Cab From
₹4,620
Fuel (self-drive)
₹3,000
Srinagar to Leh distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 420 km (261 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 10-12 hours (2-day recommended)
- Best route / highway
- NH-1D via Kargil
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹4,620 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹6,300 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹7,560 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹9,660 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹3,000 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Srinagar to Leh: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 420 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 10-12 hours (2-day recommended)
- Cost
- From ₹4,620
- 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
- 11-15 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 Srinagar to Leh, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Srinagar 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 420 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
June to October only. Road closed in winter.
Local insider tip
Stay overnight at Kargil to break the journey. Visit Kargil War Memorial. Magnetic Hill near Leh is fascinating.
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Srinagar to Leh FAQs
What is the distance from Srinagar to Leh by road?
The road distance from Srinagar to Leh is 420 km via NH-1D via Kargil, running through Sonamarg, Zoji La Pass, Drass. That is the driving distance a car actually covers, not the straight-line distance.
How long does it take to drive from Srinagar to Leh?
About 10-12 hours (2-day recommended) via NH-1D via Kargil, 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 Srinagar to Leh cost?
A cab from Srinagar to Leh starts at ₹4,620 for an AC sedan, ₹6,300 for an Ertiga, ₹7,560 for an Innova Crysta and ₹9,660 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 Srinagar to Leh drive broken up?
The route passes Sonamarg then Zoji La Pass then Drass then Kargil. On a 10-12 hours (2-day recommended) journey that is a natural set of stages: take the first break around Sonamarg before the traffic thins, and plan the longer halt near Drass.
Should you break the Srinagar to Leh journey overnight?
At 10-12 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 Drass splits it comfortably.
Which vehicle is best for the Srinagar to Leh road?
This route includes hill sections, so the vehicle matters more than on a plains run. An Ertiga or Innova Crysta from ₹6,300 handles gradients and hairpins with a full load better than a sedan, and a Tempo Traveller from ₹9,660 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 Srinagar to Leh?
June to October only. Road closed in winter. 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 Srinagar 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 10-12 hours (2-day recommended) route.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Srinagar to Leh?
Self-driving Srinagar to Leh costs roughly ₹3,000 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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