The cheapest taxi option for Delhi to Leh is a Sedan (Maruti Dzire or Toyota Etios) at ₹10,890 for a one-way booking. SUV (Innova/Ertiga) costs ₹13,860 and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller costs ₹19,800. All fares include fuel, driver and AC; tolls and state tax are additional at actual.
Road Trip Guide
Drive
Delhi to Leh
by Car
DelhiLeh
990 km · 2-3 days (30+ hours driving) drive · cab from ₹10,890
Distance
990km
Drive Time
2hrs
Highway
Cab From
₹10,890
4.9 · 10,000+ trips
How far is Leh from Delhi by car?
Leh is approximately 990 km from Delhi by road, a drive of about 2-3 days (30+ hours driving) depending on traffic and stops. The recommended vehicle is a SUV (Innova/Ertiga), and a one-way AC cab starts at ₹10,890 (sedan), ₹13,860 (SUV), or ₹19,800 (tempo). Toll and state tax are extra. Start by 5-6 AM for the smoothest run.
Heading to Leh from Delhi? Cover the 990 km stretch in approximately 2-3 days (30+ hours driving). Pick the SUV (Innova/Ertiga) that fits your party — sedan, SUV or tempo. Pay one transparent fare covering tolls and driver allowance — confirmed upfront.
Your Route
Delhi
Delhi to Chandigarh · 250km · Excellent
Chandigarh to Manali · 280km · Moderate
Manali to Keylong · 115km · Moderate
Keylong to Sarchu · 105km · Poor
Sarchu to Leh · 255km · Poor
Leh
Excellent
Good
Moderate
Poor
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4.9★ Rated · 10,000+ Trips · Instant Confirmation
Segment by Segment
The Road Ahead
5 segments · 990 km total
NH-44, starting the epic journey
Mountain roads, Kullu Valley
Atal Tunnel (9.2 km), Lahaul Valley
Baralacha La (4,890m), high-altitude desert
Gata Loops (21 hairpin bends), Tanglang La, Upshi, Indus Valley
Book This Route
Delhi to Leh Cab
All-inclusive · No hidden charges
Sedan
Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 Seater
Most Popular
SUV
Innova Crysta / Ertiga · 6-7 Seater
Tempo Traveller
12-Seater AC · 12 Seater
When to Go
Seasonal Road Conditions
Winter Driving Conditions
Dec — Feb
Route CLOSED Nov-May. Passes are snow-bound. Only Srinagar-Leh may open briefly. Flight recommended.
Driving Tips
1
This is a 3-day minimum road trip — Day 1: Delhi to Manali, Day 2: Manali to Sarchu/Jispa, Day 3: Sarchu to Leh
2
Acclimatize at Manali for a day before ascending — altitude sickness above 3,500m is serious
3
Carry Diamox (consult doctor), glucose, dry fruits — oxygen is thin above Keylong
4
Petrol stations after Manali are unreliable — fill up at Tandi (last guaranteed fuel for 365 km)
5
Inner Line Permit required for Leh — apply online at laikinh.in before your trip
Food Stops
1Chandigarh (250 km)
2Manali (530 km)
3Keylong (645 km)
4Sarchu tent camps (750 km)
Best Car for This Trip
We recommend SUV (Innova/Ertiga) for the Delhi to Leh drive. Mountain roads and luggage space make SUVs ideal.
Fuel Planning
6 fuel stations along the route. Well-spaced stations. Fill up once mid-route for a comfortable buffer.
The Delhi to Leh road trip by the numbers
Distance, driving time, fuel stop counts and indicative fares verified weekly against our drivers' actual route runs.
0 km
Total distance
one-way
0.0 hr
Driving time
plus stops
₹0
Sedan from
all-inclusive
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Fuel stops
recommended en-route
The single biggest mistake first-time road-trippers make on Delhi–Manali is not stopping at Mandi for lunch. Plan your fuel and food stops in advance — it cuts your real travel time by an hour because you're not hunting for somewhere on the way.
Pankaj Singh Gaur
Founder & CEO, Triveni Cabs
Road Trip Q&A
More about driving from Delhi to Leh
Verified against these sources
Verified against official tourism, transport and weather data. We refresh these sources quarterly.
- GOVNational Highways Authority of India (NHAI)— official toll plaza, FASTag and national-highway data(nhai.gov.in)
- GOVParivahan Seva (Ministry of Road Transport)— official commercial vehicle permit and tax portal(parivahan.gov.in)
- GOVDelhi Tourism— official Delhi tourism board(delhitourism.gov.in)
- REFDelhi International Airport (DIAL)— official IGI Airport terminal, flight and pickup information(newdelhiairport.in)
Quick Answer
How far is Leh from Delhi by car?
Leh is approximately 990 km from Delhi by road. The drive takes around 2-3 days (30+ hours driving) depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops. Starting early (5-6 AM) is recommended for the best experience.
FAQ
Delhi to Leh Road Trip FAQs
Leh is approximately 990 km from Delhi by road. The drive takes around 2-3 days (30+ hours driving) depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops. Starting early (5-6 AM) is recommended for the best experience.
The Delhi to Leh drive takes about 2-3 days (30+ hours driving) for the 990 km journey, including short breaks. Early-morning departures avoid city traffic and, on hill routes, let you cover the mountain stretches in daylight.
For the Delhi to Leh drive, a SUV (Innova/Ertiga) is recommended. For families, an SUV like Innova/Ertiga offers more space and comfort. Solo travellers or couples can opt for a sedan like Swift Dzire.
A cab from Delhi to Leh starts at ₹10,890 for an AC Sedan (₹11/km). SUV starts at ₹13,860 (₹14/km). Tempo Traveller at ₹19,800 (₹20/km). Toll and state tax extra.
The recommended driving route from Delhi to Leh follows the main national highways and expressways for the smoothest, fastest journey across 990 km. Our drivers know the optimal route, real-time diversions, and the cleanest rest stops along the way.
Yes, the Delhi to Leh route is generally safe with well-maintained highways for most stretches. However, mountain sections (if any) require careful driving. We recommend experienced drivers for hill routes, especially during monsoon and winter.
Popular food stops on the Delhi to Leh route include highway dhabas and restaurants at major towns en route. Our drivers know the best clean and hygienic food stops. We recommend stopping every 2-3 hours for refreshments.
October to March is generally the most comfortable window for the Delhi to Leh drive, with pleasant weather and clear roads. Avoid peak monsoon on hill routes due to landslide risk, and start at 5-6 AM year-round to beat traffic and heat.
A one-way cab from Delhi to Leh is cheapest if you are not returning, saving up to 50% versus round-trip. Choose round-trip if you plan to come back within a day or two and want the same driver and vehicle waiting for you.
There are several fuel stations and rest stops spaced along the Delhi to Leh highway. On remote or hill stretches, pumps thin out, so our drivers top up the tank in advance and plan rest breaks every 2-3 hours.
Yes, Triveni Cabs offers both one-way and round-trip cab service from Delhi to Leh. One-way booking saves up to 50% compared to round-trip. Call 7668570551 or WhatsApp for instant quotes.
Driving from Delhi to Leh gives door-to-door convenience, luggage freedom, and the ability to stop at sights and dhabas en route — ideal for families and groups. A train or flight may be faster for very long distances, but loses the flexibility and scenic experience of a road trip. A chauffeur cab removes driving fatigue while keeping all the road-trip benefits.