The cheapest taxi option for Manali to Leh is a Sedan (Maruti Dzire or Toyota Etios) at ₹5,225 for a one-way booking. SUV (Innova/Ertiga) costs ₹6,650 and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller costs ₹9,500. All fares include fuel, driver and AC; tolls and state tax are additional at actual.
Road Trip Guide
Drive
Manali to Leh
by Car
ManaliLeh
475 km · 2 days (16-18 hours driving) drive · cab from ₹5,225
Distance
475km
Drive Time
2 days (16hrs
Highway
Cab From
₹5,225
4.9 · 10,000+ trips
How far is Leh from Manali by car?
Leh is approximately 475 km from Manali by road, a drive of about 2 days (16-18 hours driving) depending on traffic and stops. The recommended vehicle is a SUV (Innova/Ertiga), and a one-way AC cab starts at ₹5,225 (sedan), ₹6,650 (SUV), or ₹9,500 (tempo). Toll and state tax are extra. Start by 5-6 AM for the smoothest run.
Heading to Leh from Manali? Cover the 475 km stretch in approximately 2 days (16-18 hours driving). Pick the SUV (Innova/Ertiga) that fits your party — sedan, SUV or tempo. Book in two minutes with a fixed fare, verified driver and 24/7 support.
Your Route
Manali
Manali to Keylong · 115km · Moderate
Keylong to Jispa · 20km · Moderate
Jispa to Sarchu · 85km · Poor
Sarchu to Pang · 80km · Poor
Pang to Leh · 175km · Moderate
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 · 475 km total
Atal Tunnel (9.2 km), Sissu waterfall, Lahaul Valley
Bhaga River, camping paradise, last comfortable stop
Baralacha La (4,890m), high-altitude desert, yak sightings
Gata Loops (21 hairpin bends), Nakeela La, altitude sickness zone
Moore Plains, Tanglang La, Upshi, Indus Valley descent into Leh
Book This Route
Manali 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. All passes are snow-bound. Not possible.
Driving Tips
1
This is India's ULTIMATE road trip — plan 2 days minimum with overnight at Jispa or Sarchu
2
Atal Tunnel has eliminated the Rohtang Pass challenge — Keylong is now reachable in 3.5 hours from Manali
3
Carry Diamox for altitude sickness, glucose, and ORS — you will cross passes above 4,800m
4
Fill fuel at Tandi (65 km from Manali) — next reliable petrol is 365 km away at Karu near Leh
5
Acclimatize at Leh for 24 hours after arrival — do not exert yourself, drink lots of water
Food Stops
1Sissu (45 km)
2Keylong/Jispa (115 km)
3Sarchu tent camps (220 km)
4Pang tent camps (300 km)
Best Car for This Trip
We recommend SUV (Innova/Ertiga) for the Manali to Leh drive. Mountain roads and luggage space make SUVs ideal.
Fuel Planning
3 fuel stations along the route. Limited pumps on parts of this route — fill up at every opportunity.
The Manali to Leh road trip by the numbers
Distance, driving time, fuel stop counts and indicative fares verified weekly against our drivers' actual route runs.
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Total distance
one-way
0.0 hr
Driving time
plus stops
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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 Manali 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)
- WIKIManali (Wikipedia)— Himalayan hill town, Himachal Pradesh(en.wikipedia.org)
- GOVHimachal Pradesh Tourism— official Himachal tourism board (Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Spiti)(himachaltourism.gov.in)
Quick Answer
How far is Leh from Manali by car?
Leh is approximately 475 km from Manali by road. The drive takes around 2 days (16-18 hours driving) depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops. Starting early (5-6 AM) is recommended for the best experience.
FAQ
Manali to Leh Road Trip FAQs
Leh is approximately 475 km from Manali by road. The drive takes around 2 days (16-18 hours driving) depending on traffic, road conditions, and stops. Starting early (5-6 AM) is recommended for the best experience.
The Manali to Leh drive takes about 2 days (16-18 hours driving) for the 475 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 Manali 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 Manali to Leh starts at ₹5,225 for an AC Sedan (₹11/km). SUV starts at ₹6,650 (₹14/km). Tempo Traveller at ₹9,500 (₹20/km). Toll and state tax extra.
The recommended driving route from Manali to Leh follows the main national highways and expressways for the smoothest, fastest journey across 475 km. Our drivers know the optimal route, real-time diversions, and the cleanest rest stops along the way.
Yes, the Manali 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 Manali 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 Manali 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 Manali 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 Manali 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 Manali to Leh. One-way booking saves up to 50% compared to round-trip. Call 7668570551 or WhatsApp for instant quotes.
Driving from Manali 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.