By Manjot Kaur · 27 October 2026
Manali to Shimla by car is about 235 km via Kullu, Mandi, Sundernagar and Ghaghas, and takes 7 to 8 hours with a meal stop, so leave Manali by 8 am to reach Shimla before dark. For the drive back, the Jalori Pass road through Narkanda, Ani and Banjar (about 258 km) is the more scenic choice while it stays open, but it needs a full day of daylight and a black ice check on the morning you go. In Shimla itself, do not plan to drive to the Mall: park at a public car park and walk.
Rent a car in Manali for three days and the 300 km a day included on the listings covers the whole loop with room to spare. See self-drive cars in Manali, then use the route tables, timings and parking notes below to plan the trip.
Shimla seen from the Mall. The town is about 235 km from Manali by car, but the Mall and the Ridge are closed to private cars, so plan where to park before you arrive. Photo: Debraj Nandi / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Key takeaways
- Distance: about 235 km via the Bajaura to Kataula road, Mandi and Ghaghas; about 13 km more on the NH3 through Aut and Pandoh; about 258 km over Jalori Pass.
- Time: 7 to 8 hours on the Mandi route, 8 to 9 hours over Jalori. The last 83 km from Ghaghas to Shimla takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Daylight: sunset in Shimla is at about 5:38 pm on 27 October and about 5:27 pm on 10 November.
- Jalori: open to all traffic on 25 October 2026, with a black ice warning between the pass and Shoja after light snow. Avoid it if snow or rain is forecast.
- Shimla parking: no private cars on the Mall, the Ridge or the sealed and restricted roads; no parking on the Cart Road. Use the Lift, ISBT or Chhota Shimla car parks.
- Rental: a Maruti Jimny cost Rs 4,299 a day in Manali on 27 October 2026, with 300 km a day included, Rs 16 per extra km and a Rs 5,000 refundable deposit.
Two ways to drive from Manali to Shimla
There are two sensible road routes between Manali and Shimla. Both start down the Beas valley through Kullu; they split near Aut. The Mandi route is the one buses, trucks and most drivers use. The Jalori route climbs over a 3,120 m pass on NH-305 and comes into Shimla from the north, through apple country around Narkanda and Theog.
Via Mandi and GhaghasVia Jalori Pass and Narkanda DistanceAbout 235 km (about 248 km on the NH3 via Pandoh)About 258 km Realistic time7 to 8 hours with stops8 to 9 hours with stops Highest pointNo pass; Manali and Shimla are the high pointsJalori Pass, 3,120 m RoadHighway with four-lane sections to Ghaghas, then a two-lane hill roadNarrow and steep on both sides of the pass, then the NH5 to Narkanda Best forAny weather, the first day, late startsClear, dry days with an early start; the drive back to Manali Drive down on the Mandi route, which is predictable and gets you in before dark, and decide on the morning of the return whether Jalori is worth it. If not, drive back the way you came.
The Mandi route, stretch by stretch
Distances are from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM) between town centres, rounded. Your odometer will differ a little.
StretchDistanceRunning totalWhat to expect Manali to Kullu41 km41 kmDown the Beas valley on the NH3. Slow through Kullu town in the morning. Kullu to Bajaura14 km55 kmPast Bhuntar to the Kataula turn at Bajaura. Bajaura to Kataula30 km84 kmNarrow, winding district road over the ridge. Use the NH3 instead after rain. Kataula to Mandi and Ner Chowk35 km119 kmDown to Mandi and on to Ner Chowk. Good place for breakfast or lunch. Ner Chowk to Sundernagar9 km128 kmBypass and four-lane sections. Sundernagar to Ghaghas24 km152 kmPast Barmana into Bilaspur district. Ghaghas is where you turn off for Shimla. Ghaghas to Darlaghatabout 38 kmabout 190 kmTwo-lane road through Namhol, climbing into Solan district. Darlaghat to Shimlaabout 44 km234 kmVia Shalaghat and Ghanahatti to Tara Devi and the town. Expect slow traffic for the last 10 km. Kataula or the NH3? The Bajaura to Kataula road saves about 13 km but is narrow and twisty. The NH3 through Bhuntar, the Aut tunnel and Pandoh to Mandi is wider and busier, and it is the safer choice after rain or if you are not used to mountain roads. Our Delhi to Manali by car guide covers the Mandi to Manali stretch, the speed limit and the tunnel works in detail.
Ghaghas to Shimla: this is the slow part of the day. After Ghaghas the road is an ordinary two-lane hill highway with bends, trucks and village markets. There is no four-lane here yet: NHAI was still re-surveying the alignment of the planned Shimla to Shalaghat four-lane in February 2026, according to Amar Ujala. Budget 2.5 to 3 hours for these 83 km.
Tolls and tax: because you never leave Himachal Pradesh, there is no state entry tax on this trip. If you use the Kiratpur to Ner Chowk four-lane between Sundernagar and Ghaghas, you will pass the Baloh toll plaza at the Mandi and Bilaspur border; Dainik Jagran reported a car rate of Rs 115 one way and Rs 175 for a return journey from June 2025. Rates change, so keep enough FASTag balance for both directions.
Timing: when to leave Manali
Leave by 8 am. That gets you through Kullu before the morning traffic, to Mandi or Ner Chowk by about 11 am for an early lunch, to Ghaghas by about 1 pm and into Shimla between 3:30 and 4 pm, with about 90 minutes of daylight to park and check in.
DateSunrise in ManaliSunset in Shimla 27 October6:33 am5:38 pm 10 November6:45 am5:27 pm 20 November6:55 am5:22 pm Times are calculated for the two towns. In the valleys the sun goes behind the ridges earlier. If you cannot leave Manali before 11 am, stop the night in Mandi.
Coming back over Jalori Pass
The Jalori route turns the trip into a loop. From Shimla you drive through Kufri and Theog to Narkanda on the NH5, drop to the Sutlej near Luhri, then follow NH-305 north through Ani and Khanag to Jalori Pass. On the far side the road falls through Shoja, Jibhi and Banjar to the NH3 at the Aut tunnel.
StretchDistanceRunning totalWhat to expect Shimla to Kufriabout 15 kmabout 15 kmOut through Dhalli. Leave with a full tank. Kufri to Narkandaabout 55 kmabout 70 kmNH5 through Theog and the apple orchards. Narkanda to Luhriabout 23 kmabout 93 kmA long descent to the Sutlej. Luhri to Aniabout 22 kmabout 115 kmNH-305 follows a side valley north. Ani to Jalori Passabout 29 kmabout 144 kmSteep, narrow climb through Khanag to 3,120 m. Jalori Pass to Aut tunnelabout 41 kmabout 185 kmDown through Shoja, Jibhi and Banjar. Black ice risk near the top. Aut tunnel to Manaliabout 73 km258 kmNH3 through Bhuntar and Kullu. Running totals come from the OSRM route between Shimla and Manali; individual stretches are approximate.
The meadow at Jalori Pass, 3,120 m, looking towards the Great Himalayan National Park. This is the highest point of the loop and the first place to freeze. June 2017. Photo: Manish57335 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Black ice and road status this week
Light snow fell between Jalori Pass and Shoja on the night of 24 October. Amar Ujala reported on 25 October 2026 that traffic on NH-305, buses included, was moving normally, but that black ice, a thin, almost invisible layer of ice, could form in the morning, evening and at night. The Banjar DSP asked drivers to keep speeds down, avoid sudden braking and sharp turns, and put off non-essential travel when the road is snowy or slippery.
What that means for a rental car:
- Cross the pass in the middle of the day. Leave Shimla by 7:30 am and you reach Jalori at about midday, when the road surface is at its warmest.
- Ask on the morning you go. Your hotel, or the police at Banjar, will know whether vehicles crossed the day before.
- Turn back early if in doubt. The Mandi route is always the fallback.
- Do not treat 4x4 as a guarantee. Four-wheel drive helps you pull away on snow, but it does not help you stop on ice.
The pass usually stays open until heavy snow arrives, often in December, and reopens after clearance in spring. Our guide to which Manali roads stay open in November covers the rules for snow, tyres and four-wheel drive around Manali.
Break the drive at Jibhi
Stop the night at Jibhi or Shoja and the return splits into roughly 160 km and 100 km. Our Banjar, Tirthan and Jibhi guide describes the valley, though it is written for a bike day from Bhuntar.
Forest highway near Narkanda, the turning point of the loop before the descent to the Sutlej. June 2015. Photo: Ashish Gupta from Noida, India / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Driving and parking in Shimla
Shimla is the part of the trip that catches out first-time drivers. Most of the old town is closed to private cars. According to the Shimla district administration, all the roads leading from the Cart Road up to the Mall are sealed or restricted roads, vehicles need a permit to use them, parking along the Cart Road itself is prohibited, and fines for breaking the rules are heavy.
The main public parking places listed by the district are:
- ISBT parking
- the car park near the Lift, with space for about 800 vehicles, which is the most convenient for the Mall
- the car park near the High Court
- the Railway Station godown parking near the Victory Tunnel
- the Old Bus Stand parking
- Chhota Shimla and Sanjauli parking
Under the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians Act, a tourist can apply for a restricted road pass at a tourist facilitation centre named by the Deputy Commissioner, at Rs 100 per vehicle per restricted road per day, for up to seven days. Vehicles with a pass must keep to 20 km/h and the pass does not give you the right to park on those roads. For most visitors the simplest plan is a hotel with its own parking, or a public car park for the length of your stay.
Parked cars on a hillside road in Shimla, August 2024. Space is tight across the town. Photo: Utpal Datta / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The weather this week
The IMD Shimla bulletin of 27 October 2026 forecast dry weather across Himachal on 27 and 28 October, with a western disturbance due from the night of the 27th. It expected rain or snow at scattered places on 29 and 30 October, with thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places on both days, and at isolated places from 31 October to 2 November. Its highway forecast for the Swarghat to Kullu corridor and the Kullu to Keylong road on those dates mentioned light rain or snow at isolated places.
Shimla recorded a minimum of 10.2°C and Manali 5.9°C on the morning of 27 October. If your return falls on 29 or 30 October, come back via Mandi rather than over Jalori.
A three-day and a four-day plan
Three days: down via Mandi, back over Jalori
- Day 1: Manali to Shimla via Mandi, about 235 km. Leave by 8 am, park and check in by about 4 pm, and walk the Mall and the Ridge in the evening.
- Day 2: a day in Shimla on foot, or a short drive to Kufri. Ask your hotel about the next morning's road over Jalori.
- Day 3: Shimla to Manali over Jalori, about 258 km, leaving by 7:30 am. If the pass is not clear, drive back via Mandi instead.
Four days: add a night at Jibhi
- Day 1: Manali to Shimla via Mandi.
- Day 2: Shimla.
- Day 3: Shimla to Jibhi over Jalori, about 160 km.
- Day 4: Jibhi to Manali, about 100 km.
Which car to rent, and the kilometre maths
On 27 October 2026, the Hire N Ride Manali listings included several Maruti Jimny 4x4s, a Mahindra Thar and a Toyota Fortuner. The Jimny suits this trip: it is compact for the Jalori road and Shimla's tight parking, and it seats four, so pack soft bags.
Car (Manali listing, 27 Oct 2026)Daily rentIncluded kmExtra kmDeposit Maruti Jimny (4WD, manual, petrol, 4 seats)Rs 4,299300 km a dayRs 16Rs 5,000 refundable Mahindra TharRs 5,399300 km a dayRs 20Rs 5,000 refundable Fuel is not included. Prices change with dates, so check the listing for your trip.
The maths: the loop is about 235 km down plus 258 km back over Jalori, or about 470 km if you return via Mandi. Add 30 to 50 km for driving around Shimla and Kufri and you are at roughly 500 to 550 km.
- Three days: 900 km included, which covers the loop with plenty in hand. The Jimny's rent comes to Rs 12,897 at the listed rate, before fuel and tolls.
- Two days: 600 km included, which would just about cover the distance, but you would spend both days driving and get almost no time in Shimla.
Check the tyres and spare at pickup. For other drives from Manali, see our Himachal car and bike rental guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Shimla from Manali by car?
About 235 km on the usual route through Kullu, the Bajaura to Kataula road, Mandi, Sundernagar and Ghaghas, based on OpenStreetMap routing between the town centres. Staying on the NH3 through the Aut tunnel and Pandoh to Mandi adds roughly 13 km. The Jalori Pass route through Banjar, Ani, Luhri and Narkanda is about 258 km.
How long does the Manali to Shimla drive take?
Plan 7 to 8 hours with a meal stop on the Mandi route. The last 83 km from Ghaghas to Shimla is a two-lane hill road and takes 2.5 to 3 hours on its own. The Jalori route is slower: allow 8 to 9 hours of daylight, more if you stop at the pass.
Is the Jalori Pass road open in late October?
On 25 October 2026 Amar Ujala reported that traffic on NH-305, including buses, was moving normally after light snow between Jalori Pass and Shoja, but that black ice could form in the morning, evening and at night. The pass usually closes after heavy snow in winter. Check with the Banjar police or your hotel on the morning you drive, and use the Mandi route if snow, rain or ice is forecast.
Can I drive to the Mall Road or the Ridge in Shimla?
No. The Mall, the Ridge and the roads up to them from the Cart Road are sealed or restricted roads, closed to private cars without a permit. Park at a public car park such as the one near the Lift, the ISBT or Chhota Shimla. Parking along the Cart Road is prohibited.
Do I need a 4x4 to drive from Manali to Shimla?
Not on the Mandi route in dry weather, which is tarmac throughout. A higher-clearance car such as the Jimny or Thar is more comfortable on the steep, narrow Jalori road, and four-wheel drive helps if you meet frost or a thin layer of snow, but it does not make black ice safe. If the pass is icy, take the Mandi route.
How many days should I rent a car for a Manali to Shimla trip?
Three days is the practical minimum: one day to drive down, one day in Shimla and one day to drive back. Hire N Ride's Manali car listings include 300 km a day, so a three-day booking gives 900 km, which comfortably covers the roughly 500 km loop plus local driving. With two days you would have 600 km and almost no time in Shimla.
Conclusion
Manali to Shimla by car is an easy day on paper and a long one in practice. Take the Mandi route down, leave by 8 am and give the Ghaghas to Shimla road the time it needs. Do not drive into the old town; use a hotel or public car park. Jalori makes a fine loop home on a clear, dry day, but with this week's black ice warning and rain forecast for 29 and 30 October, decide on the morning. Book three days and the kilometres take care of themselves.
Ready to drive? Book a self-drive car in Manali with Hire N Ride and choose the one that suits your Shimla trip.
About the author
Manjot Kaur writes road trip and car rental guides for Hire N Ride, covering Himachal Pradesh and the routes out of Manali. She checks weather bulletins, road reports and listed prices against current sources before every post.
