The Delhi–Manali route is one of North India's most popular road trips, covering roughly 540 km and taking anywhere from 12 to 14 hours if driven straight, though we'd strongly recommend breaking the journey into two days.
Route: Delhi → Chandigarh → Bilaspur → Mandi → Kullu → Manali via NH44 and NH3. The stretch from Mandi onwards hugs the Beas river and gets progressively more scenic.
Where to stop: Chandigarh makes a comfortable first night if you're leaving Delhi in the afternoon. Kullu is worth a couple of hours for its riverside setting and apple orchards before the final climb into Manali.
Best time to drive: April to June and September to November offer the clearest roads. Avoid the July–August monsoon stretch, when landslides are common on the hill sections, and winter (Dec–Feb) requires snow chains beyond Kullu.
Pack layered clothing regardless of season — temperatures drop quickly once you're past Mandi, even in summer.
