Delhi to Kufri Distance: Route, Travel Time and Complete Road Trip Guide (2026)

Delhi to Kufri is one of the most popular weekend road trips from the capital. At 373 km, Kufri is reachable in 7 to 8.5 hours by car - comfortably doable as a Friday evening or Saturday morning departure for a 2-night Himalayan snow or mountain holiday. The route via NH-44 (Delhi-Chandigarh Expressway) and NH-5 (Kalka-Shimla Highway) is well-maintained and entirely on national highways until the final 13 km mountain approach to Kufri.

Best Route: Delhi to Kufri by Road

Recommended Route: Delhi (NH-44 north) - Panipat - Ambala - Chandigarh (275 km from Delhi) - Panchkula - Kalka (NH-5) - Dharampur - Solan - Shimla - Kufri

This is the fastest and most reliable route. NH-44 from Delhi to Chandigarh is a 6-lane expressway with good fuel stations, dhabas, and rest stops throughout. The expressway from Delhi to Chandigarh takes 3.5 to 4 hours in good traffic (early morning). From Chandigarh, the Kalka-Shimla section climbs steadily through mountain terrain for approximately 3 hours.

Delhi to Kufri: Stage-by-Stage Drive Guide

Delhi to Chandigarh (275 km | 3.5-4 hours): The NH-44 Delhi-Chandigarh Expressway is 6-lane, well-maintained, and has toll plazas at Murthal, Karnal, and Chandigarh. Stop at Murthal (80 km from Delhi) for paratha breakfast - the dhabas here are a beloved road trip tradition. Fuel at a major petrol station in Chandigarh or Panchkula before leaving the plains.

Chandigarh to Kalka (35 km | 45 minutes): Follow NH-7 through Panchkula toward Kalka. The road is flat and fast. Kalka is the base of the mountain climb - the last major flat terrain before Kufri.

Kalka to Shimla via NH-5 (90 km | 2.5-3 hours): The mountain climb begins at Kalka. NH-5 winds through pine and oak forests, gaining altitude continuously. Key stops: Solan (1,468 metres) for tea and snacks, approximately 40 km after Kalka. The road surface is generally good but the curves slow average speed to 25-35 km/h. Overtaking is limited - be patient behind trucks.

Shimla to Kufri (13 km | 25-30 minutes): Take the Shimla bypass at the junction before the main Shimla bus stand area. Follow the Hindustan-Tibet Highway toward Narkanda. Kufri is 13 km from the bypass junction. Well-signed throughout.

Delhi to Kufri by Train and Bus

Train + cab combination: Take an express train from New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin station to Kalka (4-5 hours). From Kalka station, hire a cab directly to Kufri (90 km, approximately 3 hours, Rs 2,500-3,500). Or board the Kalka-Shimla toy train to Shimla (5-6 hours) and then take a local cab to Kufri.

Key trains Delhi to Kalka: Himalayan Queen (departs New Delhi 6:00 am, arrives Kalka ~10:20 am), Kalka Mail (overnight), Shatabdi to Chandigarh then bus to Kalka. Book on IRCTC 2-4 weeks ahead for weekend travel.

Bus: HRTC and private Volvo buses run from Delhi's Kashmiri Gate ISBT to Shimla (7-8 hours, overnight sleeper buses available). From Shimla, take a local cab to Kufri (Rs 400-600).

Delhi to Kufri Road Trip Tips

Departure time matters most: Leave Delhi by 4:30-5:00 am on Saturday morning to clear Delhi before 6 am and the expressway before traffic builds. An early departure gets you to Kufri by 12-1 pm with a half-day of activities. A 7 am departure from Delhi can mean 10+ hour drive on weekends due to expressway congestion.

FASTag is essential: The Delhi-Chandigarh expressway has multiple toll plazas that are cash + FASTag. Without FASTag, the cash lane queues on holiday weekends can add 30-45 minutes. Ensure FASTag is loaded before departure.

Avoid Friday evenings: The NH-44 from Delhi toward Chandigarh on Friday evenings from 5-9 pm is extremely congested due to the simultaneous departure of Delhi weekenders. Saturday morning departures (4:30-6:00 am) are always faster than Friday evening departures.

Winter (December-February) special advice: Check HP Traffic Police Twitter and the Shimla Meteorological Office before leaving Delhi in winter. Fresh snowfall on the Shimla-Kufri section (2,000-2,622 metres) can require chains or 4WD. The Kalka to Shimla section at lower altitude rarely closes but can be slippery.

Best Stops on the Delhi to Kufri Road Trip

Murthal (80 km from Delhi): India's most famous dhaba belt for paratha and lassi breakfast. Stop here on every Delhi-Kufri trip. Best dhabas open from 4 am - perfect for an early morning stop.

Karnal (130 km from Delhi): Good fuel stop and mid-expressway rest point. Known for dairy sweets.

Solan (305 km from Delhi, on the mountain section): Mushroom capital of India. Good road-trip lunch spot on the mountain section. Multiple restaurants and cafes.

Shimla bypass viewpoint: Before the Kufri turn, a series of viewpoints on the highway offer first glimpses of the Himalayan range on clear days. Stop for 5 minutes and take in the view after the 7-hour drive.

Frequently Asked Questions: Delhi to Kufri Distance

Q: How far is Kufri from Delhi?
Kufri is 373 km from Delhi by road via NH-44 (Delhi-Chandigarh Expressway) and NH-5 (Kalka-Shimla Highway). The drive takes 7 to 8.5 hours depending on traffic and departure time.

Q: Is Kufri accessible from Delhi in a weekend?
Yes. Kufri is one of the most accessible snow destinations from Delhi for a weekend trip. Depart Friday night or Saturday before 5 am, arrive by late morning Saturday, enjoy Saturday and Sunday at Kufri, and drive back Sunday evening to reach Delhi by midnight-1 am.

Q: What is the best transport from Delhi to Kufri?
Self-drive or hired car is the most flexible option. A hired cab from Delhi to Kufri costs Rs 4,000-6,000 one way for a sedan. The train to Kalka plus toy train to Shimla plus local cab is the most scenic combination but takes 10-12 hours total.

Q: Is the Delhi to Kufri road trip safe?
Yes. The Delhi to Chandigarh section is a modern expressway. The mountain section from Kalka to Kufri requires careful driving around curves but is a well-maintained national highway. In winter, carry chains or hire a local driver with experience on snowy mountain roads.

Q: How does Kufri compare to other hill stations near Delhi in terms of distance?
Kufri (373 km) is slightly further than Mussoorie (290 km) or Nainital (290 km) but significantly closer than Manali (570 km). For snow seekers, Kufri's guaranteed January snowfall and 5-star resort options make the extra distance worthwhile compared to other options.