Uttarakhand road trip
Delhi to Nainital by Self Drive Car
Driving to Nainital lets you stay by the lake and still explore the quieter lakes, orchards and temples of the Kumaon hills. You are not tied to train arrival times at Kathgodam, and you can head on to Mukteshwar or Kainchi Dham whenever you like.
- Distance310 km
- Drive time7–8 hours
- Ideal trip4 days
- TerrainHills
The drive from Delhi to Nainital
Route: Delhi–Meerut Expressway to Dasna, NH9 via Hapur, Garhmukteshwar and Moradabad, then Rampur, Rudrapur, Haldwani and Kathgodam.
Leave Delhi on the Delhi–Meerut Expressway to Dasna and continue on NH9, a wide highway through Hapur, across the Ganga at Garhmukteshwar and on to Moradabad. After Moradabad and Rampur you turn north on a busier road through Rudrapur and Haldwani, where town traffic is slow and speed breakers are frequent. The last 35 km from Kathgodam climb through Jeolikot on a well-made but winding ghat road. The alternative ghat via Kaladhungi is quieter but narrower. Aim to reach Kathgodam by mid-afternoon, as the climb is far more tiring in the dark, and fog can roll in quickly in winter and during the monsoon.
Best time to go: March to June and October to December, with occasional snow in January for those prepared to drive in it.
Stops on the way
- Delhi0 km
Pick up your car at home, the airport or a station. Leave early to clear city traffic.
- Garhmukteshwar~100 km
The highway crosses the Ganga at Brajghat, where the riverside ghats make a calm short break.
- Gajraula~130 km
Highway food plazas cluster here, making it a popular breakfast stop on NH9.
- Moradabad~165 km
Known for its brassware; use the bypass to avoid the crowded city centre.
- Rudrapur~240 km
A large industrial town with plenty of fuel stations and ATMs, though traffic slows through the market stretch.
- Kathgodam~280 km
Where the plains end and the ghat road begins; top up fuel and take a short break before the climb.
- Nainital~310 km
You have arrived. Park, check in and explore.
Things to do in Nainital
- Boating on Naini Lake and an evening walk along Mall Road
- Naina Devi temple on the lake's northern shore
- Snow View Point by ropeway for Himalayan views on clear days
- Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal, quieter lakes within an hour's drive
- Kainchi Dham on the Almora road, best visited on a weekday morning
- Mukteshwar's orchards and cliff-top views, about 50 km away
Driving tips for this route
- On busy weekends and holidays, police often stop vehicles at the town's outskirts and direct them to parking lots with shuttle services. Confirm your hotel has parking before you go.
- Mall Road has timed traffic restrictions and limited parking, so walk once you have parked.
- From Rudrapur onwards, speed breakers and town traffic slow things down; keep an hour in hand.
- In winter, fog in the plains between Rampur and Haldwani can be dense in the early morning, so leave a little later and drive on low beams.
- Use second gear on the descent to Kathgodam and never overtake on blind bends.
Best cars for Delhi to Nainital
Estimated rental cost for a 4-day trip
| Car | Rent (4 days) | Est. distance | Free km | Extra km cost | Est. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Seltos | ₹13,676 | ~700 km | 1,200 km | None | ₹13,676 |
| Maruti Suzuki Swift | ₹6,836 | ~700 km | 1,200 km | None | ₹6,836 |
| Toyota Innova Crysta | ₹20,136 | ~700 km | 1,200 km | None | ₹20,136 |
Estimate assumes a round trip of 620 km plus some local driving. Fuel, tolls (FASTag), parking and any state entry tax are extra. Refundable deposit applies. Your exact quote depends on dates and car availability.
Delhi to Nainital self drive: FAQs
Which car should I take to Nainital?
The Kia Seltos is comfortable on NH9 and confident on the ghat climb. A Maruti Swift is easier to park in Nainital's tight spots if there are only two or three of you. Families of six or seven will find the Toyota Innova Crysta the most relaxed choice for the long plains stretch.
Kathgodam or Kaladhungi, which ghat road is better?
The Kathgodam–Jeolikot road is wider and has more traffic, fuel and food along the way. The Kaladhungi route is quieter and passes Jim Corbett's old home, but it is narrower. In the monsoon, check which one is clear before deciding.
Is parking a problem in Nainital?
During peak season and long weekends, yes. A hotel with its own parking is the simplest option; otherwise you may be directed to a lot outside town and a shuttle in. Off-season weekdays are much easier.
Ready for Nainital? Book your self drive car now.
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