Chandigarh to Shimla Self-Drive: Itinerary, Stops & Best SUVs

The Tricity's easiest hill escape. Leave after breakfast, lunch in Solan, sunset on the Mall.

Chandigarh to Shimla is the gateway Himachal drive — short enough to do over a weekend, scenic enough to make you forget the work week. Here's the no-fluff itinerary we recommend to every first-timer renting a self-drive car from us.

The route

• Distance: 113 km via NH5
• Drive time: 3.5–4 hours with one coffee stop
• Route: Chandigarh → Zirakpur → Parwanoo → Solan → Kandaghat → Shimla
• Toll: roughly ₹250 each way

Where to stop

Pinjore Gardens for a 30-minute photo break, Timber Trail Parwanoo for a cable-car coffee, or the Karol Bagh dhaba just past Solan for Himachali sidu. Most drivers do one stop on the way up, two on the way down.

Best self-drive cars for Shimla

• Maruti Swift Auto — easy in Shimla's tight roads
• Mahindra Thar Roxx — fun and Instagram-friendly
• Toyota Fortuner Legender — comfortable for a family of seven
• Mahindra Scorpio Classic — value-for-money workhorse

Sample 2-day plan

• Day 1: 8 AM leave Chandigarh → noon at hotel → Mall Road evening
• Day 2: Kufri morning → Chail lunch → back to Tricity by 9 PM

We deliver to your doorstep in Chandigarh the previous night. WhatsApp 6239290767 with your dates to lock the car.