Delhi to Shimla route is four-lane road by the combination of various national highways. The road distance is 306 km from ISBT Kashmiri gate to ISBT Shimla. It is 8 hours of journey from the sea level of 225 meters (Delhi) to 2500 meters (Shimla). Climate will change from scorching heat of Delhi to cold temperature of Shimla. You would have to cross maximum area of Haryana on this route. You can see open fields and green meadows inline with both sides of the road as you enter Haryana. Dhabas serves a variety of Indian food can be easily seen after regular interval on this road.
This route is the combination of national highway 44, national highway 152 and national highway 5. All the buses on this route always travel by this road only. Buses have two food stoppages while traveling to Shimla. One is at Pipli or Karnal and second at Sanwara near Dharampur. You can easily get standard, Deluxe and Volvo buses from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Online booking facility by Red Bus, Go Ibibo and make my trip is available from their website. HPTDC also operates Volvo buses on this route can be booked from the official website of Himachal Tourism Development Corporation. Buses also depart overnight and can reach Shimla in 8 to 9 hours.
People traveling by own vehicle or taxi can have food stoppage at Pipli and next stoppage anywhere after Parwanoo. Your vehicle would cross notable cities like Kurukshetra and Panipat between Delhi to Ambala. There is five toll plaza on this route. You can stop on these cities to have a little city round. Ambala is a famous town to get heavy discount on saris, gents suite length, and shoes. You also have an option to travel by Toy train from Kalka to Shimla. The distance between Ambala and Kalka is 60 km. But you should keep in mind that toy train takes 5 to 6 hours to reach Shimla. After Kalka, you will enter the mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Cold wind will touch the face and relive from the heat of the plains.
Stop for a while at Sanwara or Dharampur to have a cup of tea or food. Restaurants like Haveli and Hot Millions located at Dharampur. After Dharampur the Barog and Solan will be crossed. There are many fruit stalls inlined with the highway on Solan bypass road. Buy fresh fruits likes apple, plums, guava, and pomegranate from these fruit stalls. Next, you will cross Chambaghat, Kandaghat and Shoghi to reach Shimla. It takes 1 hour from Kandaghat to Shimla. You can turn to visit Chail from Kandaghat. Kandaghat to Chail is 40 km. As you enter Shoghi the administrative territory of Shimla will start. You will reach Shimla in 15 minutes after Shoghi. Shoghi to Shimla road is accidental pron area please drive safely on this route.
