Noida to Nainitaal Road Trip- 2 Day Itinerary for Nature lovers
Distance - Appx 300 km
Driving Time - 6-7 hours (depends on driving)
Best time to visit- Mar to June, Sep to Nov
Quick Overview -
Toll-350 to 400 (one way)
Fuel- 3000 to 3500 (depends on car fuel type)
Car - suv or compact suv (hilly terrain)
Route- Noida-Ghaziabad-Moradabad-Rampur-Kaladhungi-Nainitaal
Day 1- Morning start to Evening Bliss (starts from 5 Am-6 Am)
. Starts from noida via DND flyway or sector 62
. Take NH 9 to ghaziabad than merge onto NH 509 towards moradabad
Stop for breakfast at Gajraula- there are lots of restaurants and dhaba on highway. You can have aloo paratha with curd(best to start).
Mid-Journey tea Break (11:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
At Moradabad: Quick tea/coffee break, vehicle fuel (last good petrol pump before hills)
Scenic Pitstop through drive (1:30 PM - 2:00 PM)
Kaladhungi: Jim Corbett's farmhouse, photography stop, light lunch
Arrival in Nainital (2:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Check into hotel/homestay (book Mall Road or Tallital area for convenience)
Evening Exploration on yourself (4:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Mall Road: Stroll, street shopping, local snacks (Momo's, Bhutte ka Kees)
Naini Lake: Experience the Boating in naini lake (paddle/rowing boats available till 6:00 PM)
Naina Devi Temple: Evening aarti and spritual Darshan (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Dinner: Local Kumaoni thali at Sakley's or Machan
Day 2: Panoramic Views of Nainitaal surrounding & Return Journey
Early Morning (5:30 AM - 8:00 AM)
Tiffin Top : 30-min trek or drive, sunrise view, selfie points
Snow View Point: Cable car or short drive, Himalayan peaks (Nanda Devi, Trishul, etc)
Breakfast & Check-out (8:30 AM - 10:00 AM)
Mall Road cafes (Cafe Chica, The Oak Barrel), other options are also available.
Pack water and snacks for return journey
Hill Station Exploration (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Nainital Zoo: Rare Himalayan species (closed on Mondays)
Eco Cave Gardens: Man-made caves, hanging bridge(point of attraction)
Gurney House: Jim Corbett's former residence
Lunch & Departure (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
Quick lunch at a Mall Road restaurant before heading back
Return Journey (2:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Same route back, heavier traffic possible after 5:00 PM near Moradabad
Dinner stop: Gajraula or Moradabad dhabas around 6:30 PM
Pro Tips for Self-Drive
Road Conditions:
NH-9 is excellent till Moradabad (4-lane highway)
Moradabad to Nainital: Good single road, winding after Kaladhungi
Night driving in hills not recommended (fog, stray animals)
Parking in Nainital:
Mall Road is pedestrian-only (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
Use paid parking at Flats Parking or Mallital (?100-200/day)
Book hotels with parking to avoid hassle
Essential Items:
Valid ID, driving license, car documents
Warm clothes (evenings get cold year-round)
Cash (ATMs available but keep backup)
Basic medical kit + motion sickness tablets
Fuel Stations:
Last reliable petrol pump: Moradabad
Nainital has multiple pumps but closes by 8:00 PM
Budget Estimate (Per Person)
Expense Cost
Fuel (shared among 4) ?900
Toll (shared) ?100
Accommodation ?1,500-2,500(400-600 among 4)
Food ?800-1,200
Boating/Sightseeing ?300-500
Why Self-Drive Beats Other Options
Factor Self-Drive Car Bus/Taxi
Flexibility Stop anywhere, anytime Fixed schedule
Privacy Complete Shared with strangers
Cost (Group of 4) ~?1,200/person ~?1,800/person (volvo)
Luggage Space Unlimited Limited
Hill Driving Experience ?? ?
Ready to hit the road? Book your perfect self-drive car from Noida today—choose from compact hatchbacks for couples to spacious SUVs for families. We also offers unlimited km access.
Need a car? Check our fleet at www.carandcab.com or visit our gaur city road Noida pickup points.*
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers to common questions when planning a road trip, self-drive journey or travel experience.
How do I start planning a memorable travel journey?
Start by choosing the destination and travel experience you want, then plan realistic travel time, transportation, accommodation, budget and activities around it.
How many days should I plan for a road trip?
The ideal duration depends on the distance, destinations and pace of your trip. Allow enough time for driving, rest stops and unexpected delays instead of planning every hour of the journey.
Is self-drive travel a good option for a road trip?
Self-drive travel can provide greater flexibility over routes, stops and travel timing. Choose a vehicle that suits your group, luggage, route and expected driving conditions.
How can I make my travel itinerary less stressful?
Keep your itinerary flexible, avoid packing too many destinations into one day and leave time for meals, rest, traffic and unexpected changes along the route.
What should I consider before a road trip?
Check your route, weather, vehicle condition, fuel or charging availability, accommodation, documents and emergency contacts before starting your journey.
How can I make a road trip safer?
Follow speed limits, take regular breaks, avoid driving when tired, check road and weather conditions and keep essential emergency information accessible throughout the journey.
