Delhi → Jaisalmer Road Trip Guide

Jaisalmer is a long haul from Delhi, and the drive is straightforward but demanding: long straight desert highways, sparse fuel stations, and a golden city at the end of it worth every hour.

The route

Delhi → Jaipur → Bikaner → Jaisalmer covers the full distance on NH48 and NH52, then NH15 for the final desert stretch. Splitting the drive with an overnight in Bikaner turns a gruelling one-day push into two comfortable days.

Fuel cost

Budget ₹4,500 to ₹5,000 one-way. Desert highways are flat and fast, so mileage runs higher than in the hills, typically 15 to 16 km/l over the 740 km distance.

Road conditions

NH48 from Delhi to Jaipur is excellent, with expressway sections for part of the way. NH52 to Bikaner is a solid two-lane highway. Beyond Bikaner, NH15 to Jaisalmer is long, straight, and often empty, with fuel stations spaced far apart, so refuel whenever you drop below half a tank. Dust storms and strong crosswinds are common between April and June, and stray cattle or camels on the road make night driving worth avoiding.

Food stops

• •Neemrana or Shahpura dhabas on the Delhi–Jaipur stretch
• •Bikaner for a proper lunch stop, and a chance to pick up bhujia and rasgulla for the road
• •Roadside dhabas thin out considerably between Bikaner and Jaisalmer, so carry extra water and snacks

Scenic viewpoints

• •Junagarh Fort, worth a detour in Bikaner
• •The sand dunes starting to appear near Pokhran
• •Sam and Khuri Sand Dunes near Jaisalmer for sunset
• •Jaisalmer Fort at golden hour, lit up against the desert sky

Hotel suggestions

Break the journey with a heritage hotel stay in Bikaner. Near Jaisalmer, a night at a desert camp by the Sam Dunes is worth building into the itinerary, and heritage havelis in or around Jaisalmer Fort make a memorable final stay.

Ready to host your own trip?

Put what you just read to work and find a crew on TripBass.