Rishikesh to Badrinath by road — the complete guide

The Rishikesh–Badrinath highway (NH-7, formerly NH-58) is one of the most dramatic mountain roads in India. You'll climb from 372m at Rishikesh to 3,133m at Badrinath, crossing five sacred river confluences (prayags) along the way. The road hugs the Alaknanda river for most of the journey, winding through gorges, past waterfalls, and through small Garhwali towns where life moves at its own pace.

The 295 km drive takes roughly 10 hours in good conditions, though you should budget 11–12 hours with meal stops and photo breaks. The road is two-lane for its entire length, with frequent hairpin bends after Rudraprayag. It's paved all the way, but landslides during monsoon (July–September) can cause delays of a few hours to a full day.

You'll leave Rishikesh on NH-7 heading north, passing through Shivpuri (the rafting camp area) and Byasi. The road climbs gently through sal and teak forests, with the Ganga on your left. At Kaudiyala, you'll see Class IV rapids that rafters tackle on multi-day trips.

After Kaudiyala, the valley narrows and the road gets twistier. You'll pass through small villages like Maletha and Dhari Devi (home to a riverside temple that was controversially relocated during the Tehri dam construction). The stretch is well-maintained and relatively easy to drive.

Devprayag is where the Bhagirathi (from Gangotri) and Alaknanda (from Badrinath) meet to form the Ganga. The sangam is visible from the road, but you should stop and walk down to the viewing platform — the two rivers are different colours and you can see the exact line where they merge.

From Devprayag, you're now following the Alaknanda river. The road passes through Srinagar (Garhwal) — not to be confused with Kashmir's Srinagar. This is the largest town between Rishikesh and Joshimath, with an army base, a university, and a busy market. Stock up on snacks and cash here; ATMs become unreliable further north.

After Srinagar, you'll pass Gauchar (which has a small airstrip) and then reach Rudraprayag, the second prayag. This is where the Mandakini river (flowing from Kedarnath) meets the Alaknanda. The town is a junction — the road splits here, with one branch going to Kedarnath and the other continuing to Badrinath.

Rudraprayag has decent dhabas and is a common lunch stop. The Mandakini-Alaknanda sangam has a viewing ghat near the town centre.

This is the most demanding stretch. The road climbs steadily, the bends get tighter, and the valley walls close in. You'll pass through Chamoli district, where the 2021 glacier burst caused massive destruction — you'll still see remnants of the damage near Raini and Tapovan.

Key stops along this section: Karnaprayag (third prayag, Alaknanda meets Pindar), Nandaprayag (fourth prayag, Alaknanda meets Nandakini), and Vishnuprayag (fifth prayag, Alaknanda meets Dhauliganga, just below Joshimath). Each confluence is worth a 5-minute stop if you have time.

The road from Chamoli to Joshimath has been heavily repaired and widened in recent years. Expect some construction zones where you'll wait 15–30 minutes for one-way traffic. Joshimath itself sits at 1,875m on a hillside — the town has been dealing with land subsidence issues since 2023, but the main road and tourist areas are stable and operational.

The final stretch follows the Alaknanda through a steep gorge. The road is narrow in places, especially around Govindghat (the trailhead for Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib). After Govindghat, you'll pass through Pandukeshwar, where the Pandavas are said to have rested.

The last 15 km to Badrinath are spectacular — you're above the treeline, with snow-capped peaks on both sides. Badrinath town appears suddenly as you round a bend, the colourful temple dome visible from the road. You've climbed 2,761 vertical metres from Rishikesh.

During peak season (May–June), there can be a traffic queue on the Joshimath–Badrinath stretch, especially early morning when everyone rushes for darshan. Leave Joshimath by 5:30 AM to beat the crowd.

The road is open from late April/early May to November. The best driving months are May, June, September, and October. May and June have clear weather but heavy pilgrim traffic. September and October have fewer crowds, stunning autumn colours, and clear Himalayan views, though the road may have some monsoon damage being repaired.

Avoid July and August unless you're specifically visiting Valley of Flowers — monsoon rains cause frequent landslides and delays. The road closes for winter sometime in November when snow blocks the passes above Joshimath.

An SUV like a Toyota Innova Crysta or Mahindra Xylo is the best choice. The higher ground clearance handles potholes and broken patches, and the ride is more comfortable on winding roads. A Tempo Traveller works for groups of 8–12 but is slower on the hairpins.

Smaller cars like a Swift or i20 can technically make the journey, but you'll feel every bump and your passengers will not thank you. Avoid sedans entirely.

Self-driving is possible but tiring — you'll need mountain driving experience, comfort with single-lane blind corners, and a willingness to reverse on narrow roads when trucks come the other way. Most travellers hire a local driver, which costs around ₹8,000 for a one-way Rishikesh–Badrinath trip.

There's no shortage of dhabas along the highway, but quality varies. Here are the reliable stops our drivers recommend:

• Kaudiyala (30 km from Rishikesh): Garhwali breakfast — aloo ke gutke, mandua roti, and chai. Simple roadside setups but fresh food.

• Srinagar (Garhwal) (105 km): The town has proper restaurants. Try the thalis at any of the dhabas near the main market. Non-veg is available here.

• Rudraprayag (145 km): Classic lunch stop. Multiple dhabas near the bus stand serve dal-rice-sabzi combos for ₹100–150. The Alaknanda view from the roadside restaurants is a bonus.

• Joshimath (250 km): If you're stopping overnight, try Sher-e-Punjab near the main market for Punjabi food, or any of the local Garhwali eateries for simpler fare.

Carry packaged snacks, water, and glucose biscuits. Between Rudraprayag and Joshimath, reliable food options are sparse for long stretches.

The highway is NH-7 (National Highway) and is maintained by BRO (Border Roads Organisation). The road surface ranges from excellent (freshly paved stretches near Srinagar) to challenging (broken patches near landslide zones between Chamoli and Joshimath).

Key safety tips:

• Always wear seatbelts. Seriously. The drops are real. • Don't drive after dark — the road is unlit, unmarked, and has no guardrails in many sections. • Check for road closure updates on the Uttarakhand PWD Twitter/X account before starting. • Keep your fuel tank full — petrol pumps exist at Rishikesh, Srinagar, Chamoli, and Joshimath. There's no pump between Chamoli and Joshimath (80 km). • Carry a basic first-aid kit and any prescription medicines. The nearest proper hospital to Badrinath is in Joshimath (45 km).